Ohio Administrative Code
Title 3342 - Kent State University
Chapter 3342-3 - Administrative Policies Regarding Academic Requirements
Section 3342-3-01.2 - Administrative policy regarding class attendance and class absence
Current through all regulations passed and filed through December 16, 2024
(A) Purpose. Regular attendance in class is expected of all students at all levels at the university. While classes are conducted on the premise that regular attendance is expected, the university recognizes certain activities, events, and circumstances as legitimate reasons for absence from class. This policy provides for accommodations in accordance with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination, including, but not limited to, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 104 ; Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 35 ; as well as university policy 5-16. This policy describes the procedures for requesting and responding to legitimate absences with the exception of absences for religious and spiritual beliefs. Absences for religious and spiritual beliefs are guided by rule 3342-3-01.14 of the Administrative Code.
(B) Class attendance. The individual instructor has both the responsibility and the prerogative for managing student attendance. The instructor's policy regarding attendance for each course should be written in the course syllabus and communicated to students during the first week of the term. The policy may take alternate forms within the bounds of appropriate instructional techniques.
(C) Class absence. Legitimate reasons for an "excused" absence include, but are not limited to, illness and injury, disability-related concerns, military service, death in the immediate family, academic field trips, and participation in an approved concert or athletic event, and direct participation in university disciplinary hearings.
(D) Academic requirement. Even though any absence can potentially interfere with the planned development of a course, and the student bears the responsibility for fulfilling all course requirements in a timely and responsible manner, instructors will, without prejudice, provide students returning to class after a legitimate absence with appropriate assistance and counsel about completing missed assignments and class material. Neither academic departments nor individual faculty members are required to waive essential or fundamental academic requirements of a course to accommodate student absences. However, each circumstance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
(E) Informal resolution should first be attempted between individual instructors and students in the event of any attendance-related concerns. If informal resolution is unsuccessful, the following offices, with respect to that office's purview, can provide assistance and guidance on attendance concerns, and instruction on filing a grievance: student ombuds, student accessibility services (SAS), or equal opportunity and affirmative action.
(F) Student responsibilities: In addition to this policy, students are responsible for following the procedures and policies of the respective offices from which they are seeking assistance, e.g. student accessibility services, the student ombuds, etc. In all instances of absences, students shall be responsible for all material covered in class during their absence. Students are responsible for completing any makeup work resulting from their absence. In no case is an excuse from class to be interpreted as a release from class responsibility.
(G) General procedures and responsibilities for requesting and determining legitimate class absence:
(H) Procedures and responsibilities for requesting an absence due to attendance at a sponsored activity. For the purposes of this rule, "sponsor" refers to the organizer of the activity or event.
(I) Procedures and responsibilities for requesting an absence due to a disability. Under no circumstances are students solely responsible for the resolution of such conflicts arising from disability-related absences.
(J) Procedures and responsibilities for absence due to medical illness/injury.
Refer to paragraph (G)(1) of this rule.
(K) Procedures and responsibilities for requesting an absence to perform military service.
Refer to paragraph (G)(1) of this rule