Class Attendance
Attending class is essential for academic success. The University expects students to attend all scheduled class times unless an absence is excused under this policy. An excused absence is one in which a student is absent due to an off-campus event (see below) or involves a legitimate extenuating circumstance (with documentation) which causes the student to miss class for three or more days, or miss a major assignment and/or examination.
Students should contact the Dean of Students Office for excused absences of 3 or more consecutive days or if their absence resulted in missing a major assignment or examination. Students do not need to contact the Dean of Students Office for excused absences involving fewer than 3 consecutive days. Students are expected to notify their instructors of any absences as soon as possible.
Instructors have the discretion to excuse student absences for reasons other than described in this attendance policy.
Excused absences will be considered within 30 days of the requested dates (with proper documentation). Excused absences will not be granted after 30 days of the requested dates and/or the conclusion of the semester.
Categories of University Excused Absences
Off-campus events:
- Including intercollegiate athletics; fine arts performances; academic program-sponsored competitions; academic program-sponsored field trips; and similar official events where students represent the University in an official capacity.
- The instructor or staff supervising students participating in these events must provide notice to the students’ instructors and the Dean of Students Office prior to the date of the activity. The notice must include the name of the activity, the date(s) of class absence, the name of the supervising instructor or staff, and the names of all participating students.
Absences involving legitimate extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control:
Examples of situations in which an excused absence notification may be sent out to a student’s faculty members, include:
- medical or mental health hospitalizations
- serious accidents
- death of a close loved one
- student impacted by natural disaster
- military duty
- jury duty or subpoena for court appearances
Documentation Requirements
Documentation will be required for all absences of three or more consecutive days or when the student missed a major assignment and/or examination.
Students participating in activities on behalf of a student organization may obtain
a verified absence letter from the Student Leadership and Involvement Office. This
letter is meant to confirm a student’s participation in an extracurricular activity
and may be presented to the instructor when requesting an absence from class.
Students are responsible for notifying their instructors prior to missing a class
and arranging a mutually-acceptable make-up procedure. In emergency situations, where
students are unable to notify their instructors, students should promptly contact
the Dean of Students Office for assistance.
Students with an excused absence shall be allowed to earn full credit for missing assignments by performing equivalent work, as long as the instructor deems that the learning objectives of the course can still be met. Where this is in question, it should be determined in conversation between the student and the instructor, if necessary in consultation with the Dean of Students. This conversation should happen as soon as possible. The substance of the equivalent work and the deadline for its completion shall be determined by the instructor.
Instructors concerned with a student’s excessive absence should contact the Dean of Students Office for advice and assistance.
The Dean of Students Office may be contacted by an instructor or a student for assistance in informally resolving any disputes under this policy. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the student may follow the Student Academic Grievance policy.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of Michigan Tech to permit students to observe those holidays celebrated by their chosen religious faith. It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructors. In cases where examinations or assignments need to be made up, faculty has the right to determine the content and the conditions of administration, giving due consideration to equitable treatment. While recognizing that some religious observances may include extended periods of time, instructors may expect a reasonable limit to the number of requested absences by any student.
Undergraduate Short-term Leave of Absence
The Dean of Students Office will work with undergraduate students requiring a short-term leave of absence during a semester or term. Approval for a short-term leave of absence requires documentation of an extenuating circumstance, following guidelines of the University Attendance Policy. Short-term leaves will not extend longer than six weeks or into future semesters. Students requiring a leave that extends into a future semester will be advised to pursue incomplete grades or a full withdrawal. Students approved for short-term leave must be able to fulfill the educational objectives of a course with or without reasonable accommodations. Students approved for short-term leaves will not be required to withdraw from the semester unless they fail to maintain communication with the Dean of Students Office or reapply for admission to the University upon their return.
Policy Requirements
This policy applies to students who need to take a leave of absence longer than two weeks but less than the remainder of a given semester. Short-term leaves of absence are for circumstances including but not limited to the following:
- Surgery or recovery from surgery
- Death in the immediate family
- Inpatient or intensive outpatient mental health care
- Birth, adoption, or new foster placement of a child
- Other physical or mental health emergencies
Students requesting a short-term leave of absence must provide documentation of an extenuating circumstance and meet with a representative from the Dean of Students Office to complete a detailed plan for their leave, following the Procedures for Short-Term Leave of Absence.
International students attending Michigan Tech are encouraged to consult with a staff member in International Programs and Services to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and requirements.
Students returning from a medically-related short term leave of absence will provide documentation from a healthcare professional prior to returning. Documentation will not be required of students returning from a leave due to the birth, adoption or new foster care of a child.
See University Policy 7.03 for additional information.