Students are expected to attend punctually all lecture and laboratory sessions and field experiences and participate in course assignments and activities as described in course syllabus. Absences are counted from the first class meeting, and absences because of late registration will not be automatically excused. The student is held accountable for the work covered in each class meeting.
Each instructor shall determine the class attendance policy for each of his or her courses. This policy, along with other course requirements, will be presented to the class, preferably in writing, at the beginning of the semester or summer school term.
The Student Health Service does not issue official written excuses for illness or injury except in the case of a final examination when a grade of incomplete (I) is recommended. Upon request, however, the Student Health Service will confirm that the student has received medical care. If a faculty member needs additional information regarding the nature and/or scope of an illness or injury, the student must authorize the release of the information by signing a release of information form in the Student Health Service.
Instructors are expected to recognize and honor University Excused Absences, i.e., treat the absence as an excused absence. Instructors may require that students provide reasonable advance notice of a University Excused Absence, when possible.
If required by the instructor, verification of a University Excused Absence may be obtained by the student by contacting the Dean of Students Office.
University Excused Absences may be authorized by the Dean of Students Office for activities as follows:
- Participation in authorized University activities as an official representative of the University (e.g., sporting events, delegate to regional or national meetings or conferences, participation in and necessary travel to and from University-sponsored performances);
- Participation in activities directly related to University course work and part of the course requirements; or
- Participation in other activities deemed by the Office of the Provost or his or her designee to meet the spirit of these requirements by furthering the mission and enhancing the reputation of East Carolina University.
- The death of an immediate family member or student participation in religious holidays may be considered an Excused Absence under University policy.
To qualify for a University Excused Absence, as stated in # 2 above, an activity must
- be directly related to the course work;
- be of a nature that prevents it from being accomplished at a time that does not conflict with a class;
- be announced on the first day of class with complete information regarding date, time, purpose, and duration;
- be limited to one per course per term; and
- be submitted by the course instructor, through the appropriate departmental chairperson, director, or dean, to reach the Dean of Students Office no later than one month prior to the start of the term.
Except as provided above, requests for a University Excused Absence should be submitted, whenever possible, to the Dean of Students Office at least a week prior to the scheduled absence. Requests submitted after the fact will be disapproved unless circumstances made prior approval impossible or unreasonable.
Students should note that the Dean of Students Office will require documentation to verify the event leading to an Excused Absence. The Dean of Students Office will issue the Excused Absence based on that information. It is the Dean of Students Office who is the "designee" of the Provost in matters of University Excused Absences.
