Class Absence Notification Requests
The Student Absence Notification Request Form is intended for critical situations and / or medical or family emergencies. We ask that you try to talk to your professors before we process an absence notification. It's best to have documentation to verify your situation.
Examples of critical situations and / or medical or family emergencies include:
- Apartment fire or natural disaster
- Concussions
- Crime victimizations
- Death in the family
- Family safety-related issues
- Hospitalizations
- Life-threatening issues
- Terminal illness
Non-emergency absences should be addressed with your professors directly.
The following examples are not considered emergencies, and related absences should be addressed directly with faculty:
- Allergies
- Doctor's appointments
- Short-term, self-limited illnesses (i.e. covid, flu, colds, stomach bug)
- Events (i.e. Family graduations, Weddings, etc.)
- Job interviews
- Relationship conflicts
- Slips / falls
- Sprains
For chronic or on-going medical or health issues, students will be referred to Disability and Access to register for classroom accommodations, including temporary accommodations.
Please Note the following:
- Our office responds to online requests within 2 business days.
- To address immediate needs, contact your professors as soon as possible.
- It will be at the professor's discretion to excuse absences or class work, even with an absence notification from our office. We encourage you to follow up on our absence notification with your professors to arrange making up class work and assignments.
How to talk to professors about your class absences
We recommend students talk to professors to help bridge the gap between a personal/family situation, illness or injury, or any other matters that may be impacting ability to temporarily attend classes, focus on classwork, and/or meet academic deadlines.
To assist with communications, we recommend the following tips to students:
- Email professor to convey initial situation.
- Discrete language you can use: medical reasons, unexpected personal situation, on-going health needs, family situation, etc.
- Utilize professor's office hours or ask to schedule an appointment to follow-up about missed coursework.
- Share documentation that can verify dates and situations.
- Plan ahead to discuss missed work: quizzes, assignments, exams, class participation.
- Try to create an action plan with the professor after meeting/talking.
- Continue to follow-up with professors for additional missed classes.
Example letter to professors:
Dear Professor Smith,
I am writing to share with you that I have not been able to attend your class (Course name/Unique #) on the following dates (Insert dates here) due to (insert situation here; i.e. illness/flu) situation. I am sorry that I have not been able to attend class; the situation was unexpected but I have been trying to catch up on course work as best as possible. I can provide documentation to verify the situation, if needed.
Can we set up a time to meet and discuss missed work and possible next steps?
Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to talking to you soon, when you are next available.
Sincerely,
Your name
EID
Documentation of Circumstances
Documentation is required prior to sending absence notifications. Examples of appropriate documentation include notes from treatment providers, hospital discharge forms, police reports, and obituaries. Submission of documentation does not guarantee that absence notifications will be provided. Additional documentation may be requested at the discretion of staff. Our office will not share details about your absence with professors.