Absences can disrupt a student’s coursework temporarily. In the event of an emergency the Dean of Students can assist students with a class absence notification, however, students are not required to do so. This notification is a courtesy alert to inform faculty of a verified reason for missing class and does NOT override the professor’s attendance or grading policies.
Please note- this is a REQUEST. Students are advised to review the course syllabus for the course policy regarding class absences and to reach out to their individual instructors on their own if they are able. Any decision to adjust the course requirements or excuse a student from class is at the faculty member’s discretion. The Dean of Students office’s absence notification process is interned to raise a level of awareness regarding a student’s absence due to an unexpected emergency. It is not intended to dictate a faculty member’s decision regarding the absence and/or missed coursework. The Dean of Students Office does NOT have the authority to excuse students for absences.
Notifications must be timely and specific. Please submit your request as soon as possible.
Student was hospitalized for a period of time, causing them to miss class
Student needs to attend a memorial service for an immediate family member that has passed away (documentation required)
A student was a victim of a crime
*Please contact faculty directly if any of these circumstances are a reason for a faculty member to consider an absence request
Absences lasting two consecutive days or less
Absences lasting more than 7 consecutive days
Absences related to follow up care required after surgery
Absences related to COVID-19 or other communicable diseases
Travel issues or weather-related delays
Doctor or Dentist Appointments
Technology Issues
Absences related to non-emergency absences (i.e. sick/cold, flu, allergies, nausea, staph infection, strep throat, mono, headaches, sprains/falls, or family member acute illness)
The Student Emergency and Absence Notification is NOT for medical withdrawal or medical leave of absence requests. For more information on how to submit a request for this please go to: /health/MedPsychWithdraw.php
For our office to send a notification to faculty, students must submit supporting documentation along with a Student Emergency Absence Notification Form. Documentation is required. Requests will not be processed without appropriate documents. Please note that documentation must include the specific dates of absence from campus. Documentation is needed for medical stays, obituaries/funeral details, legal summons, jury duty, and military orders.
Submit the online form at ______________________
Provide documentation as stated above
For absences less than two consecutive days. This process is not intended for short-term absences. These absences should be addressed directly with the instructor per their attendance policy.
For absences 3-7 days, please submit a Student Emergency Absence Notification Request form along with supporting documentation.
Absences beyond 7 days typically result in a student’s inability to complete their required work. This can lead to consideration of withdrawing from classes along with also consideration of a medical withdraw or medical leave. For more information on medical leave or absence please go to: /health/MedPsychWithdraw.php
For Students:
Speak to their faculty about the absence first- IMPORTANT!
Instructors should be notified IN ADVANCE when possible
It is the student’s responsibility to ask about coursework you missed
Students should connect back with the Dean of Students office when they return to campus to discuss resources that might be available to support their connection back to campus
For Faculty:
Students are not required to submit absences to the Dean of Students office
Absences should be addressed directly by instructors per their attendance policy in the course syllabus
It is the instructor’s decision to determine whether extensions, make-ups, or incompletes are given
For Dean of Students Office:
Review notification requests and inform students if further documentation or clarification is needed
Will notify faculty and representatives from the student’s academic college if the notification request meets eligibility requirements
For Parents and Families:
If a student is unable to speak to their faculty and/or complete the Student Absence Notification Form on their own due to being incapacitated, please complete the form on their behalf