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Class Attendance/Excused Absences

Class attendance is the responsibility of the student. When a student has a legitimate absence, the instructor may permit the student to complete missed assignments. In many cases, class participation is a significant measure of performance, and non-attendance may adversely affect a student’s grade. When a student’s absences become excessive, the instructor may recommend that the student initiate a withdrawal.

Excused Absence for University Events or Activities

When it is necessary for students to miss one or more regularly scheduled classes in order to participate in an official university event or activity, faculty sponsors and program directors will assist students to assure they have the opportunity to make up missed work. In doing so they are requested to observe the following procedures:

  1. At least one month prior to the date(s)* on which students will be absent from class, the faculty sponsor or program director shall send a memorandum to the Chief Student Affairs Officer. This memorandum shall include information concerning the nature of the event or activity, the dates(s) on which students will be absent from class, and the names of the students involved. The Chief Student Affairs Officer approves the requested student absence by initialing the memorandum and returning it to the faculty sponsor or program director.
  2. The faculty sponsor or program director provides copies of the memorandum to the students.
  3. Each student delivers a copy of the memorandum to the instructors, in person, at least two weeks* prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time with the student when the make-up assignment or equivalent work will be completed. Make-up work will be mutually arranged; however, availability of the instructor will be given priority in setting the arrangements.
  4. It is expected that students will not abuse the privilege of being absent from class for authorized university events or activities.

*Events scheduled within the first month of an academic term may require a shortened lead time.

Excused Absence for Religious Holy Days

An institution of higher education shall excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence.

Any student seeking to be excused for religious observance, must provide written notification to the instructors at least two weeks* prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time with the student when any make-up assignment or equivalent work will be completed. Make-up work will be mutually arranged; however, availability of the instructor will be given priority in setting the arrangements.

It is expected that students will not abuse the privilege of being absent from class for religious observance.

**Events scheduled within the first month of an academic term may require a shortened lead time.

Excused Absence for Active Military Service

Any student who has been called up for military service after a semester begins should immediately provide the Enrollment Services Center and course instructors a copy of the military orders. Such students are excused from attending classes, turning in assignments, taking examinations or participating in any other required activity if the absence is for no more than 25% of the total number of class meetings (excluding final examination period). If the absence is for more than 25% of the class meetings, please refer to the policy on Withdrawal for Military Service.

Within 5 days of the student returning to UT Tyler from active service, he or she shall notify the Enrollment Services Center and course instructors. The student will be allowed to complete all assignments and examinations within a reasonable time as agreed upon by the course instructors and under the same requirements in effect when the student enrolled in the course.

Should any dispute arise as to the student’s inability to complete assignments or examinations within a reasonable time after the absence, the student should first seek informal resolution with the faculty member, the department chair and then the dean of the college in which the course or courses are located. If an informal process is not successful, the student may institute a grade grievance process after the final course grade is recorded.