Student Absences
Students may encounter situations that are unexpected and interrupt their ability to attend classes. Whether it is a severe illness, hospitalization, death in the family, or other critical incident, in most cases, students plan to resume class attendance as soon as they are able. It is recommended that students contact instructors for classes in which their attendance is impacted. However, in situations when students may miss several days, for example, three or more consecutive class days for a course, the Office of Student Life and Dean of Students, when requested and as a courtesy to a student, can send a notification to course instructors making them aware of a student’s absence.
Students or family members can request a class absence notification. We typically require documentation supporting the absence before sending a notification to course instructors. Depending on the nature of the absence, a staff member may also follow-up with a student for on-going support on behalf of the Dean of Students.
It is important to note that course instructors make the ultimate decision regarding excusing absences for extenuating circumstances. Students should consult their course syllabus and contact their individual instructor to obtain information on how absences will be handled for each class or to discuss the possibility for make-up work.
Excused Absences
Excused absences for students attending officially sponsored university functions such as athletic events or academic activities; religious holy days as per 11.20 of the Texas Tax Code; and military service should contact the instructor in advance to arrange for missed work and/or examinations.
For more information about the University’s class attendance policy refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
Absences on Religious Holy Days
UTRGV will excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of religious holy days, including travel for that purpose if, not later than the census date of the term, the student notifies the applicable instructors that they will be absent for a religious holy day. In addition, UTRGV will permit the student to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for the day of absence within a reasonable time after the absence. A religious holy day is a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under 11.20 of the Texas Tax Code. If the student and instructor disagree about the nature of the absence being for the observance of a religious holy day, or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, the student may utilize the student complaint process.
Requests for Religious AccommodationsA student seeking an accommodation due to religious belief or practice (other than absences for religious holy days – see "Attendance" policy in undergraduate and graduate catalogs for more details), must provide a timely written request via email at dos@utrgv.edu. The Dean of Students will assist in processing the request. |