Webster University-Greenville Metropolitan Campus

Policy on Student Attendance

Course Attendance

The University reserves the right to drop students who do not attend class the first week of the term/semester. Students are expected to attend all class sessions of every course. In the case of unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor. The student is subject to appropriate academic penalty for incomplete or unacceptable makeup work, or for excessive or unexcused absences. Generally, a student who misses more than one four-hour course period (per course) without a documented military or medical excuse and advanced permission from the instructor should withdraw from the class.

Excused Absence  

The instructor should encourage students to notify him or her prior to class if an absence is anticipated.  If a student is absent, the instructor is to assign makeup work to cover the materials presented that week.

If a student has two absences, the instructor has the option to lower the student's grade one letter grade and to inform the student of the action. 

If a student has three absences, the instructor has the option to assign a grade of F and to inform the student of the action.  It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course.

In an extreme case, when the instructor chooses to award a grade of I (Incomplete) for three or four absences, the student must provide acceptable documentation to verify that the absences were unavoidable (e.g.- illness, work conflict, military temporary duty).  Faculty should contact the director or department chair to determine the procedures required for this option.

If a student is absent for a fifth class, with or without acceptable documentation, the instructor is to inform the student that his or her grade for the course is F.  It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course.

Unexcused Absence

If a student is absent, the instructor is to assign makeup work, which may exceed the material presented that week.  If a student has two absences, the instructor has the option to lower the student's grade one letter grade and to inform the student of the action.  If a student has three absences, the instructor has the option to assign a grade of F and to inform the student of the action.  It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course.

(Handbook for the Adjunct Faculty, Webster University, October 1995)

Add/Drop/Withdraw Procedures

M.A.T., M.A., M.S., M.S.N., M.B.A., M.F.A., M.M., D.Mgt., Ed.S.

1. A student may add or drop a course by completion of an official Add or Drop Slip prior to the conclusion of the drop/add period. Informing the course instructor is not sufficient notice for adding or dropping a course.**
2. A student may add a course within six calendar days of the first officially scheduled class meeting of the course section, except for the online M.B.A. In these circumstances, absence from one class meeting is permitted.
3. A student may drop a course within the first two weeks of the term. For more detailed information please refer to the Refunds section of the catalog. In these circumstances, the enrollment is not recorded, tuition charges are not incurred, and certification for veterans' educational benefits is not filed.
4. The drop or add procedures must be followed when a student changes from one section of a course to another section. A change from one section to another must occur during the drop/add period. Changing a section without following these procedures may result in no credit being awarded.
5. A student may withdraw from a course by filing a Withdrawal Petition prior to the Friday of the sixth week of the term. A grade of W will be recorded on the transcript. Students should consult the Refunds section under Tuition, Fees, and Refunds for further information.
6. If veterans' educational benefits apply, the regional V.A. office will be notified of the date on which a student officially ceases attendance.

SOURCE:  2002-2003 Graduate Catalog

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