Attendance Policy
Because engagement is integral to learning, Central College expects students to attend all regularly-scheduled classes and laboratories.
Instructors are responsible for clearly stating expectations for student attendance in their course syllabi, including the potential for out-of-class course-related experiences during the term (e.g., evening exams, course excursions, community-based learning).
Students are responsible for consulting the course syllabus and communicating with their instructors regarding any absences. When possible, students should communicate in advance (and as early as possible) about anticipated absences. If a student fails to communicate in advance about an anticipated absence, the instructor is not obligated to provide accommodations to the student because of the absence.
College-sanctioned activities typically are regarded as an excused absence from a class or laboratory. A college-sanctioned activity is an activity that the college has approved for student participation, regardless of whether the college has allocated any resources to support it. A college-sponsored activity is an activity which the college has specifically allocated resources to support. College-sanctioned activities can include (but are not limited to): college-sponsored athletic events; college-sponsored musical and theatrical performances; academic conferences and competitions; and course-related excursions. Questions about whether an activity counts as a college-sanctioned activity should be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee).
Absences due to required, short-term military service constitute excused absences.
Prior to an excused absence, the student should complete all work necessary for the class or laboratory or make alternate arrangements with the instructor. However, in the rare case where there is no means by which the work for the class or laboratory can be completed beforehand or meaningfully made up in some alternate way, the student should discuss this absence with the instructor early enough to provide sufficient time for both parties to consider options. If the student and instructor cannot agree on an appropriate option, then they should consult the coordinator of the conflicting event to seek resolution. Such a coordinator can include (but is not limited to): a faculty member proposing the conflicting activity; a coach of the student’s athletic team; or the Athletic Director (or designee). If this consultation does not result in a resolution, then the student and instructor should consult the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee) to help facilitate a resolution, after hearing from all parties.
A student absence from a class or laboratory due to illness or due to a personal or family emergency normally should be considered an excused absence. If an instructor questions the legitimacy of such an absence, the instructor should discuss it with the student. If this does not resolve the question, then the instructor should contact the student’s class dean for help with this determination.
Policies regarding all other absences are at the discretion of the individual instructor. In the event of an unexcused absence, the instructor is not obligated to provide opportunities for a student to make up course work. Absences due to personal travel prior to or following a mid- semester break (e.g., Thanksgiving or Spring Break) may be considered unexcused absences.
For extended or unforeseen absences (e.g., health conditions, family emergencies, post-season competition), the student is responsible for maintaining contact with their course instructor(s), academic advisor(s), and class dean to identify an appropriate plan of action. If an appropriate plan of action cannot be identified, the associate academic dean (or designee named by the VPAA) may be consulted to facilitate resolution.