The University of Iowa

Student Absences

Departmental or instructor attendance and tardiness policies must be clearly stated on the required syllabus.

Students are required to observe the attendance policy announced for the course. If a complaint or issues arises concerning a student absence, CLAS uses the stated policy within the syllabus to adjudicate the problem.

University policy requires that students be permitted to make up examinations missed because of illness, mandatory religious obligations, certain University activities, or unavoidable circumstances. All instructors must comply with this policy. The attendance policy should provide options for making up work missed due to an excused absence.

Instructors may request that students provide documentation for any absence before the student is allowed to make up missed work. An UI absence form is available at the Registrar student forms link. Any requirement that students must use this or any other absence form should be clearly stated in the course attendance policy on the syllabus.

Students participating in University activities are expected to give each instructor a statement before the absence signed by a responsible official that specifies the dates and times the student will miss class. Authorized activities include participation in athletic teams, the marching band and pep band, debate teams, and other recognized University groups, as well as participation in University field trips, service with the National Guard, and jury duty.

Students should be warned that poor attendance is likely to affect the quality of their work and their success in the course.

Instructors may also consider providing increased structure for entry-level students working on major projects by instituting a series of due dates for smaller portions of the project. This can help students handle the stress of challenging work and may create better attendance on days when assignments are due.

Absences Due to Illness and Emergencies

The College recommends that attendance policies include procedures to accommodate student illness and absences due to emergencies. These policies should be clearly stated on the syllabus and discussed during the first class period.

Instructors may also request further documentation of the absence. Absence forms are available at the Registrar's site and instructors may request that students use this form. Instructors also have the right to ask for documentation of an illness or an emergency. The College relies on the professional discretion of each instructor to be fair and compassionate while holding students to a high standard of integrity. Any policies created by an instructor concerning attendance must be stated on the course syllabus and reviewed on the first day of class.

If a personal crisis affects a student's ability to complete a course or affects an entire semester's registration, the student should be referred immediately to CLAS Academic Programs & Services (120 Schaeffer Hall) for help. Instructors also might want to remind the class that a student who is absent for more than five days due to an emergency or an illness may request that the Registration Center (17 Calvin Hall or registrar@uiowa.edu) notify each instructor of the reason for the absence. A student may still be asked for additional documentation from the instructor upon return to the course. Instructors in need of advice may call CLAS Academic Programs & Services (335-2633) and speak with the Associate Dean or with one of the Directors.

Instructors also have the option of assigning a grade of Incomplete (I) if all requirements for assigning the I grade have otherwise been met.

Clinicians at the Student Health Service are always willing to discuss issues of illness and accommodation with instructors. Student Health Services offers the following advice:

• Most students are honest and do not invent illnesses or other emergencies to avoid academic obligations.
• Individuals differ markedly in their response to discomfort. Some students can attend class and take examinations when suffering from minor or even serious illness; others have a lower tolerance for pain and stress and their work can be legitimately compromised by even minor illness.
• A student may have a chronic illness that necessitates special arrangements. Early in the semester, ask to be notified of any such condition. If appropriate, students may be referred to Student Disability Services.
• A student may have an underlying condition (such as anxiety disorder, panic disorder, attention deficit disorder, depression, or alcohol or drug dependency) that may be exacerbated by illness. The student may not be willing to disclose this information when asking for a medical accommodation.