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.
Categories of University excused absences:
- Off-campus events:
- Including intercollegiate athletics; fine arts performances; program sponsored competitions; 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. These include student illness or injury that prevents a student from participating in class; death or critical illness of a family member; birth of a child; military duty; jury duty or subpoena for court appearances; and similar serious extenuating circumstances.
- If a student's absence causes the student to miss an assignment, examination or other graded requirement of the class, the instructor may require the student to provide documentation verifying the cause of the absence. The student may provide the documentation to the instructor or to the Dean of Students Office.
- Instructors retain the discretion to excuse student absences for reasons other than those described in the above paragraphs.
- 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. Any course-specific consequences for excessive absences should be described in the instructor's syllabus.
- 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.
Policy on Religious Observance
Michigan Tech permits students to be excused from class on holidays observed by their religious faith. Students who wish to be absent for a religious holiday are responsible for making arrangements in advance with their instructors to make up class work and exams. Instructors may expect a reasonable limit to the number of absences requested.