Attendance
All students at Lindenwood University are expected to attend all classes and all class activities for which they have enrolled. If classes are missed, a student is expected to inform the instructor and to make up the work to the satisfaction of the instructor concerned.
At times, absence from class may be unavoidable—as in instances of prolonged illness, hospitalization, mandatory religious practices, or participation in an approved student activity. (For information regarding absence due to University-sponsored activity, see the Excused Absence Policy for Students Engaged in LU Authorized Events). A student who has been hospitalized should submit a doctor’s verification to the instructors of the courses missed. Written verification of religious observances may be required.
In the case of unsatisfactory work due to excessive absences from class, the instructor may give ample warning to the student that his/her work is unsatisfactory and may report a final grade of F or AF to the registrar.
Note: Persons receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration are governed by special regulations concerning class attendance See Veterans’ Benefits, appearing earlier in this catalog.
Lindenwood University allows students engaged in official sports contests, arts events, approved field trips, approved conferences, etc., to be excused from class for University-sponsored events in which those students are officially representing the University. Students are required to communicate personally with their professors regarding their anticipated absences and make arrangements for missed work in advance of their University-authorized absences. When make-up work is pertinent, students who have provided their professors with advance notice should be afforded the opportunity to complete that work or an educationally equivalent and substitutable activity at a time and place mutually agreed upon by the student and the faculty member.
Note: Students enrolled in classes with extremely compressed meeting schedules will not be excused from class attendance, even for a university-authorized event, if participation in the event would cause the student to miss a significant portion of the scheduled meeting time. Such classes will be clearly identified in the course syllabus and in the student portal. Students who enroll in such a class and find that they must be absent will be advised to withdraw from the class.
All members of the Lindenwood community have responsibilities to ensure that the Excused Absence Policy functions properly and efficiently for students, staff, and faculty. Below are the responsibilities of each party affected by or involved with the Excused Absence Policy:
Athletics Department
The Lindenwood Athletics Department should provide at least 48 hours’ advance written notice of student-athlete absences for an upcoming sporting event or sport-related activity. The notice should list the name of each student who will be absent from class or other University related event because the student is representing the University in an athletic event or function. If a situation arises in which 48 hours’ notice is not possible, the Athletics Department should notify the faculty of changes or additions to the list of excused student-athletes as soon as possible.
Academic Departments
A faculty member or academic department sponsoring a special co-curricular event or outing should first complete a field trip form and submit it to the office of the Provost for approval. This form should list the name of each student attending the outing, along with a sponsor signature, serving to stipulate that all students who will be traveling have signed a travel waiver. Once the outing is approved, the sponsor must provide at least 48 hours’ advance written notice to the University community by sending the list of names of all students who will be absent from class or other University related event because they are representing the University at an event or function. This list is to be sent to the Director of Executive Communication for distribution. If a situation arises in which 48 hours’ notice is not possible, the sponsoring professor or department should notify the faculty of changes or additions to the list of excused students as soon as possible.
Professors
Professors affected by excused student absences should make reasonable accommodations for excused students who are missing class or other academic activities because of their participation in an event or other function related to their participation in a scheduled, University-authorized co-curricular event. Professors should, in advance of any such excused absences, stipulate in writing (i.e. in the course syllabus) their expectations of and procedures for students who must miss class for authorized reasons. Each professor’s expectations and procedures should meet the parameters outlined in this Excused Absence Policy and should be reviewed with all students during the first week of class.
Students
Students who must miss class for a Lindenwood sporting event or other Lindenwood-authorized activity must, in person or via personal communication (i.e. Lionmail), provide advance notice to all of the professors whose classes they will miss regarding their specific details of their upcoming absence. If possible, this notice should be given to professors at least 72 hours in advance of the affected class meetings. If 72 hours’ notice is not possible, the student should notify his/her professor as soon as possible. This personal notice shall be given in addition to the general notice provided by the Lindenwood Athletics Department or academic department (via the Director of Executive Communication) sponsoring the event. In each case, the student is also expected to prepare thoroughly for and promptly engage in any substitute or “make-up” assignment or activity.