Class attendance is an essential part of the educational process at Jefferson State, and students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered to facilitate their academic success. In general academic performance is impacted by the number of classes a student attends. Financial Aid and other scholarship programs may require stringent attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific requirements of these programs. Student absences are calculated from the first official day of class. When a student registers late, the classes that the student missed from the first scheduled class date will be counted as absences. Students are expected to attend class on time and are expected to remain in class for the duration of the published class time. Students are responsible for the knowledge, skills and abilities not acquired due to absences and for assignments made or due from the first official day of class. If a student has excessive absences and is in jeopardy of failing the course, she/he is encouraged to consult with the instructor. Instructors will not withdraw students for any reason. If a student fails to officially withdraw from a course, this could result in a grade of “F”. Students receiving financial aid or scholarships should consult the Financial Aid Department or their scholarship coordinator to determine how an “F” or “W” may affect their tuition assistance.
Circumstances may arise, including but not limited to illness of the student or an immediate family member, accidents, death of an immediate family member, jury duty, court appearance, religious holy day, or involuntary call of military personnel to active duty, which are, upon presentation of official documentation, determined to be excused absences. Participation in college related events which the student is required to attend by the club sponsor and which have been approved by the appropriate Dean will also be excused. When such an absence occurs, students are responsible for providing official documentation of the reason for the absence to the instructor and make-up work will be accepted.
Instructors should keep a record of attendance for each class meeting, ensuring that only students listed on the current course roster are attending class. Instructors should develop a course syllabus which clearly states how absences, late arrivals and early departures will be addressed as well as the individual instructor’s policies for make-up work, consistent with the college’s attendance policy. The policies stated in the course syllabus for a student’s specific class will be the policies for which the student will be held accountable. This syllabus should be distributed, explained and discussed at the first official class meeting. Student grades will be based solely on the demonstration of the understanding of principles and concepts, or the successful application and performance of skills and competencies related to course content.
Students enrolled in Internet and/or Hybrid courses become responsible for course materials and assignments posted in Blackboard on the official first day of class. Students should access Internet and/or Hybrid courses via Blackboard within the first official week of classes and become familiar with each individual course’s requirements. Students should access their Internet and/or Hybrid courses regularly to remain current regarding expected due dates and assignments. Attendance in Internet and/or Hybrid courses goes beyond course login, and is based on documentable participation in class activities. Interacting with the instructor, interacting with enrolled students, attending required on-campus meetings and/or submitting course assignments all constitute attendance. Any student who is not able to actively participate in class activities or complete course assignments is encouraged to consult the course instructor.
The above attendance policy shall apply to all credit courses at Jefferson State, including Lecture, Lecture/Web-Supported, interactive video conference, Hybrid and Internet courses.
