Class Attendance Policy

Admission to Olivet Nazarene University is a privilege that represents an investment by the supporters of the University as well as the student. The opportunities provided by the University are open only to those who are willing to devote themselves to the serious business of education.

Students are expected to attend all class meetings for which they are registered except in cases of prearranged field trips, official assignments by the University, participation in scheduled intercollegiate athletic events, or participation in official music ensemble tours as may be considered excusable by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. With the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, a faculty member may stipulate a limit on the number of excused absences permitted in a course.

Attendance requirements in each course are determined by the professor, and will be clearly stated in the course syllabus filed with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and distributed in class during the first week of the semester.

The student is personally responsible for all class work assigned in a course, even during absence. In case of absence, the student should inquire about the possibility of making up work missed. The student may be penalized for work missed, even though the reason for the absence is legitimate, if he or she fails to explain the reason for the absence and meet the requirements of the instructor in making up the work. If the explanation of the absence is acceptable to the instructor, the student will be permitted, to the extent possible, to make up work missed.

When absences not covered by educational leniency are not acceptable to the instructor, the student may be refused the privilege of making up the work, and may be assessed a consequent grade penalty. Those who do not expect to attend a class regularly should not enroll in the class. Those who find it impossible to attend class regularly should withdraw from the University before their record is marred by irregular attendance.

Protracted absence does not constitute a withdrawal, and will be treated as a failure in the course. For the procedure to be followed in changing or dropping a course, see the section on “Registration” in this chapter of the Catalog.