Texas Tech University

Attendance Policies

Creating a successful attendance policy can be difficult.  Numerous factors contribute to the establishment of the final policy including: university policy, departmental policy, individual beliefs or expectations, class size, course content.  The list goes on.  There is no "perfect" attendance policy.  There is not one right way.  A successful attendance policy is reflective of the course objectives and expectations, leaving no questions about what is required of the students. 

Your Policy

When composing an attendance policy it is critical that the language is clear and concise.  One of the first things to determine and to state is how students will be affected by their attendance.  If attendance, or lack thereof, will directly influence students' grades, the attendance policy should reflect accordingly.  In addition, examples and/or explanations can be very helpful as they provide students with a fool-proof guide to the policy's application.  It is best not to make any assumptions, spell everything out including explanations of excused and unexcused absences and make-up policies.

A general observation: don't get wordy — be articulate and concise. Clarity is key!

TTU Policy (OP 34.04)

Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. Regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes is expected, and the university reserves the right to deal at any time with individual cases of non-attendance.

The instructor determines the effect of absences on grades consistent with university policy for excused and unexcused absences. When absences jeopardize a student's standing in a class, it is the responsibility of the instructor to report that fact to the student's dean. Excessive absences constitute cause for dropping a student from class. The drop may be initiated by the instructor but must be formally executed by the academic dean. If the drop occurs before the 45th class day of a long
semester or the 15th class day of a summer term, the Office of the Registrar will assign a grade of DG. If the drop occurs after those times, the student will receive an F. In extreme cases, the academic dean may suspend the student from the university.

Department chairpersons, directors, or others responsible for a student representing the university on officially approved trips must notify the student's instructors of the departure and return schedules. The instructor so notified must not penalize the student, although the student is responsible for material missed. Any student absent because of university business must be allowed to make up missed work within a reasonable span of time or have alternate grades substituted for work due to an excused absence. Students absent because of university business must be given the same privileges as other students; e.g., if other students are given the choice of dropping one of four tests, then students with excused absences must be given the same privilege.

In case of an illness that will require an absence from class for more than one week, the student should notify her/his academic dean. The dean's office will inform the student's instructors through the departmental office. In case of class absences because of a brief illness, the student should inform the instructor directly.

Refer to OP 34.19, Student Absence for Observance of Religious Holy Days, for information regarding an absence to observe a religious holy day.

TTU Operating Policy and Procedure Manual

Examples of Institutional Policies

Links Descriptions

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University offers logical and reasonable suggestions for absences and absence documentation for their instructors to follow in creating their own attendance policies.  The language is good as it is broad enough to allow for extenuating circumstances, but still clear enough to rule out unjustifiable claims

Kent State

The policy from Kent State in Ohio gives examples of absences and tangible steps for faculty and student action in each area.  

Indiana University

This attendance guide from Indiana University Bloomington is written for faculty and discusses the importance of an attendance policy for your course, how to take attendance, and taking into consideration the wellness of your students.

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona states that instructors should outline their course attendance policies in the syllabus but they offer a general student guide for types of absences and accomodations. In Fall 2021, the university formed a workgroup to create language around COVID related absences. This guide suppliments the standard policies from the Dean of Students and helps instructors as they communicate their attendance policies in light of COVID and the CDC requirements: Updates to Class Absence Practice and Recommended Syllabus Language

 

Faculty Policy Examples

Links Descriptions

Alec Cattell - CMLL 2306 D01: Introduction to World Cinema TTU (Online, Synchronous)

For this synchronous online course, Dr. Cattell includes a detailed attendance policy that begins with a chart that shows how much of the final grade attendance is worth. Attendance is mandatory and he describes the preparation involved that is included in the attendance grade. He adds language from OP 34.04 about absences for religious observances and university approved trips.

Alec Cattell - GERM 2302: A Second Course in German II (Face-to-Face)

Dr. Cattell outlines a concise policy and states that participation is mandatory. He provides the final attendance grade percentage and includes how attendance will be graded on a weekly basis.

Mitzi Ziegner - HDFS 3306.H01 Understanding Child and Adolescent Behavior: Poverty Risk and Resiliency for the TTU Honors College

Professor Ziegner is transparent about the value of attendance and includes details about how inappropriate technology use could affect the attendance grade. She does provide some flexibility, outlines an illness-based policy, and provides her rubric for the final attendance grade based on unexcused absences.

Teaching, Learning, & Professional Development Center

  • Address

    University Library Building, Room 136, Mail Stop 2044, Lubbock, TX 79409-2004
  • Phone

    806.742.0133
  • Email

    tlpdc@ttu.edu