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POLICY NUMBER: AS.001
EFFECTIVE DATE: 9/3/2014
APPROVAL DATE: 09/03/2014
REVISED DATE: 01/02/2019, 10/1/2022, 4/2/2025
REVISION APPROVAL DATE ; 05/04/2025
PURPOSE: Established the attendance expectations for all enrolled students of Life University
ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY: N/A
SCOPE: All students of Life University
RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: Academics, Academics
RECIPIENTS: Faculty, Administration, Financial Aid, Registrar
PUBLICATIONS: University Catalog, Student Handbook
DEFINITIONS: N/A
POLICY TITLE
Attendance Policy
POLICY STATEMENT
Life University supports the intellectual growth and development of its students and expects each student to take responsibility for their academic progress. Faculty must clearly outline their attendance/participation expectations in their course syllabus. All students are responsible for knowing the specific attendance/participation requirements as prescribed by their faculty and for the satisfactory make-up of missed work.
In accordance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act, institutions must verify student attendance to ensure eligibility for federal financial aid. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties and jeopardize the institution’s ability to disburse federal funds. Therefore, accurate tracking is mandatory.
In assessing student attendance and participation, the University aims to ensure the highest academic standards. Faculty must take attendance at each class period for lecture and laboratory courses. Attendance will be considered as any presence in a class or lab session which includes engagement such as online discussion, knowledge checks, or completion of assigned task (quizzes, exams, assignments, labs, etc.) and a BlackBoard login does not constitute attendance/participation. If the faculty lectures throughout most of the class period and did not provide sufficient engagement opportunities for all students to demonstrate attendance, they should count the student as present if the student attended throughout the class period.
PROCEDURE(S)
Life University must comply with related state and federal laws and regulations regarding a student’s attendance. Federal regulations require that students earn their financial aid funds by attending and actively participating in courses. To verify financial aid eligibility, attendance information is reviewed by the Office of the Registrar weekly. If a student has not attended any course within the past 14 days, the determination of federal financial aid eligibility will be reevaluated, and the student may be subject to the Life University withdrawal policy and federal regulations.
The faculty member can monitor course attendance through engagement of the student, whether it be using technological solutions such as attendance tracking apps (Qwickly), or some form of assessment, knowledge check, in-course activity to demonstrate engagement within BlackBoard. For online courses, attendance will be determined by weekly participation in the course.
EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
When a student is compelled, for any reason, to be absent from class, the student should immediately convey the reason for the absence directly to the faculty member. The student is responsible for all material presented and for all announcements and assignments covered during their absence.
CONSEQUENCES OF UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Lecture Courses:
1. After the first unexcused absence, the student will receive a written warning.
2. A second unexcused absence results in a 5% reduction in the final course grade.
3. A third unexcused absence results in failure of the lecture course.
Laboratory Courses:
1. After the first unexcused absence, the student will receive a written warning.
2. The second unexcused absence results in a 10% reduction in the final course grade.
3. A third unexcused absence results in failure of the laboratory course.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Excused Absences include, but are not limited to, medical emergencies, family bereavement, and sanctioned university activities. Documentation may be required.
Students are expected to be fully honest with faculty, university staff, and administrators when they make requests to excuse absences and when they work with faculty to arrange terms for the completion of coursework missed due to excused absences. Any dishonesty in requesting excused absences or accommodation for the timely completion of missed work is regarded as a violation of the Life University Honor Code and Standards of Conduct and is subject to disciplinary action through the Office of Conflict Resolution and Accountability.
Excused absences are recognized in the following cases:
UNIVERSITY SANCTIONED EVENTS
Any student enrolled in any program of study at Life University may be officially excused from classes(es) to represent the University at University sanctioned events as identified by the President. Excuses for absenteeism for University sanctioned events may also be granted by the Deans.
University sanctioned events may include, but are not limited to, activities such as those involving university athletic teams, student government, ambassadors or university clubs, trips related to academic courses, travel for National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) testing (one day prior; one day post as needed) as well as any other University sanctioned event approved by the President. Approval of such absences will be granted only if the faculty receives advance notice from the University official (i.e. club advisor, coach, or faculty sponsor) sponsoring the activity.
Students excused for university-sanctioned events must arrange with members of the faculty to make up lectures and lab hours missed. This is to be documented by the faculty and submitted to the appropriate dean.
The supervisor/advisor of the student or group participating in the extracurricular activity shall send written requests to the appropriate dean at least two weeks (if possible) in advance of the absence. This request should include the name of the event, the date of the event, all travel schedules, and names of all students involved.
Each student’s supervisor must notify the appropriate persons of any changes in the schedules as soon as changes are known.
Students must notify each faculty member that they are participating in a program that may create excused absences throughout the quarter. Students must provide a schedule of events at the beginning of the quarter to each faculty if one is available.
Faculty must allow students to take assessments either during the five class days prior to the absence or within the five class days following the absence. (The faculty member may dictate when a make-up assessment is to be taken.) Also, faculty members will prepare similar assessments of the same rigor and content as those administered to the other students in the class.
TITLE IX ACCOMMODATIONS
Absences related to Title IX issues are considered excused absences and must be presented to the faculty, with an informational copy furnished to the Dean of the respective college, by the Title IX office.
EXTENDED ABSENCES
Extended excused absences which would not allow the student to meet the course requirements or return to the course during the term may prompt the University to issue an administrative withdrawal. Students unable to complete the term will be allowed to return to the same academic status before the extended excused absence.
PERSONAL
Acceptable excuses include, but are not limited to, death/imminent death of family member, personal sickness or illness of a dependent family member, illness that is too severe or contagious for students to attend class, and/or natural disaster or significant weather event.
Excuses for class absences due to health must be signed and documented with letterhead, address, and phone number of the licensed health care provider.
Excuses for class absences due to death of an immediate family member must be signed and documented with letterhead, address, and telephone number of the clergy or with an obituary.
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
Acceptable excuses include those absences due to legal obligations such as jury duty or court orders. Appropriate documentation must be presented to the faculty at the earliest convenience, with an information copy furnished to the Dean of the respective college. Failure to do this within the specified time will result in the student’s absence being charged as an unexcused absence and may result in the assignment of a failing grade for excessive absences.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVATIONS
Students wishing to have an excused absence due to the observation of a religious holiday of special importance must provide advance written request to each faculty by the end of the first week of classes.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Specific regulations regarding Visa status and compliance implications for International student’s attendance/participation in courses is outlined by the International Programs Office.
CLASS ATTENDANCE BY ACTIVE MILITARY AND VETERANS
Active members of the United States Armed Forces may be periodically called to active deployment or training exercises. Military students are required to communicate with their faculty prior to their absence as well as upon return from leave. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that institutions of higher learning immediately report when a student discontinues attendance for any reason. Faculty must report to the Registrar’s Office the absence of a military student or veteran, generally, this should be reported after one week of absences and not later than two weeks of non-attendance.
SYLLABUS STATEMENT
Each course syllabus must include a statement detailing the attendance policy, procedures for reporting absences, and the consequences of unexcused absences. This ensures transparency and sets clear expectations for students.
By adhering to this attendance policy, the university aims to foster a culture of accountability, enhance academic success, and maintain compliance with federal regulations.
OTHER NOTES
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