Attendance Policy
Attendance is required in all courses. Being absent and/or late for class may impact a student’s grade, and in the case of excessive absences, may result in failure or the instructor withdrawing the student from the course. Missing more than 10% of the scheduled class time may be considered excessive. Students are responsible for all missed work, assignments, etc. The instructor’s policies on attendance and making up work must be included in the syllabus.
Documented absences resulting from legitimate circumstances, such as personal illness, involvement in sanctioned university events, a death in the immediate family, etc. should not negatively impact a student’s grade or academic standing. Not withstanding the previous statement, once a student has missed enough classes that the instructor believes that the student cannot meet the goals of the course within the remaining time frame, the student may be given a failing grade, withdrawn from the class, or be considered for an Incomplete (I) and given a defined period to complete remaining course work.
Southern New Hampshire University recognizes the important role that religious holy days can play in the lives of its students. Observance of religious holy days may require students to miss classes. Such absence, when preceded by proper notification of teachers, will not carry any penalty or sanction. Students are expected to make alternate arrangements with their teachers regarding scheduled tests, assignments due or other course work and activity. Teachers are expected to be supportive of and sensitive to individual religious practices by being willing to work out alternatives to scheduled course work. In all instances, however, excused absence does not mean excused from meeting course standards and expectations. Should a dispute occur, the usual appeal process will be followed: the program coordinator/department chair, the school dean and finally, the Vice president of Academic Affairs.