Class Attendance

UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE & PHD

Class attendance is related to academic success, and class participation contributes to the synergism of the educational process. Students are expected to attend all classes, including laboratories, practica, and events associated with the course or program.

The professor keeps the roll, may record a zero for any work missed due to an unexcused absence, and may drop a student for missing an equivalent of two weeks of classes. One absence in a laboratory will be the equivalent of two 50-minute classes or one 75-minute class. "Two weeks" are computed as follows:

Fall and Spring Semesters

• Six unexcused absences in a 50 minute class period (M-W-F)
• Four unexcused absences in a 75 minute class period (M-W, T-R)
• Two unexcused absences in a 165 minute class period (Evening)

Summer Sessions

• Four unexcused absences in a day class meeting
• Two unexcused absences in an evening class meeting

Trimester Courses/Eight-Week Classes

• Contact the Registrar's Office for details

Tardies

• Three tardies constitute one absence.

Absences incurred during late registration are considered excused.

Absences for reasons other than University-sanctioned events (which must be approved by Deans or the Academic Vice President) will be determined to be "excused" or "not excused" by the professor.

An excessive number of absences, even if they are excused, can severely compromise the quality of the students' learning experience. Therefore, if the professor judges that the student has missed excessive material due to absences (excused, unexcused or a combination of the two), that professor may initiate action for withdrawal from the class. Whenever possible, the professor shall notify a student one class prior to initiating action for a student's withdrawal. The student will be charged a $10 fee for the add/drop slip (after the 100% refund period) regardless of whether the student or the professor submits the add/drop slip.

A grade of "W" (withdrawal) or "WF" (withdrawal failure) is assigned for a withdrawal if the withdrawal occurs after the 100% refund period. Remember, a "WF" is calculated in a student's grade point average as an "F". Refer to the Academic Calendar for the last day to drop with an automatic "W" and the last day to drop classes.

It is the responsibility of the student to contact the professor before an absence, if possible, or in the case of an emergency, as soon after the absence as possible. It is also the responsibility of the student to make up any work missed to the satisfaction of the professor on the basis of guidelines stated in that professor's course syllabus.

Appeals from decisions made concerning this attendance policy may be brought to the attention of the appropriate Undergraduate Departmental Chairperson or Graduate Program Director. If the results of an appeal are not satisfactory at the chairperson level, an appeal may be brought to the attention of the Dean in whose school the course is taught.

LAW SCHOOL*

St. Mary's requires regular attendance in class. Students with problems that will cause numerous absences should see the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. In addition to the rules described below, a professor may impose alternate policies that do not affect a student's grade or course registration. (For example, a student may be required to meet with the professor after a set number of absences.)

1. Grade Reduction for Excessive Absences (The Three/Five Rule)
   On the ten-level grading scale, a professor may deduct no more than one grade level from a student's final grade for three absences, and may deduct another grade level if the total reaches five absences, irrespective of the reason for such absences. (For example, if a student has three absences, a final grade of C+ may be reduced to C; if a student has five absences, a grade of C+ may be reduced to C-.) A professor who intends to apply this rule must notify students of the intention sufficiently in advance of the imposition of the sanction to permit the student to avoid the grade reduction.
   
2. Penalties for Being Tardy.
   A faculty member may treat a tardy as equivalent to an absence or a fractional part thereof, provided that notice of the practice is provided to students during the first week of class. A student who leaves before the conclusion of class may, at the professor's discretion, with notice, be treated as tardy. (This includes students who leave class and return.)
   
3. Withdrawal for Excessive Absences (The One-Fifth Rate)
   If a student has been absent from one-fifth or more of the scheduled class meetings in a course, the student shall be withdrawn from the course, irrespective of the reason for such absences. This rule is not subject to professorial or administrative discretion. (For example, if a class meets 45 times during the semester, a student who misses 9 classes will be automatically withdrawn from the course. If a class meets 30 times, a student who misses 6 classes will be automatically withdrawn. And if a class meets 15 times, a student who misses 3 times will be automatically withdrawn.)

   *Subject to changes. For further information contact the Law School.