November 2, 2021
Office of Student Life provides guidance on student absences, per university policy
The Office of Student Life has seen an increase in student absence verification requests that do not fall under the university excused absence policy, University Handbook F62, or under the purview of the Office of Student Life. We encourage students and faculty to work together to handle lower-level absences, as indicated in the policy.
Since the launch of the university excused absence policy, University Handbook F62, there has been a misunderstanding about absences not considered excused. The Office of Student Life has seen an influx of absence verification requests for pre-planned medical appointments, short-term non-COVID-related illness of three days or less, family vacations and similar concerns. Moving forward, we encourage faculty and students to manage these absences on their own, with the understanding that faculty have the discretion to enforce their own policies. Faculty are not required to have absences verified through the Office of Student Life or their academic college deans' offices.
The Office of Student Life will continue to provide verifications to faculty regarding excused absences, as well as absences related to emergency situations, medical concerns and ongoing personal challenges. Typically these absences may include scenarios like long-term illnesses, family or personal emergencies, funerals and other complex, difficult challenges students may be facing.
Students with challenging or complicated situations should consult with the Office of Student Life, as needed.
Below is a clarification about the differences between excused absences and verified absences.
Excused absences
These absences include military service, court appearances, pregnancy, childbirth, or adoption, religious observances and COVID-19-related absences. All absences falling into these categories should be documented by the Office of Student Life, which will send an email notifying faculty of the absence. Departmental activities are also considered excused absences, but verification is provided by the sponsoring department.
Verified absences
While not required, students and instructors may also consult the Office of Student Life, department/unit head or chair, and college dean's office for assistance with absences beyond the student's control, but that are not university excused absences within this policy, such as when an absence results from a personal emergency, illness, funeral, etc.