Student Attendance Policy Changes

In 2016, the University Senate adopted a new policy on students’ excused absences from class. This policy supersedes prior policies concerning academic assignments that fall on dates of religious observances and concerning students’ medically necessitated absences. The new policy is V-100(G) University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence. Below is a summary of the changes from the previous policies:

A clear statement articulates the intent of the policy.

An excused absence is an absence for which the student has the right to receive, and the instructor has the responsibility to provide, academic accommodation.

Events that justify an excused absence are defined.

Events that justify an excused absence include religious observances; mandatory military obligation; illness of the student or illness of an immediate family member; participation in university activities at the request of university authorities; and compelling circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g., death in the family, required court appearance). Absences stemming from work duties other than military obligation (e.g., unexpected changes in shift assignments) and traffic/transit problems do not typically qualify for excused absence.

There is a distinction between scheduled absences, such as religious observances or sporting events, and unscheduled absences.

In the case of religious observances, athletic events, and planned absences known at the beginning of the semester, the student must inform the instructor during the schedule adjustment period. All other absences must be reported as soon as is practical.

Faculty must indicate in the syllabus how students should inform them and provide documentation in the case of an absence.

The student must provide appropriate documentation of the absence. The documentation must be provided in writing to the instructor by the means specified in the syllabus.

There is no change with respect to the opportunity for students to use a self-signed note. The Health Center provides a template for a self-signed note. Faculty no longer need to identify “Major Scheduled Grading Events” in the syllabus. However, it is recommended that instructors articulate to the students what are considered major assignments where self-signed notes are not appropriate as an excuse for absence.

Students may, one time per course per semester, provide a self-signed excuse as documentation of an absence from a single class (e.g., lecture, recitation, or laboratory session) that does not coincide with a major assessment or assignment due date. For all other medically necessitated absences, a course instructor may request that students provide documentation from a physician or the University Health Center to verify an absence. In cases where students are asked to provide verification, the course instructor may request the dates of treatment or the time frame that the student was unable to meet academic responsibilities, but may not request diagnostic information.

For medically necessitated absences other than those where a self-signed note is appropriate, instructors may request documentation, but the instructor is not required to do so. That is, in some instances, an instructor may allow the student an excused absence without documentation, such as when the student is visibly displaying symptoms. Note that the Health Center Policy on notes for absences has not changed.

For all other medically necessitated absences, students must provide documentation from a physician or the University Health Center, upon request of the course instructor.

For all other absences instructors may request documentation. The policy does not indicate that documentation is required. There may be instances where an instructor allows the student to have an excused absence where the instructor does not require documentation.
Makeup work is defined.

If the accommodation is a makeup assessment, it must be timely, at a time and place agreed upon by the instructor and student, cover the same material, and be at the same level of difficulty as the original assessment. In the event that a group of students requires the same makeup assessment, one time and place may be scheduled. The makeup assessment must not interfere with the student's regularly scheduled classes, and must be consistent with the V-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Classes and Student Grievance Procedure.

This policy allows that there may be options for academic accommodations that are not “makeup” work. Units are expected to define principles for alternate accommodations.

If makeup work is not feasible, an alternate accommodation for excused absences will be provided. Alternate accommodations will be according to the principles established by the unit offering the course.

Accommodations in relation to active military duty and in relation to disability are defined.

Extended absences stemming from active military duty are addressed in the USM V-7.00 Policy on Students who are called to Active Military Duty during a National or International Crisis or Conflict. Absences related to a student’s disability are addressed in the VI-1.00(D) University of Maryland Disability & Accessibility Policy and Procedures.

Faculty are encouraged to guide students who have missed a substantial number of class sessions or course assignments to speak to an advisor or assistant dean.
Grievances will follow the same procedure as found here: III-1.20 (B) University of Maryland Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading (Undergraduate Students)). Faculty are encouraged to work with students to settle grievances informally if possible.

There are also changes to the University policy on Undergraduate Course Conduct and Student Grievances. Click here for a summary of the changes.