University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence

An excused absence is an absence for which the student has the right to receive, and the instructor has the responsibility to provide, a reasonable academic accommodation pursuant to the terms of this Policy¹.

Students are expected to take full responsibility for their own academic work and progress. Students, to progress satisfactorily, must meet all of the requirements of each course for which they are registered. Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Consistent attendance offers students the most effective opportunity to gain command of course concepts and materials. Excused absences must be requested promptly and must be supported by appropriate documentation.

Excused absences do not alter the academic requirements for the course. Students are responsible for information and material missed on the day of absence. Students are within reason entitled to receive any materials provided to the class during the absence. Students are responsible for making provision to determine what course material they have missed and for completing required exercises in a timely manner.

Events that justify an excused absence include religious observances; mandatory military obligation; physical or mental health conditions of the student or an immediate family member; death of someone close to the student; participation in university activities at the request of university authorities; and compelling circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g., required court appearances). Absences stemming from work duties other than military obligation (e.g., unexpected changes in shift assignments) and traffic/transit problems do not typically qualify for excused absence.

To receive accommodation for an excused absence:

1. The student must notify the instructor in a timely manner. The notification should be provided either prior to the absence or as soon afterwards as possible. In the case of religious observances, athletic events, and planned absences known at the beginning of the semester, the student must inform the instructor during the schedule adjustment period. All other absences must be reported as soon as is practical.
2. The student must provide appropriate documentation of the absence. The documentation must be provided in writing to the instructor by the means specified in the syllabus.
3. One time per course per semester, students may provide a self-signed excuse as documentation of an absence from a single class (e.g., lecture, recitation, or laboratory session) that does not coincide with a major assessment or assignment due date.
4. For all additional absences, a course instructor may request that students provide documentation to verify an absence. In cases where students are asked to provide verification, the course instructor may request the time frame that the student is/was unable to meet academic responsibilities, but may not request protected personal information.
5. Providing false information to University officials is prohibited under Section VII.E of the University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct, Policy V-1.00(B), and may result in disciplinary action.

Absences excused pursuant to this Policy do not impact participation grades or other measures of course assessment, but do not otherwise relieve the student from complying with all course requirements. Students shall receive an accommodation for excused absences by having the opportunity to make up missed assignments and assessments as required by the instructor. If an excused absence results in a missed assessment or assignment and a makeup is necessary, it must be timely, at a time and place reasonably determined by the instructor, cover the same material, and be at the same level of difficulty as the original assessment or assignment. The makeup assessment or other makeup work by the student should, to the extent possible, neither advantage nor disadvantage either the student or the rest of the class. In the event that a group of students requires the same makeup assessment, one time and place may be scheduled. The makeup assessment must not interfere with the student's regularly scheduled classes, and must be consistent with the University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure, V-1.00(A).

If makeup work is not feasible, a reasonable, alternate accommodation for excused absences will be provided, so long as the alternate accommodation does not fundamentally alter the essential nature of the course or program. Alternate accommodations will be according to the principles established by the unit offering the course.

Students who miss a substantial number of class sessions or course assignments, or are in jeopardy of not being successful in the course, should consult with their instructor about their progress in the course and with an academic advisor with respect to academic options.

Extended absences stemming from active military duty are addressed in the USM Policy on Students Who Are Called to Active Military Duty During a National or International Crisis or Conflict, V-7.00.

Students who feel that they have unfairly been denied either excused absence or appropriate reasonable accommodation for an excused absence should first seek to resolve the disagreement with the course instructor. If the student and instructor are unable to find a mutually agreeable resolution, the student may file an appeal with the head of the administrative unit offering the class. In most cases this will be the Chair of the Department. In the case of non-departmentalized units and interdepartmental programs, this role will be taken by the Dean (or the Dean’s designee).

The unit head should use procedures similar to those specified in the University of Maryland Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading – Undergraduate Students, III-1.20(B), but with clear indication that the appeal is with regard to excused absence, not arbitrary and capricious grading.

Replacement for:
Policy V-1.00(G) University of Maryland Policy for a Student’s Medically Necessitated Absence from Class

¹ The Policy implements and incorporates by reference USM Policy Concerning the Scheduling of Academic Assignments on Dates of Religious Observance; Campus Space for Faith-Based or Religious Practices, III-5.10.