Frequently Asked Questions

The full text of the excused absence policy from the Academic Code (July 1, 2023) is listed below.  Students are advised to clarify the policy with their instructor or academic advisor if they are unsure as to whether a specific reason qualifies as excused:

3.1.3 Instructors have discretion over class attendance at all times, with the exception of

officially excused absences as described in this section. The instructor must accept as

excused those absences authorized by the relevant University offices under sections

3.1.3.1 and 3.1.3.2, and 3.1.3.7. For absences to be excused under sections 3.1.3.3 through

3.1.3.6, the student is responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to the instructor to

substantiate the reason for missing class according to the following guidelines: for

absences planned in advance, the student must inform the instructor no less than one

week prior to the planned absence; and for unplanned absences resulting from injury or

illness, the student must provide the instructor appropriate verification from a health

services provider, as described in section 3.1.3.5, no later than two business days after the

period of absence concludes. Instructors must allow students to make up work, including

exams, missed during the excused absence within a reasonable time period and without

penalty. Students may appeal an instructor’s decision to the student’s dean (or the dean’s

designee) within 3 business days of the decision, but grounds for appeal are limited to

whether an instructor’s decision comports with the Undergraduate Academic Code or

other relevant University rules. For any excused absence that is anticipated to endure for more

than one calendar week, the applicable approving authority for sections 3.1.3.1, 3.1.3.2, and

3.1.3.5 (in chronic/ongoing cases), and the student in all other cases, will be responsible

for notifying the student's dean (or dean's designee) of the need for an extended absence. 

Any approval of an excused absence beyond one calendar week shall be done in

consultation with the student's dean (or the dean's designee) and other campus partners,

as appropriate.

3.1.3.1 Participation in a university authorized activity. Such notification will come from

Student Affairs, Academic Services for Student-Athletes, or the Chair of the Faculty

Board on Athletics.

3.1.3.2 Death or major illness of a member of a student’s immediate family. Immediate family

includes: mother, father, sister, brother, grandparents, spouse, child, spouse’s child,

spouse’s parents, spouse’s grandparents, stepmother, step-father, step-sister, step-brother,

step-grandparents, grandchild, step-grandchild, and legal guardian. In extraordinary

circumstances, the Office of Student Affairs may deem it appropriate to approve an

excused absence in the case of death or major illness of other persons beyond this

definition of immediate family. In all cases, the Office of Student Affairs will be given

the final authority to make this judgment and will be charged with notifying all parties concerned.

3.1.3.3 Participation in off-campus legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a

student’s presence.

3.1.3.4 Religious holy day.

3.1.3.5 Injury or illness that a health services provider verifies could have an adverse academic

impact. The University Health Services (UHS), the University Counseling Center (UCC),

or an off-campus health services provider can provide verification only if those providers

are involved in the medical or psychological care of the student. The verification must

contain the date and time of the in-person visit occasioned by the injury or illness and the

anticipated duration of the absence. The verification must be presented to the instructor

no later than two business days after the absence period concludes, although the student

or someone authorized to act on the student’s behalf should attempt to notify a professor

of a medical condition necessitating absence from class as soon as possible. An absence

for illness of an ongoing or chronic nature must be approved and managed through the

Office of Disability Services in order to be considered excused.

3.1.3.6 Required participation in military duties including required ROTC training and medical exams.

3.1.3.7 A junior or senior with a mandatory admission interview for professional or graduate school, or

post-graduate employment interview that cannot be rescheduled. Students requesting

an excused absence under this provision must present documentation of the qualifying event

to the student's dean (or dean's designee) at least one week prior to the anticipated absence.

The dean (or dean's designee) will determine whether the event qualifies for an excused absence

and will notify the instructor(s) of the affected course(s). A student can request excused

absences for no more than two class days per semester under this provision.  Students are

reminded that it is their responsibility to manage scheduling of such events to minimize

class absences, and to use fall, Christmas, and spring breaks for scheduling such interviews whenever possible.