This policy does not apply to Law or Graduate Students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An absence approved under University policy or by the instructor. Excused absences
include participation in University-sponsored activities, documented severe personal or family illness or
emergencies coordinated through the Office of the Dean of Students, absences due to late registration,
and other circumstances approved by the instructor. Students are responsible for notifying the
instructor as soon as possible and completing missed coursework in accordance with the course
syllabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An absence that does not meet the criteria for an excused absence or has not been
approved by the instructor. Examples include, but are not limited to, non-emergency illness without
documentation or instructor approval, non-emergency mental health days, work obligations, vacations,
or failure to communicate with the instructor regarding the absence. Missed work resulting from an
unexcused absence may receive a grade of zero or other penalties as outlined in the course syllabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arrival after the scheduled start time of a class, laboratory, or other required instructional
activity. Three instances of tardiness are equivalent to one absence for purposes of attendance
calculations under this policy. Individual instructors may define when a student is considered tardy
within their course syllabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The amount of instructional time equivalent to two weeks of scheduled class
meetings, used as the threshold for considering administrative withdrawal due to unexcused absences.
This is calculated as: (1) six unexcused absences in a 50-minute full-semester course or three in an 8-
week course; (2) four unexcused absences in a 75-minute full-semester course or two in an 8-week
course; (3) two absences in a 165-minute evening full-semester course; (4) four day-class meetings or
2 two evening-class meetings during summer sessions. For laboratory courses, one laboratory absence is
equivalent to three 50-minute class absences or two 75-minute class absences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An excessive absence occurs when a student\u2019s absences, whether excused,
unexcused, or a combination of both, prevent the student from meeting essential course requirements
or substantially compromise the student\u2019s ability to achieve course learning outcomes. Excessive
absence may occur even when some or all absences are excused if the missed work or required
participation cannot reasonably be made up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Class attendance is related to academic success, and class participation contributes to the synergism of
the educational process. Undergraduate students are expected to attend all classes, including
laboratories, practica, and events associated with the course or program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faculty members keep the roll, record grades for any work missed due to an unexcused absence and If a student must be absent from a class for one of the reasons listed below, the student is required to communicate with the faculty member 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 missed 3 work to the satisfaction of the Professor on the basis of guidelines stated in that Professor\u2019s course syllabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Untruthful student claims about absences are considered a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students will be given the opportunity to make up any missed assignments or their equivalents when their absence is the result of one of the following situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students are reminded of their responsibility to uphold the Code of Conduct and may be subject to Failure to attend classes for reasons other than those listed above are considered unexcused absences Absences for reasons other than University-sanctioned events (which must be approved by Deans or the Appeals to decisions based on this attendance policy may be brought to the attention of the Dean of
may make a recommendation to their Dean to drop a student for missing an equivalent of two weeks or
more of classes for unexcused absences. Faculty may not drop a student without the approval of the
Dean.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCourse Type<\/strong><\/td> Equivalent of Two
Weeks of Class<\/strong><\/td>Administrative
Withdrawal Threshold<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>50-minute full-semester (3 meetings per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 6 class meetings<\/td> 6 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> 110-minute 8-week course (3 meetings per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 3 class meetings<\/td> 3 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> 75-minute full-semester course (2 meetings per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 4 class meetings<\/td> 4 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> 165-minute 8-week course (2 meetings per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 2 class meetings<\/td> 2 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> 165-minute evening full-semester course (1 meeting per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 2 class meetings<\/td> 2 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> 90-minute Summer daytime course (5 meetings per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 4 class meetings<\/td> 4 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> 165-minute Summer evening course (2 meetings per week) (3 hr)<\/td> 2 class meetings<\/td> 2 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr> Laboratory course (1 meeting per week) (1 credit hour lab plus 3 credit
hour lecture)<\/td> 1 laboratory meeting<\/td> Equivalent to 3 absences in
a 50-minute course or 2
absences in a 75-minute
course<\/td><\/tr>110-minute full-semester (1 meeting per week) (2hr)<\/td> 2 class meetings<\/td> 2 unexcused absences<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Three Tardies Constitute One Absence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
from on campus and online classes. For all situations, the procedures below should be
followed:
i. Students who experience a personal or family illness-related emergency that
interferes with class attendance are expected to contact the Office of the Dean of
Students (deanofstudents@stmarytx.edu<\/a>) or via the Dean of Students Office Notice
Absence Form<\/a>, and provide documentation evidencing the situation. It is standard
protocol for the Office of the Dean of Students to contact the faculty whose student
is experiencing a personal or family illness-related emergency to offer
recommendations to the faculty regarding the handling of the absence. Personal or
family medical documentation should only be provided to the Office of the Dean of
Students.
ii. Students should work closely with the faculty members and the Office of the Dean
of Students to communicate their illness or other circumstances causing an
emergency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
academic penalties and university sanctions for falsely reporting an illness or emergency as a reason for
missing, or to miss class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
unless the faculty member, in consultation with the student, approves an absence as excused. Examples
of unexcused absences can include but are not limited to: sick days that did not require medical
attention, non-emergency mental health days, missing class due to having to work, vacations, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academic Vice President) will be determined to be \u201cexcused\u201d or \u201cnot excused\u201d by the Professor. An
excessive number of absences, even if they are excused, can severely compromise the quality of the
students\u2019 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 (by making a recommendation to the Dean) for withdrawal of the student from the class before
the published last day to drop. The Professor shall notify a student prior to initiating action for a
student\u2019s withdrawal. Grades assigned for withdrawals initiated by the Professor or by the student are
recorded as a \u201cW\u201d (Withdraw). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Student\u2019s office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nII. Online Courses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n