Attendance Policy

I do not usually take class time to take roll or record attendance, but I expect students to attend class faithfully and to be on time. I believe that truancy and tardiness will manifest themselves in your final grade without me having to track them. As adults you decide where you should be at any given time, but I expect that class is the best place you can be during class time except for rare emergencies. In those emergencies, you make the decision, but I would like to know before the absence.

If you want to make up work missed due to an absence I need to approve the arrangements before the absence. I will work with you regarding excused absences for legitimate college-sponsored activities. It is much less likely that you will be able to make up work for absences resulting from family vacations or extending holidays beyond the days already recognized by the College. Labs are difficult to make up in any event.

One thing we (all) have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is to not go to class sick. If you need to miss class for a COVID-related reason, please let me know beforehand and we will try to make arrangements for you to participate remotely. Do not come to class with COVID symptoms or a positive test.

A failing grade of "UW" (Unofficial Withdrawal) may be submitted by the instructor if a student ceases to attend or complete assigned coursework. To avoid the punitive impact of a "UW," it is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by submitting a "Change of Program" form no later than the tenth week of the semester

For your reference, here is what the current catalog says about attendance:

Regular and prompt attendance is expected of every student. Instructors may vary in their individual attendance policies. An instructor may submit an administrative drop ("UW") if a student:

misses the first day of class;
ceases to attend class as evidenced by excessive unauthorized absences, missed exams and/or assignments.

When an unofficial withdrawal is submitted by a faculty member, a "UW" will be assigned to the student's record. A "UW" is calculated as a failing grade (F) in the grade point average. To avoid the impact of a "UW" on his/her grade point average, a student must officially withdraw from a course by submitting an add/drop form to the Student Success Center or Registration. A faculty member cannot officially withdraw a student. This is the student's responsibility.