Attendance 

Students are encouraged to attend every class / laboratory / discussion session. 

  • It is the responsibility of each student to know the attendance and absence policy for each of their courses as outlined in the course syllabus.  Students with questions are encouraged to ask the instructor for clarification.
  • If an issue arises, the stated attendance and absence policy within the syllabus will be used to help adjudicate a problem.

Absences related to SDS accommodations follow different policies and procedures than those below; visit the related website for more information. 

Absences: Illness, Religious Holy Days, Unavoidable Circumstances 

University regulations require that students be allowed to make up examinations which have been missed due to illness, religious holy days, or other unavoidable circumstances or other sponsored University activities.  Students should work with faculty regarding making up other missed work such as assignments, quizzes, and classroom attendance. 

Short-term Illness 

Students with the flu, colds, or other viruses are encouraged by the health care community to stay home and not to seek care since viruses spread quickly in public places.  Student Health no longer provides documentation to students for short-term illness. (Note: Information on long-term illness is in the next section.) 

Long-term Absence

At times, students may find themselves needing to miss courses for an extended time away (5 or more days).  In such instances, a student (friend or family member when the student is physically unable to submit a request) may request an official absence notice be sent to their faculty members.  Student Care & Assistance works with the Office of the Registrar to provide support during absences. 

Absence situations may include: hospitalization, medical emergencies or long-term illness (including physical or mental health concerns), chronic conditions, death of a family member, natural disasters, or military/legal obligations.  Please refer to the following link for additional information:  https://dos.uiowa.edu/assistance/absence-information/

  • A student with a long-term absence should notify the instructor as soon as possible or ask a family member to do so.
  • A student with a long-term illness should provide a record of appointments or documentation from a health care provider, stating the student has been under the doctor's care. 
  • Students who visit Student Health have access to their electronic medical records through MyChart.  If a student has activated this service, they are able to print a summary of appointment dates and times from MyChart.  A student's specific medical record should not be shared with an instructor for reasons related to the student's privacy and federal mandates.
  • A student who is absent for more than five days because of a serious emergency or a severe illness may request the UI Service Center, 2700 University Capitol Centre (UCC), 319-384-4300, registrar@uiowa.edu, notify each instructor about absence.
  • The Engineering Registrar, 2045 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, also may be contacted so that the office can help the student and discuss possible options.  Please call 319-335-5768, or e-mail engr-registrar@uiowa.edu, if assistance is required.
  • Depending on the amount of work missed, it may be necessary for the student to drop courses or withdraw from the entire semester. 
  • An Incomplete may be given by an instructor only when the amount of work not completed is small and the student is in good standing in the course.
  • Students who need ongoing academic accommodations for chronic conditions should apply for accommodations through Student Disability Services.

Mandatory Religious Obligations 

A student with a mandatory religious obligation who notifies their instructor of the conflict in a timely manner shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the material or activities covered in their absence, including tests.  Students who receive an exemption on religious grounds cannot be penalized for failing to attend class on the days exempted.  The instructor may, however, appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete any alternative assignment or examination.

Unavoidable Circumstances 

An unavoidable circumstance is defined as an event beyond the student's control and often involves a serious and unexpected hospitalization, a family tragedy, or a related incident.  Such circumstances do not include attendance at a wedding, a family vacation, obligations related to work, or other such matters. 

  • Students should contact their instructors as soon as possible to notify them of the event.
  • If this is a serious emergency that will last longer than five days, the student or a family member also may contact the UI Service Center, 2700 University Capitol Centre (UCC), 319-384-4300, registrar@uiowa.edu.  This office will notify the student’s instructors of the absence.
  • The Engineering Registrar, 2045 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, also may be contacted so that the office can help the student and discuss possible options.  Please call 319-335-5768, or e-mail engr-registrar@uiowa.edu, if assistance is required.  
  • Depending on the amount of work missed, it may be necessary for the student to drop courses or withdraw from the entire semester. 
  • An Incomplete may be given by an instructor only when the amount of work not completed is small and the student is in good standing in the course.
  • Students who need ongoing academic accommodations for chronic conditions should apply for accommodations through Student Disability Services.

Absences: UI Authorized Activities 

Activities authorized by UI include participation in intercollegiate athletic teams, in the marching band and pep band, attendance at events scheduled by recognized University groups as well as participation in University field trips, service with the National Guard, and jury duty.

Activities related to employment, fraternities or sororities, or volunteer activities are not considered UI authorized activities.