Faculty Senate Considering University-wide Absence Policy
By NICK FARNOLO | Nov. 5, 2001Class absence policies will be standardized university-wide if a proposal currently under consideration by the Faculty Senate is ratified.The proposal requires professors to specify their absence policies in course syllabi and provide make-up opportunities for justified absences, including illness, family emergency, religious observances, transportation failure and "participation in University sponsored or endorsed activities." These activities include field trips, athletics competitions and performances, all of which are now accepted as valid excuses at each professor's discretion.Students, in turn, must notify their professors in writing at least a week in advance of planned absences, "provide reasonable evidence of the causes of absences" and complete missed course work.Currently, no university-wide policy exists.
