Students With Disabilities And Related Attendance Issues

Class attendance policies are not determined by Student Disability Services. Because attendance may be integral to the pedagogic process, these policies are set by faculty at the university, departmental, or individual level.

In some cases, attendance is fundamental to course objectives; for example, students may be required to interact with others in the class, to demonstrate the ability to think and argue critically, or to participate in group projects. In other instances, faculty may determine that mastery of course content may be achieved despite some or many absences.

Similarly, faculty also determine policies regarding make-up work and missed quizzes and exams. Faculty are not required to fundamentally alter standards for accommodation purposes.

Student Disability Services, upon request and written permission from the student, does issue a written letter which verifies the presence of a disability which has the potential to affect attendance. Verification is based upon written medical and/or psychological documentation from the appropriate professional.

The letter of notification should be used by the student to initiate discussions with professors. This should be done at the start of the semester or immediately after a diagnosis is verified. Classroom attendance policy, procedures for notifying the professor about absences, and make-up policies and procedures should all be discussed. Many students find that it is important to consider this information with respect to his/her disability. Thus, a determination may be made as to how the individual’s academic progress may be affected by absences within a particular course or field of study.

Students are responsible for reporting absences directly to their professors in accordance with the individual professor’s policy except in the event of an illness which is so severe that it results in the student being unable to do so. In this event, the student may contact Student Disability Services to request assistance in notifying professors. Student Disability Services may require verification of the immediate medical event.

Students are also advised to listen closely to faculty announcements about attendance and make-up policies and procedures and to check course syllabi for additional information about these issues.

Please contact Student Disability Services in Jordan Hall  Room 136, contact by phone at 317.940.9308, or by email at sds@butler.edu if you have additional questions or concerns.