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ATTENDANCE PRACTICE
The University Practice for Attendance is as follows:
Regular attendance and active participation in classes are essential elements in the learning process. Students are expected to attend all class sessions beginning with the first class session.
This practice has been shown to increase the success levels and retention of Davenport University students. For this reason:
- Attendance in all courses, including graduate, will be reported for the first two weeks of each semester or session.
Students can view their attendance:
Students will be administratively withdrawn for non-attendance following the process below unless previous arrangements have been made with their instructor. The instructor should be notified of a planned absence a minimum of 24 hours prior to the course meeting time.
| Delivery Modality | Attendance |
|---|---|
| Campus and Livestream Courses |
|
| FLEX |
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| On-Demand |
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In the event of an Administrative Withdrawal the student will receive a DU email notification from the Registrar’s Office. The email will be deemed to have been received by the student upon delivery. Students must contact their instructor regarding reinstatement into the course. Communication should be initiated at least one business day prior to the next course meeting or, at minimum, the beginning of the subsequent week for online.
If you are having trouble contacting your instructor or have concerns about attendance please submit a Course Concern form.
In the College of Health Professions, any absence in the MEDA designated courses and the professional practice experience (Practicum course) in many programs may constitute grounds for failure of the course. The course descriptions and/or syllabi will note these attendance expectations. Students may also reference the College of Health Professions Handbook for additional details.
Nursing students should reference the Nursing Handbook for additional attendance policy regulations in the Nursing program.
Administrative Withdrawal Schedule
While Administrative Withdrawals are done in accordance with the Attendance Practice detailed above, it remains the student’s responsibility to initiate an official withdrawal in all courses. Once the session/semester starts the student must contact their advisor to initiate an official withdrawal.
In the case of absences during or after the mandatory attendance period; class assignments, projects, and class participation may be used as part of the final grade and the instructor may choose not to allow make-ups on these. The instructor is responsible for stating in the syllabus the class policies regarding pop quizzes or makeup exams that may be influenced by class attendance.
- Any absence during the first week of the course – The student will be considered a no-show and administratively removed from the course. All tuition and fees associated with that course will be deleted from the student’s record. All tuition and fees associated with that course will be deleted from the student’s record.
- Reporting of attendance and possible administrative withdrawal for second week – Attendance will be reported the first two weeks for each semester and session. For any absence during the second week, the student will be administratively withdrawn based on the last date of attendance. A grade of “W” will be given for the course and tuition charges will be assessed based on that last reported date of attendance. Associated semester and course fees will not be refunded.
FLEX course attendance is defined as completion and submission of at least one gradable course activity by the end of the posted class meeting day and time. Attendance is independent of how the student elects to attend each class session.
- During the first week (7 days) of the course – Students must participate in the course at least once a week (7 days) by submitting an assignment for grading. Attendance will be defined as participating in an academic activity within the classroom, which includes posting in a graded discussion board or submitting a written assignment for grading. Posting any items not related to the graded assignments will be reviewed but may be disqualified for attendance purposes. This includes emails, discussion topics or other forms of communication with students or the instructor. Students should be aware that more frequent and regular participation may be required to master course material and pass a course. Any student that does not meet this minimum participation during the first 7 days will be considered a no-show and administratively removed from the course. All tuition and fees associated with that course will be deleted from the student’s record.
- During the second week (7 days) of the semester and session students must participate in the course a minimum of once a week (7 days) following the detailed definition of attendance described above. Any student that does not meet this minimum will be administratively withdrawn based on the last date of attendance. A grade of “W” will be given for the course and tuition charges will be assessed based on the last reported date of attendance. Associated semester and course fees will not be refunded.
Students must provide a valid excuse for any and all absences, and when possible, provide an official and documented excuse. Consult your instructor regarding what will be considered acceptable. The student whose absence was excused may not be penalized and may be allowed to complete an assignment, turn in a paper, and/or make up an examination in accordance with the instructor’s stated procedures and deadlines in the course syllabus.
- Instructors will consider a student’s verified illness or death of a student’s immediate family member as an excused absence.
- An absence based on a required military duty will be excused if certified by the student’s commanding officer.
- In cases of religious observances, legal obligations (such as jury duty), or attendance at official University sanctioned activities, the student must inform the instructor a minimum of 24 hours in advance for the absence to be excused.
- Student athletes should review their academic and athletic schedules at the beginning of each semester and session to determine if conflicts exist. It is the responsibility of the student athlete to communicate directly with his/her instructor(s), and make the necessary arrangements to complete the required work. The Athletic Department can provide a written notification that can be submitted to the instructor for each absence. Failure to notify the instructor at least 24 hours in advance will be treated as an unexcused class absence and the student may incur academic consequences.
- No class time can be missed for athletic practice or activities which would include on-field practice, training room time, team meetings, and conditioning (weight training/running).
- In rare and compelling circumstances not listed above, the student should make every effort to discuss reasonable accommodations with the instructor in advance, if feasible, or immediately upon return to class.
Implemented: Fall 2012
Expansion to Graduate Implemented: Winter 2015 2nd session
Reduced to two weeks only for all courses: Fall 2025 and removed attendance appeal
In-seat & Livestream:
- Any absence during the first week of the course – The student will be considered a no-show and administratively removed from the course. All tuition and fees associated with that course will be deleted from the student’s record. All tuition and fees associated with that course will be deleted from the student’s record.
- Reporting of attendance and possible administrative withdrawal for Foundations of Learning and 100 level courses – The Attendance Practice will continue for each semester and session until the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade. For any absence during the subsequent weeks, the student will be administratively withdrawn based on the last date of attendance. A grade of “W” will be given for the course and tuition charges will be assessed based on that last reported date of attendance. Associated semester and course fees will not be refunded. The last day to drop with a “W” for each semester and session is published on the Davenport website and in the University catalog. The specific date represents the 12th Friday of a 15 week semester, the 9th Friday of a 12 week semester, the 7th Friday of a 10 week session, and the 5th Friday of a 7 week session.
- Reporting of attendance and possible administrative withdrawal for 200 level and above courses – Attendance will be reported the first two weeks for each semester and session. For any absence during the second week, the student will be administratively withdrawn based on the last date of attendance. A grade of “W” will be given for the course and tuition charges will be assessed based on that last reported date of attendance. Associated semester and course fees will not be refunded.
On-demand Courses:
- During the first week (7 days) of the course – Students must participate in the course at least once a week (7 days) by submitting an assignment for grading. Attendance will be defined as participating in an academic activity within the classroom, which includes posting in a graded discussion board or submitting a written assignment or Voiceboard for grading. Posting any items not related to the graded assignments will be reviewed but may be disqualified for attendance purposes. This includes emails, discussion topics or other forms of communication with students or the instructor. Students should be aware that more frequent and regular participation may be required to master course material and pass a course. Any student that does not meet this minimum participation during the first 7 days will be considered a no-show and administratively removed from the course. All tuition and fees associated with that course will be deleted from the student’s record.
- For Foundations of Learning and 100 level courses during each of the subsequent weeks of the course until the last day to drop with a ‘W’ - Students must participate in the course a minimum once a week (7 days) following the detailed definition of attendance described above. Any student that does not meet this minimum will be administratively withdrawn based on the last date of attendance. A grade of “W” will be given for the course and tuition charges will be assessed based on the last reported date of attendance. Associated semester and course fees will not be refunded. Reporting of attendance and possible administrative withdrawal will continue for Foundations of Learning and 100 level courses each week of the semester and session until the last day to withdraw with a “W” grade. This date for each semester and session is published on the Davenport website and in the University catalog. The specific date represents the 12th Friday of a 15 week semester, the 9th Friday of a 12 week semester, the 7th Friday of a 10 week session, and the 5th Friday of a 7 week session.
- For 200 and above level courses attendance will be reported for the first two weeks of the semester and session – During the second week (7 days) of the semester and session students must participate in the course a minimum of once a week (7 days) following the detailed definition of attendance described above. Any student that does not meet this minimum will be administratively withdrawn based on the last date of attendance. A grade of “W” will be given for the course and tuition charges will be assessed based on the last reported date of attendance. Associated semester and course fees will not be refunded.