/Institutions/Simmons-College/json/2021-2022/Graduate-Course-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Simmons-College/json/2021-2022/Graduate-Course-Catalog.json

Class Attendance

Students are responsible for the entirety of the work in each of their registered courses. Instructors may consider individual class attendance when determining a student’s final grade for a course. In addition to lowering a grade, absences may justify a failing grade for the entire course. Students should consult their program handbook and course instructors for specific consequences, policies, and procedures for absences and for makeup work. 

All students with an absence due to an illness:

• Students are responsible for informing their instructors in advance of absence or tardiness.
• Students who expect to be absent from class should notify their instructors in advance.
• Students missing more than the maximum allotted classes may not be able to complete the course and may be encouraged or required to withdraw.*
• Students absent from class for two or more days due to illness should seek medical care. If a medical provider recommends an alteration to a student's schedule or a change in activities as part of a treatment plan, the student should inform their instructors and advisor immediately. Students may be asked to provide the Office of Student Affairs written documentation (in adherence with federal and state privacy and public health regulations) from the appropriate health care provider.
• Scheduled classes have priority when in conflict with the out-of-class exam or other activity scheduled for another course.

*Students should consult program-specific handbooks for additional policies, including those on placement and practicum attendance.

On Ground Graduate Students With An Absence Due To A COVID-19 Diagnosis:

If a student tests positive for COVID-19 through the Health Center’s testing protocol, they will receive notification from the Health Center with instructions on the requirements for isolation. If a student tests positive outside of the Health Center’s testing protocol, they should contact the Health Center immediately to inform them of the diagnosis. Faculty will be alerted to the student’s absence; students are responsible communicating with faculty to coordinate any missed work per this attendance policy. Both the student and the instructor will receive a notification prior to the clearance date to confirm the student’s ability to return to class. Students can be cleared when at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset AND at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND other symptoms have improved (e.g., cough, shortness of breath).

Some academic programs may have additional expectations or requirements that students will need to adhere to before returning to the classroom. This is particularly true for students in practicum and clinical experiences, where sites may also have specific requirements. Students should contact their program director or academic unit head (or department chair) (INCLUDE LINK HERE) to ensure that they understand the requirements and the process to be cleared to return.

Extenuating medical circumstance may result in a student’s need to consult with an advisor or academic unit head (program director) to discuss other options which may include a leave of absence, a request for an incomplete (see your program handbook or program director), or a withdrawal. If this is the case, the student should consult with their advisor or academic unit head (program director) (LINK) immediately to explore available options.

Absence from Clinical/ Field Placement/Practicum

Students should consult their program handbook and clinical or field manual for specific consequences, policies, and procedures for absences and makeup work regarding absences from placements and practica. 

 

Absence due to Military Obligations

Students who are required to participate in weekly or monthly meetings, weekend drills, annual trainings, military schooling or any other training or official military event as a member of the ROTC, National Guard, Reserves, or the Inactive Ready Reserve, will be excused from class. The student is required to contact their faculty regarding making up work prior to missing class. Students should consult their program handbook for specific procedures and documentation requirements. 

 

Absence due to Military Obligations: Called to Active Duty

Students should consult the Leave of Absence Policy.

 

Absence due to Religious Observance

Students who are unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in an examination, class, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from the class, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work they may have missed consistent with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151C, Section 2B. That law states:

Any student in an educational or vocation-al training institution, other than a religious or a denominational educational or vocation-al training institution, who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work missed because of such absence on any particular day, provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effect shall result to any student because of his/her availing himself of the provisions of the sections.

Questions about absences for religious observance should be directed to the Office of Student Life or the Registrar’s Office.

 

Absence due to Jury Duty

During the course of the academic year, students may receive notification that they have been summoned for jury duty. Students who attend college in Massachusetts are required by law to fulfill their civic duty if summoned, even though their permanent or "official" residence may be in another state. If the date for which students have been summoned is inconvenient, they may request a postponement for up to one year.

Students who are required to miss classes because of jury duty may notify the Office of Student Life by calling 617-521-2124. Staff members in the Office of Student Life will notify the appropriate faculty members, who will work with the students to make up any missed assignments or exams. Upon completion of jury duty, students are expected to bring a copy of the documentation of their service to the Office of Student Life.