ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS 2-0217 ACADEMIC

Oklahoma State University Policy and Procedure

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS

2-0217

ACADEMIC

AFFAIRS

August 2021

POLICY

1.01 Class attendance is a critical component of learning. Students are expected to attend and

participate fully in all scheduled class meetings.

1.02 A written attendance policy should be provided to students within the nonrestricted add

period of the semester. The nonrestricted add period is defined as the sixth class day of a regular

semester, or the third class day of an eight-week session, or the proportionate period for block or

short courses. (For additional information see P&P 2-0206: Adding and Dropping Courses and

Withdrawing from the University.)

1.03 Faculty may choose to set a maximum total number of excused, sick, and unexcused

absences. Faculty may also specify when absences will not be excused under any circumstance,

excluding the excused absences referenced in this policy. Students are strongly encouraged to

meet with the instructor during the first week of classes to discuss any anticipated absences (See

Section 1.06).

1.04 If no written attendance policy is provided before the end of the nonrestricted add period,

no penalty may be assessed for class absences although students may not be permitted to make up

certain in-class activities such as presentations, labs and “pop” quizzes.

1.05 Faculty must provide reasonable accommodation for students who must miss a class,

laboratory, or studio meeting because they are required to participate in sponsored activities of the

University. For the purpose of this policy, sponsored activities can include but are not limited to:

academic or professional presentations, conferences and workshops; intercollegiate athletics,

academic, judging competitions, and musical, theatrical, dance, and other artistic performances.

Students involved in activities which may require them to miss course meetings have the

responsibility to notify the instructor as early as possible in a semester, and certainly in advance

of the absences, to request permission for the absences (preferably in writing) from the instructor

and discuss how the absences will affect their ability to meet the course requirements. Under ideal

circumstances, discussions should occur during the first week of the semester. While instructors

must make reasonable accommodation for any student involved in University-sponsored activities,

students should recognize not every course can accommodate absences and neither the absence

nor the notification of an absence relieves them from meeting the course requirements.

1.06 The designated University sponsor for a sponsored activity must provide to the students

involved documentation requesting the absence for specific dates and times. The documentation

must demonstrate the sponsor has no reasonable option in scheduling the activity except during

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regular class periods. Students must provide this documentation to instructors in advance of the

activity or event, except when such notice is not possible. The written documentation must be

provided at the earliest point available in the semester.

1.07 Absence Due to Military Service

All students are entitled to a leave of absence from their studies at OSU in order to

engage in military service in the U.S Armed Forces and National Guard. Military

service includes mandatory training and short-term deployment (typically two weeks

or less). Students will not be penalized for such absences and will be given the

opportunity to earn equivalent credit for missed activities, including (but not limited

to) assignments and exams. The student should always consult with the instructor to

determine the potential impact of any absence. A student who is called to active duty

for a period of at least 30 days is eligible to complete a Military Leave of Absence Form

(available from the Office of the Registrar).

A student shall provide the instructor with advance notice of military service in the

form of written documentation. No advance notice is required if the giving of such notice

is precluded by military necessity (as per regulations prescribed by the Secretary of

Defense) such as deployment to a natural disaster or national crisis. The student and/or

instructor may ask the OSU Office of Student Veteran Success for guidance on the

documentation requirement and/or the verification of documents.

In certain courses, such as short-term courses, it may not be possible for a student

to make-up a missed session. In courses with extensive laboratory exercises, group

projects, group performances, or participation requirements, equivalent exercises or

assessments may not be possible as determined by the instructor. In these cases, the student

may be eligible for a retroactive withdrawal per OSU policy.

Arriving at a reasonable accommodation for an excused absence is often the result

of clear communication between an instructor and student. If a student feels they have

been unfairly penalized due to an excused absence, they may present their case to the

University’s Grade Appeals Board.

1.08 Faculty, at their discretion, may require homework, reports, papers, compositions, and

projects to be turned in ahead of or after the missed classes and examinations to be taken before or

after any planned or unplanned absence.

1.09 The decision to grant access to materials from missed learning experiences (lectures, labs,

etc.) lies with the faculty member who sets the attendance policy for the course and has the

authority to determine the circumstances under which accommodations for absences are permitted.

1.10 If a student believes a faculty member has denied a reasonable and appropriate

accommodation, the student may appeal the decision to the Department Head or School Director.

Since class attendance is a critical component of learning, such appeals would be considered on a

case-by-case basis. The OSU Ombuds Office is available to all Oklahoma State University

students, faculty, and staff to discuss and advise on any matter of campus related concern.

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1.11 Attendance policy statements in the “OSU Syllabus Attachment” should, at all times, be

consistent with this policy.

Approved:

Faculty Council, March 10, 2009

Instruction Council, March 13, 2009

Council of Deans, April 9, 2009

Executive Team, July 2009

Revisions Approved:

Faculty Council, January 10, 2012

Faculty Council, May 8, 2012

Instruction Council, September 7, 2012

Council of Deans, September 13, 2012

Executive Team Policy Committee, March 1, 2013

Revisions Approved:

Faculty Council, May 14, 2013

Instruction Council, October 4, 2013

Council of Deans, November 14, 2013

Executive Team, August 2014

Revisions Approved:

Faculty Council, March 9, 2021

Instruction Council, April 15, 2021

Council of Deans, May 13, 2021

Executive Team, August 25, 2021