COP 03-0602: Class Attendance, Excused Absence

Purpose Statement

The procedure describes the process for excused absences due to officially sanctioned Florida SouthWestern State College (the "College") activities.

Guidelines

The College recognizes that student participation in officially sanctioned College-related activities, such as athletics, academic competitions, performances, clinical rotations, and other institutionally sponsored events, is a valued component of the student experience and, in some cases, a program requirement. The College is committed to supporting student engagement in these activities while maintaining the academic integrity and rigor of its courses. The following guidelines have been established to ensure a consistent and fair process for granting excused absences across all campuses and to clarify the respective responsibilities of students, faculty, and College administrators.

Procedures

1. Students are expected to attend all class periods of the courses for which they are registered. Students whose attendance is required at officially sanctioned College-related events should be granted an excused absence.
   1. Proof of the event schedule and of the students' participation must come from an authorized College administrator.
   2. Although students will be granted an excused absence, they are still responsible for making up any course material and (if necessary) making arrangements for completion of exams/quizzes prior to the next regularly scheduled class meeting.
2. Excessive unexcused absences from a course may result in a lower grade, depending on the professor’s grading policy. The determination of what constitutes excessive unexcused absences in any course rests with the professor conducting that course. Attendance requirements for a given course are to be found in the course syllabus.