Class Attendance
Students are responsible for the entirety of the work in each of their registered courses. Instructors may consider individual class attendance when determining a student’s final grade for a course. In addition to lowering a grade, chronic or excessive - as defined by their program or the syllabus - absences may justify a failing grade for the entire course. Students should consult their program handbook and course instructors for specific consequences, policies, and procedures for absences and required makeup work. Scheduled classes have priority when in conflict with the out-of-class exam or other activity scheduled for another course.
Eligible students with a documented disability are granted reasonable accommodations in Simmons courses. In addition to the policy below, students should consult the Policy for Occasional Absences Accommodation and other policies of the Office of Accessibility.
All students with a health-related absence
Students are responsible for informing their instructors in advance of absence or tardiness whenever possible. Students are expected to communicate proactively with their instructors in advance. In such cases, it is of the utmost importance that students contact their instructors as soon as possible to communicate their situation and make arrangements for work due or required makeup work, as appropriate and allowed by the instructor.
Athletes and students involved in other official Simmons games/meets or co-curricular activities should inform their instructors of potential conflicts between scheduled classes and scheduled programs or athletic contests at the start of each semester. The faculty member has sole discretion to allow an absence due to an event conflicting with class or lab time, including Simmons-sanctioned and outside events or commitments.
Program-Specific Policies Regarding Absences and Absence from Clinical/ Field Placement/Practicum
Program policies relating to absences will align with the policies herein; however, those policies may include additional information that is helpful and necessary for students to know. For instance, each program may have specific requirements relating to absences beyond those specified in this policy. Students are expected to be familiar with their program-specific requirements around absences, as well as the content of this policy. Students should consult program-specific handbooks for additional policies, including those on placement and practicum attendance. Students should consult their program handbook and clinical or field manual for specific consequences, policies, and procedures for absences and makeup work regarding absences from clinical or practicum placements.
Absence due to Military Obligations
Students who are required to participate in weekly or monthly meetings, weekend drills, annual trainings, military schooling, or any other training or official military event as members of the ROTC, National Guard, Reserves, or the Inactive Ready Reserve will be excused from class. Students are required to contact their faculty regarding making up work prior to missing class. Students should consult their program handbook for specific procedures and documentation requirements.
Students who are called to active duty should consult the Leaves of Absence Policy.
Religious Observance
Students who are unable, because of their sincerely religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in an examination, class, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from the class, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work they may have missed consistent with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151C, Section 2B. That law states:
Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or a denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work missed because of such absence on any particular day, provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effect shall result to any student because of his/her availing himself of the provisions of the sections.
Questions about absences for religious observance should be directed to the professor.
Deadlines and Events
Students observing a holiday or event that may affect when they can submit assignments or participate in class should inform their professors in advance. This is particularly important if the observance involves evening commitments or work obligations that could make it difficult to meet deadlines. Professors must be able to provide some flexibility with due dates or class participation.
Observances
For some religious observances, students may not be able to do assignments, use technology, or even attend classes on certain days. If this is the case, students should talk to their professors as soon as possible. Students should work with their professors to find solutions that work for everyone, such as alternative assignments or different test arrangements.
Open Communication
Professors are here to help students. If a student is worried about balancing their observances with classes, exams, or other school commitments, they should not hesitate to talk to them directly. The sooner students communicate their concerns, the better professors can work with them.
Jury Duty
During the course of the academic year, students may receive notification that they have been summoned for jury duty. Students who attend college in Massachusetts are required by law to fulfill their civic duty if summoned, even though their permanent or "official" residence may be in another state. If the date for which students have been summoned is inconvenient, they may request a postponement for up to one year.
Students who are required to miss classes because of jury duty should notify their instructors, who will work with the student to make up any missed assignments or exams. If students have any questions about their jury duty service they can email the Office of Student Engagement (sesd@simmons.edu).