Notification of Absence FAQs
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Does the Office of Advocacy and Success excuse absences?
No, the Office of Advocacy and Success does NOT excuse absences. It is also solely the responsibility of the student to quickly and openly communicate with each professor regarding any missed assignments and develop a plan for making up those missed assignments, if permitted. Students should also review their course syllabus to obtain clear understanding of the attendance and tardiness policies for each course, as those policies may vary professor to professor. Students should be sure to follow whatever guidelines are provided in the course syllabus for notifications of absence, as each professor may prefer a different way of communicating. The Notification of Absence system in Canvas can be very useful also, but students should sure it is acceptable for each professor.
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Unplanned Absences — OK, you’ve already missed the class, now what?
Students should still contact the professor(s) as soon as possible. Students should always refer to their course syllabus to be sure to use the professor’s preferred method of communication in case of absence. The Notification of Absence system in Canvas can also be useful, but students should be sure it is acceptable for each professor. Sometimes, the professor may require some documentation of the reason for your absence. As soon as possible, students should discuss with the professor(s) what course work was missed and develop a plan to make up all missed assignments. We also recommend students determine if the professor(s) require any documentation regarding the reason for the absence and what documentation will suffice.
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What if a student will have a long period of absence from class or extended absences?
If a student is missing multiple classes at the very end of the semester, it is recommended the student consider requesting “I-incomplete” grades from professors for the courses that are being affected by extended absence. Incompletes are used when there is only a small portion of the course remaining to complete, and they are given only when the student is passing the course. This option is explained in more detail in the University Catalogue System. Additional information can be found in the Registrar’s Office.
