Attendance Policies
Requiring Class Attendance
Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. If a student’s grades are to be based wholly or partially on attendance, then the instructor must notify the students in writing at the beginning of the semester. In other words, members must clearly state in their syllabi the requirements for class absence and/or participation and the impact of absences and/or participation on course grades. Faculty members must record student class attendance through the reported Census date. Absences may lower a student’s grade where class attendance and class participation are deemed essential by the faculty member. Any instructor who informs students in writing about the necessity of class attendance may request that a student be dropped from the course with a grade of “WF” upon the accumulation of a stated number of absences. Departments and similar academic units have authority to establish a department-wide or course-wide attendance standards. Students must be notified of the standards in writing.
Excused Absences In General
An absence may be excused for the following reasons: a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose; active military service, including travel for that purpose; participation in an official university function; illness or other extenuating circumstances; pregnancy and parenting under Title IX; and when the University is officially closed by the President.
A student is responsible for requesting an excused absence in writing, providing satisfactory evidence to the faculty member to substantiate excused absence and delivering the request personally to the faculty member assigned to the course for which the student will be absent. When an absence is excused, the faculty member will provide a reasonable time after the absence for the student to complete an assignment or examination missed. Faculty members are required to find a fair resolution if a student missed an examination or assignment on days when the university is officially closed.
In general, a student will not be penalized for an excused absence and will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable period after the absence.
Absences for Religious Holidays
A student should notify a faculty member of anticipated absence to observe religious holy days as early in the semester as possible. A student will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable period after the absence. The faculty member may take appropriate action if a student fails to satisfactorily complete an assignment or examination within a reasonable time.
If a student and faculty member disagree about whether the absence is due to observance of a religious holy day or whether the student has been given reasonable time to complete any missed assignment or examination, they may appeal the decision using the process outlined in UNT Policy 18.1.13, Student Complaint Policy or UNT Policy 06.040 , Grade Appeals.
Absences Due to Military Service
A student called to active military service must provide a copy of the student's military order to each faculty member instructing a course in which the student is enrolled. The course syllabus for a course in which a student was enrolled when called to active military service will be retained so that the student may complete the course without prejudice and pursuant to the course requirements that were in effect when the student enrolled in the course upon the student's return from active military service. All course work completed by a student prior to being called to active military service will be retained until the student returns. A student who returns from active military service who will not be able to satisfactorily complete any outstanding assignments or examinations within a reasonable period of time must work with the faculty member to develop a written plan and timeframe for completing all outstanding assignments or to make any other arrangements as may be appropriate under the circumstances. The maximum period for which a student may be excused will be no more than 25% of the total number of class meetings or the contact hour equivalent (not including the final examination period) for the specific course or courses in which the student currently is enrolled at the beginning of the period of active military service.
A student returning from active military service who believes that they have not been given full and fair treatment in accordance with this policy, or all other relevant state or federal laws relating to return from active military service, may seek review under UNT Policy 18.1.13, Student Complaints or UNT Policy 06.040 , Grade Appeal.
Absences for Official University Functions
Student absences due to participation in an official university function or activity must be approved in advance by the department chair and the academic dean. Athletic team member absences will be approved by the athletic director or designee. Excused students will be permitted to make up missed work when practicable or will be given special consideration so they are not penalized for their absence. The academic dean/ athletic director or designee will notify the Dean of Students office regarding the excused absences and the student will pick up the approved absence card within 3 business days to present to all instructors.
Absences for Pregnancy and Parenting Under Title IX
A student who is pregnant or who has given birth must be excused from class for as long as the student’s doctor certifies the absences is medically necessary. A faculty member, department or other academic unit that establishes course-wide attendance standards must comply with this policy.
Absences Due to Illness
In case of an illness that will require absence from class for more than one (1) week, the student should notify his or her faculty member.
Instructor Attendance (Walks)
Instructors are required to meet with their classes according to the university schedule. If an instructor must miss class for any reason, he or she is expected to contact the department chair and make appropriate arrangements to cover course content accordingly. Cancelling classes or giving “walks” is not permissible.