Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class and remain in class for the duration of the session. Failure to attend class or arriving late may impact your ability to achieve course objectives, which could affect your course grade. An absence, excused or unexcused, does not relieve a student of any course requirement. Regular class attendance is a student’s obligation, as is a responsibility for all the work of class meetings, including tests and written tasks. Any unexcused absence or excessive tardiness may result in a loss of participation points.
Class Absence(s): The instructor has the authority to excuse a student’s class absence(s) and to grant a student an academic accommodation (turn in a late assignment, provide extra time on an assignment, reschedule an exam, etc.). However, under Academic Affairs Policy on Course Attendance and Participation, University-sanctioned events or activities are considered excused absences. A University-sanctioned event or activity is one in which a student formally represents the University to external constituencies in athletic or academic activities. This policy does not supersede individual program attendance and/or participation requirements that are aligned with accreditation or licensure. For more information and student responsibilities to account for such an absence, see provost.charlotte.edu/policies-procedures/academic-policies-and-procedures/course-attendance-and-participation.
Students are encouraged to work directly with their instructors regarding class absences for medical appointments, military/court orders, and/or personal and family emergencies, such as a death in the immediate family, where a student is able to provide an instructor with appropriate supporting documentation of the absence. The final decision for approval of absences and missed work or make-up work is determined by the instructor.
For absences due to religious observances, students must provide the instructor with written notice of requested accommodations no later than the 10th day of instruction for the semester. The instructor and the student should then discuss what a reasonable accommodation should be in the given case and then document this agreed-upon accommodation. University Policy 409 provides more details about this procedure. The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX is available as a resource if students or faculty have questions about the process.
The Office of Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) can provide notification to faculty of emergency situations, when a student is unable to do so and when the office has been made aware of such emergencies. In such situations, the SASS office may also be able to assist with verification of such emergencies, once a student is able to return to classes. The SASS office does not provide verification of absences for car trouble, weather issues, personal activities, work, weddings, vacations, or University-sponsored events. Absences related to such activities should be discussed directly with the faculty member.
Should a student need assistance from the SASS office in verifying an emergency situation, they can submit an online request form (sass.charlotte.edu/services/absence-verification) and attach supporting documentation. Please note that students are not required to go through the SASS office at any time regarding absence verification, and the SASS office does not have the authority to excuse absences, allow for make-up work, or provide other academic accommodations.
In cases of absence due to pregnancy or parenting (pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions), students should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX to obtain absence verification by completing the online form at http://bit.ly/332eaGd.