Department of Rhetoric and Composition Attendance Policy

Regular class attendance is essential to the learning process. Students who are absent are responsible for making up their work. They should find out what they missed and what they need to prepare for the following class. If students miss a class due to illness, they need to provide valid documentation. If students miss a class due to a serious or an unavoidable emergency, they should contact their instructor.

Students are expected to arrive promptly to class. Frequent tardiness will result in it being counted as an absence. Tardiness by more than ten minutes constitutes one absence. Students who miss six class hours per semester run the risk of failure, while those who miss nine hours, will automatically fail the course. Students who exceed these limits will receive a warning letter/email.

It is up to the individual instructor whether to allow a make-up for students who miss an in-class assignment or exam. Similarly, it is the instructor who decides whether to give another conference for students who do not turn up for a scheduled one.

Do I have to attend every class session in Department of Rhetoric and Composition courses?

Regular class attendance is essential to the learning process. Students who are absent are responsible for making up their work. They should find out what they missed and what they need to prepare for the following class. Students who miss more than six class hours per semester (whether they are excused or unexcused) run the risk of failure, while those who miss nine hours, will automatically fail the course.

If I am absent how can I find out what I missed and prepare for the next class?

You can access your WebCT account (see Accessing your WebCT Account for detailed information) using an Internet connection and a regular web browser. Your account will list your writing course and when you click on that course you will find all the information you need about the writing assignments and the deadlines in your class.

What if I am sick or there is an emergency?

If a student misses a class due to a serious illness they need to provide valid documentation. If a student misses a class due to a serious or an unavoidable emergency, they should contact their instructor by phone or e-mail. Although this is an excused absence it still counts as an absence and counts towards the nine hours that will make you run the risk of failing.

What if I miss an exam, an in-class assignment or a conference because I was absent?

According the AUC policy "instructors need not give substitute assignments or examinations to students who miss class". It is up to the individual instructor whether to allow a make-up for students who miss an in-class assignment or exam. Similarly, it is the instructor who decides whether to give another conference for students who do not turn up for a scheduled one.

What if I am late to class? How is that counted?

Students are expected to arrive promptly to class. Frequent lateness will result in it being counted as an absence. Lateness, or tardiness, by more than ten minutes constitutes one absence. Individual teachers will set their own guidelines for their classes and you should ask the teacher what they are.