Attendance Policy

The participation of students in all courses is considered an important part of the academic procedure. Students are responsible for ascertaining attendance requirements for each course in which they are enrolled. Accordingly, each instructor shall make known to all students (preferably, as part of the syllabus), the policies on attendance for the class, including how attendance is used in grade computation. Instructors shall also make explicitly clear the extent to which class participation is requisite to the learning experience in that class. It is assumed that students will conscientiously fulfill this responsibility when courses are scheduled and will contribute to class activities. Instructors may consider irregular attendance in his/her evaluation of students' educational achievement. 

Specific policies related to excused and unexcused absences can be found in the Student Handbook and on program pages in the Catalog. Programs offered entirely online are considered nonattendance taking programs. 

Online Class Etiquette

Online course delivery is dependent on effective use of class meetings to deliver content, facilitate discussion, and answer questions. Recognizing that learners have a variety of unique needs, the following requirements ensure students are actively engaged in the learning and instructors are able to provide meaningful class sessions.

1. Attendance to class meetings is required. If students are unable to attend, prior permission must be granted from the instructor to receive an excused absence. Unexcused absences may lead to removal from the course.
2. Class meetings will be recorded so students may review the session. Students who were absent are responsible for viewing the recording and will be given an alternate task to compensate for missing class.
3. Preferably, students should use a computer or tablet for class meetings. Participating in class meetings is possible with a cell phone but is not ideal. Landlines should be used only when other devices aren’t working.
4. Students should mute their microphone upon entering the class meeting and unmute their mic to participate in discussion or to ask a question.
5. Students should have the camera on during the entire class meeting. If an emergency arrives, students may send a chat message privately to the instructor and turn off the video. Exceptions should be discussed with the instructor prior to the first class meeting if possible. Exceptions include:
   • Students have limited bandwidth or no webcam
   • Students are in an environment with a lot of visual distractions
   • Students need a private moment
   • The instructor sees issues with bandwidth and requests cameras be turned off
6. Use a headset if possible to improve audio quality.
7. All additional apps and screens should be closed unless they are essential to the class discussion. Students should also turn off music or other background noise.
8. When speaking, say your name then add your question or comment.
9. Use the chat window for questions and comments that are relevant to class discussion. The chat window is not a place for socializing or posting comments that distract from the course activities.
10. Reaction buttons, raising hands, and other emoticons are encouraged to show you are participating the discussion even though you are not speaking. Instructors may require use of reaction buttons, chat box, polling, discussion groups, or other options to encourage active engagement.
11. Interruptions as well as awkward silences may occur. The instructor will work through these issues as needed.
12. Privacy concerns:
    • Students who will be sharing their screens should open relevant documents ahead of class meeting time. Avoid showing the entire desktop.
    • Use the virtual background options or move to a location that doesn’t reveal your living space.
    • Students are able to click on Hide Self-View or place a sticky note over their faces if they are uncomfortable seeing themselves.
    • Avoid using names of colleagues, students, or school districts to maintain professional confidentiality.
13. Sharing the recording, taking screen shots, or distributing course content and discussion is not authorized and may violate FERPA, copyright, or other personal rights of students and instructors.