Student Handbook: Absences

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ABSENCES AND ATTENDANCE

Attendance

Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Because of the tremendous variety of class size and purpose, specific requirements and final authority for attendance (and any effect it might have upon grades) rests with the individual faculty member. However, students who miss more than 20% of regular class sessions (even if absences are considered ‘excusable’) may be required to drop the course. The specific rules for each course should be made clear on the first day of class.

Visitors and current students may visit a class for a maximum of one week; thereafter, registration in credit or audit status for the course(s) is required.

Absences, Medical Reasons

Students with medical situations that require them to miss a number of class sessions should advise their professors, as well as their RD (for resident students) or the Director of Commuter Life (commuter students), of the situation and seek their guidance. Normally, absences would need to extend beyond one week’s worth of classes before the RD or DCL would become involved; however, they may become involved sooner if a crucial date (such as an exam) will be missed. If the student is too ill, the RD or DCL will advise the faculty of the absences. It must be noted, however, the faculty are the final arbiters of whether an absence is considered ‘excused’ or not. The faculty member has the discretion to require a doctor’s notice as verification. The Health Center will issue such verifications only in very limited situations; for additional information, contact the Health Center at x4841 or (562) 903-4841.

Absences, Non-Medical Reasons

In certain extreme situations, a student may be forced to miss a number of class sessions for nonmedical reasons; family emergency, extreme personal trauma, etc. Such students should advise their professors, as well as their RD (for resident students) or the Director of Commuter Life (commuter students), of the situation and seek their guidance. Normally, absences would need to extend beyond one week’s worth of classes before the RD or DCL would become involved; however, they may become involved sooner if a crucial date (such as an exam) must be missed. If the student is incapable, the RD or DCL will advise the faculty of the absences; however, as noted above, the faculty are the final arbiters of whether an absence is considered ‘excused’ or not.

Mission/ministry/service/performance trips during the semester that require the student to miss class time are discouraged, and such absences will be considered ‘excused’ only at the discretion of each professor.

Jury Duty: while Biola does encourage students to participate in their civic duty as jurors, accepting such service can cause a student to miss excessive class sessions and important material. Biola students are encouraged to request postponements until non-enrolled periods (summer, interterm, etc.). If a postponement is not possible and a student is summoned and not excused, the student’s absence(s) will be considered excused at the discretion of the instructor.  The “Report Delay” option (see below) will not be allowed for jury duty. Any exceptions to this policy must be granted through the Office of the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education.

Report-Delayed Process

Revised January 2013

The purpose of the Report Delayed Process is to meet the needs of a student facing unforeseeable emergencies beyond his/her control and are serious enough to prevent completion of course assignments before the semester ends (i.e. extended illness, significant injury, critical family emergency…).  

A temporary “grade” of “RD” (report delayed) will be issued in these special cases when approved.  RD grades are normally completed no later than six weeks after the end of the term.  In the event of the inability of a student to complete the coursework by the approved deadline, the Office of the Registrar will assign a “W” (official withdrawal) for the course grade.

Request forms may be obtained from the Office of the Vice-Provost (upstairs Metzger west) or The Learning Center (upstairs Library).  All Report Delays require the permission of the faculty member, and the authorization of the Vice-Provost.

Notes & Restrictions:

    •    Appeals for a Report Delayed cannot be accepted any earlier than the 12th week of the semester.  

    •    Report Delays will not be granted for matters such as excessive employment, over-scheduling, or current poor performance in a course.

    •    Students who miss more than 20% of regular class sessions (including “excused” absences) may be required to drop the course and ineligible for a RD.

    •    The Report Delayed process is not available for Summer or Interterm courses.