Course Absence Policy
I. Course Attendance Expectations
Regular in-person class attendance is expected of all students regardless of an instructor’s attendance policy. Students are responsible for following attendance policies in course syllabi. Faculty may limit the number of allowed absences in a course for all students due to the subject matter and purpose of the course. The course syllabus should clearly state attendance expectations. Excessive unexcused absences are subject to syllabus requirements, including any consequences as determined by the instructor.
II. Course Absences Managed by Students
When students experience a short-term illness (e.g., cold symptoms, stomach virus, headache) or injury (e.g., sprained ankle) that does not require medical care, they are expected to communicate with their instructors prior to missing class.
III. Relationship between ADA Accommodations and Course Absences
Students with chronic, documented medical/mental health conditions with unpredictable or cyclical acute episodes impacting in-person attendance, should request ADA accommodations for additional absences through Learning & Accessibility Services (LAS). Note that ADA accommodations for attendance cannot alter the learning outcomes of a course and students are still responsible for meeting the learning outcomes of the course, regardless of accommodations.
IV. Notice of Absences Managed by Student Wellness & Student Health Services
Student Wellness and Student Health Services may issue a Notice of Absence to communicate an excused student absence to instructors only in the case of a contagious or prolonged illness (e.g., influenza, mono, COVID), a family crisis (e.g., death in the immediate family), hospitalization, physical injury (e.g., concussion), participation in a treatment program, or other crisis situations (determined on a case-by-case basis) that are unavoidable and/or unexpected. Student Health Services does not provide notices for general, short-term conditions.
In the case of emergencies, long-term illness or injury, or unexpected military responsibilities, students should request an excusal as soon as they are able by emailing Student Wellness at student.wellness@wheaton.edu. Retroactive requests for excusals (more than two weeks in the past) may be denied. If Student Wellness or Student Health Services cannot confirm the reason for the absence request, an official letter from a licensed medical professional may be required.
V. Leave of Absence or Course Withdrawal
The Dean of Student Wellness may recommend a student to take a Leave of Absence or withdraw from the College or withdraw from one or more classes if:
- A student has been absent more than a total of two weeks of class for full-semester classes or more than a total of one week for quad-classes;
- Remaining enrolled precludes the student from initiating, complying with, and completing the treatment recommended by a health professional for the purpose of preserving the student’s health and safety; and/or
- If remaining enrolled is likely to result in a failing grade based on feedback from course instructor(s).
VI. Relationship between Course Withdrawal and Student Financial Services
It is important for students to consult with Student Financial Services before withdrawing from one or more courses because of the potential impact of a course reduction on a student’s financial aid.
VII. Course Absences Beyond Policy
Examples of absence requests that are not supported by this policy include unpreparedness, co-curricular activities (i.e., student organizations supported by a campus department) or extracurricular activities (i.e., student-initiated and supported club sports, clubs, or student ministries), family vacations, non-academic travel, and competing course assignment deadlines. Students who wish to miss class for reasons not supported by this policy are expected to use the absences allowed by instructors or communicate with their instructors prior to missing class and accept any penalties assessed.
VIII. Varsity Athletics and Course Absences
Varsity student athletes are recruited by coaches to both study and represent the College in NCAA Division III non-scholarship competition.
Student athletes are required to fulfill their academic course responsibilities, including attendance requirements. If a student athlete misses class due to participation in a school-sanctioned varsity athletics competition, the student is expected to use the class absences outlined in the syllabus.
Student athletes should bring their concerns to instructors about an athletic competition schedule that requires absences beyond the designated limit and discuss making up missed work. Instructors should allow student athletes to make up tests and other modes of assessment at alternative times.
Student athletes shall not be penalized in grading for missing class due to varsity athletic competition. Student athletes should be aware that, while penalties shall not be assessed, absences or missed work may have natural consequences that hinder academic performance in the course.
IX. Questions or Concerns
Questions or concerns about athletic-related course absences may be directed to the Director of Athletics at athletics@wheaton.edu and/or the Faculty Athletic Representative at far@wheaton.edu. Questions regarding disability-related absences for students with ADA accommodations can be directed to las@wheaton.edu. Questions related to student organization, student club, and student ministry or concerns should be directed to the Dean for Student Engagement at student.engagement@wheaton.edu.