Regular attendance in classes is a vital part of the educational process. At the University of Virginia, students are expected to accept the responsibility of attending classes regularly and promptly.
Students must be enrolled in classes by the College's add deadline; students whose enrollment is cancelled and who miss this deadline must wait until the following term to return. Students must be enrolled at the University AND in a class to participate in that class.
It is recommended that instructors state their attendance policies to their classes. The instructor is not obligated to allow students to make up missed work; it is the instructor’s decision whether students may be allowed such a privilege.
Absences traditionally excused are those that occur because of
- Hospitalization
- Serious illness
- Death in the family
- Important religious holidays (click here for Provost's policy)
- Authorized University activities (field trips, University-sponsored athletic events)
Students anticipating an absence are expected to inform the instructor in a timely manner. Only when students are unable to contact instructors (e.g., debilitating illness, leaving town suddenly for family emergencies) do the Association Deans notify instructors.
Instructors may refer to the Association Dean any student whose attendance record they consider unsatisfactory. The dean's office, upon request from a faculty member, may disenroll a student with a grade of W. Once the class withdrawal deadline passes, the instructor may ask that the student be removed from the class and a grade of F will be assigned.
Neither the Department of Student Health nor the College Dean's office issues excuses for class absence or for missed quizzes. Only the instructor, not the Dean, can determine if the student can make up missed work. However, excuses for absences from final examinations must come only from the Dean's office.
Note: Faculty may drop students from their class who are not in attendance on the first day of the semester.
Simultaneous Enrollments
Students may not enroll in two courses that meet at the same time.
In the rare case where there is a small overlap (e.g., 5-10 minutes), an exam conflict, or one class ending when another begins, students may use the Time Conflict Override Form to request permission to enroll. This requires the written approval of both instructors and the Dean of the College.
Faculty have the authority to require 100% attendance and participation. Before the class withdrawal deadline, The Dean's office, upon request from a faculty member, may disenroll a student; if the drop deadline has passed the student will incur a grade of W. Once the class withdrawal deadline passes, the instructor may ask that the student be removed from the class and a grade of F will be assigned.