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

The purpose of the Report Delayed notation is to meet the needs of a student who faces unforeseeable emergencies that are beyond his/her control, which are serious enough to prevent the student from finishing his/her course assignments before the semester ends. Examples are extended personal illness or critical family emergency. Report Delays will not be granted for reasons that relate to such matters as excessive employment or over-scheduling. Therefore, the student should plan ahead and:

  • Schedule course loads and class assignments in keeping with personal responsibilities to family, employer, and ability to handle class assignments and stress.
  • Evaluate course progress and assignments yet to be completed prior to the twelfth week (the last week to drop classes without receiving an “F”—see current catalog for specific date) and drop classes for which the work cannot be completed by course and academic calendar deadlines.

Appeals for a Report Delayed cannot be accepted any earlier than the 12th week of the semester. The Report Delayed process is not available for Summer or Interterm courses. Request forms may be obtained from the Office of the Vice-Provost (upstairs Metzger west), and need to be completed by the student in conjunction with the faculty member. All Report Delays require the permission of the faculty member, and need the signature of the Vice-Provost. The instructor will inform the Registrar when the work is completed and a course grade is assigned.

Maximum time extensions are:

  • All course requirements must be completed within six weeks of the end of the term.
  • If the situation or illness continues past the six-week deadline, an extension may be granted. The final extended deadlines are: for Fall courses, the following August 31; for Spring courses, the following January 31. This extension is contingent upon approval by the faculty member.

As noted above, students who miss more than 20% of regular class sessions (even if absences are considered ‘excused’) may be required to drop the course.

The Report Delayed is a temporary grade. In cases where the time-limit expires, but the student granted an “RD” is still unable to complete the coursework due to circumstances beyond his/her control, the University Registrar will assign a “W” (official withdrawal) for the course grade. This grade does not affect the student’s grade point average.