A student is expected to attend every meeting of a class for which she is registered. The responsibility for attendance rests with the student. Excused absences may be granted to students who must miss class(es) for legitimate and documentable reasons of personal health, family concerns (illness, funeral, wedding) or participation in varsity athletics or other officially recognized activities. However, every absence carries the penalty of the loss of instruction given during absence, which may result in a lower grade for the course. Limited excused absences for personal health or family concerns are granted by Academic Affairs and First Year Studies.
Instructors send deficiency notices to all students whose work is not satisfactory at midterm. Copies of deficiency notices are sent to the parents of all first year students and sophomores, as well as juniors and seniors on academic probation, unless the student requests in writing that they not be sent and furnishes proof that she is not a dependent. Failure to receive a midterm deficiency notice does not preclude the possibility that the student may still fail the course nor does it imply that the student will automatically pass the course. A deficiency notice does not become part of a student's permanent record.
The final exam schedule is published at the beginning of the semester, and students are responsible for knowing the dates and times of their exams; transportation should be planned accordingly. Students should request a final exam change if they are scheduled for three exams in one day or three consecutive exam periods.
After five weeks a first year student may withdraw from a course with the permission of her instructor and Academic Affairs and First Year Studies. If a student withdraws from a course with a passing grade, the grade recorded is a W. If she is not passing, the grade is recorded as an F. With permission, a student may withdraw from a course up to the last class day. However, in most cases, a late withdrawal is not advisable.
