Sarah Lawrence College

Student Handbook

Attendance Policies

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Attendance

Being present is an essential element of the academic life of the College. Students are required to consistently attend to their academic obligations. Consistent attendance for all academic obligations is required. Excessive absences can jeopardize a student’s standing in the class and can lead to course failure. Students are expected to notify faculty ideally 24 hours in advance when they must miss a class session or conference meeting.

For in-person courses, virtual attendance is not a substitute for the College’s in-person attendance requirements.

Faculty members are asked to notify the Office of the Dean of Studies about a student who has missed two classes or conferences in succession without prior notice or explanation. The office then notifies the don of such absences. Illness does not excuse a student from academic work. Regardless of the reason for an absence, missed coursework must be made up. When possible, faculty are asked to schedule field trips during or close to class meeting time to avoid conflict. Students are responsible for arranging to be excused from an academic commitment (at the teacher’s discretion) if there are conflicts with a field trip planned for another course or any other College-sanctioned activity (i.e., athletic competition, theatre production, etc.). Missed conferences may be rescheduled at the teacher’s discretion.

Students may not leave early for or return late from school breaks. All academic appointments must be met, including class meetings, don and class conferences, physical education classes, and laboratory meetings.

Religious Holiday Observances

Although the College does not close officially for religious holidays, the right of any member of the community to observe these holidays is respected. Students who will miss class are asked to inform their teachers in advance. Faculty are asked to help students make up the work missed because of such observance and to avoid scheduling special activities for those days.

Short-Term Absence from Campus

In the event of serious illness or personal emergency, a student may need to take a short-term leave from campus with an anticipated duration of one to two weeks. Prior to leaving campus, the student should notify their don, teachers, and the Office of the Dean of Studies. When the absence is health-related, the Health & Wellness Center should be informed so that they may assist as needed.

Individual faculty determine whether the short-term absence would constitute a fundamental alteration of the course’s essential elements, requirements, or mode of instruction. While teachers will make every effort to work with a student in this circumstance, it is important to note that not all courses can accommodate extended absences, and an in-person course cannot be converted to a remote course. Ultimately, the student is responsible for making up missed work either during the time away or immediately upon their return to campus.

If the health or personal emergency necessitates an absence of longer than two weeks, the student must consult with the Office of the Dean of Studies and faculty members to determine options which may include a course withdrawal, or a personal or medical leave of absence.