Why do universities have attendance policies

In fact, these rules make students more inclined to skip classes than if there were no policy in place. The dramatic and academically damaging consequences of attendance policies are unfair and leave students with a strained school, life and work balance. Stress and anxiety are inevitable as a result of these policies. Studies show that the leading cause of student absence is poor mental health.

Rather than subjecting students to strict policies, universities should shift their focus on providing mental health resources for the student body. Universities can start by promoting mental health by bringing awareness to the problem. They can advertise the mental health facilities and resources on and off campus for students to utilize.

Attendance is a necessary part of learning. Students need to interact in the classroom in order to best absorb the material being taught. With that being said, attendance policies are not an effective way to manage student attendance. Universities are filled with students from all walks of life from traditional, nontraditional and veteran students.

All these students of have lives and commitments outside of their education. These make take the form of a job, family, or other responsibility.

Oftentimes, students are fully committed to earning their degree but have another responsibility that results in them missing a few classes here and there. Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. College of Education and Human Development. College of Engineering. College of Health Sciences. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. Associate in Arts Program. Professional and Continuing Studies. Flexible Programs Promote Lifelong Learning.

Research Centers, Institutes, and Special Facilities. Print-Friendly Page opens a new window. Facebook this Page opens a new window. Tweet this Page opens a new window. Back to Top Print-Friendly Page opens a new window. Nov 12, In inclement weather, when classes have not been canceled, students should notify their faculty promptly if they are unable to attend class, as described in the Faculty Senate policies on Holding Classes and Inclement Weather NOTE: Students are not to be penalized if absent from an examination, lecture, laboratory, or other activity because of an excused absence.

Religious Holidays: It is the policy of the University of Delaware not to cancel classes on religious holidays. However, students and faculty are encouraged to exercise their own judgment pertaining to their attendance on these days. In addition, faculty are encouraged not to schedule examinations or require the submission of special assignments on the following days: the evenings before as well as the first two days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the fall term, Good Friday and the evening before and the first two days of Passover in the spring semester.

Absence on religious holidays listed in University calendars is recognized as an excused absence. Of course, that assumes a lot about the students. That approach allows for some customization based on the class, whether in terms of schedule once-a-week vs. It makes sense to me that attendance at Nursing clinical sites may require tighter rules than attendance in a classroom course. Online classes make the whole question of attendance somewhat more ambiguous.

Wise and worldly readers, what do you think? Should colleges set attendance policies across the board, or should those decisions be made at the faculty or department level? Expand comments Hide comments. View the discussion thread. We have retired comments and introduced Letters to the Editor. Students are required to inform their instructors if they are going to miss class for a college-sponsored activity.

Students should take both their education and participation in activities seriously. As stated above, the College is an attendance-taking institution. Financial aid is awarded to a student with the expectation that the student attends school for the period for which the assistance is awarded.

If a student does not begin attendance in all of his or her classes, the aid must be recalculated based on the actual attendance.

Students who are not in attendance for the courses in which they enrolled are not eligible to receive financial aid.