Cottey College defines attendance as participating in the faculty and student interaction required by the course. The manner of participation used for attendance is defined by the format of the course. For in-class learning, attendance means that:
- students are expected to arrive at class on time and stay for the duration of the class; and
- students, whether present or not, are responsible for in-class content.
For online courses, attendance means following the communication requirements and due dates on the syllabus. For hybrid courses, students must follow both the online and in-class attendance requirements.
Administrative Withdrawal for Non-Attendance
First-week attendance (for in-class) or first-week online communication (for online learning) is required. Regular class attendance (for in-class) or online communication (for online learning) is expected of all students.
Instructors, together with the vice president for academic affairs and registrar, may drop a student from a course if the student:
- does not attend class sessions within the first week (in-class) or communicate online the first week (online learning), or
- does not attend class (in-class) or communicate online (online learning) for 14 consecutive calendar days (exclusive of spring break) prior to the withdrawal deadline noted in the academic calendar.
Students who are administratively withdrawn from a course will be notified via their Cottey email account.
Under all other circumstances, the student must initiate withdrawal from a course. Even if a student does not attend class meetings or does not log into the online course, the student remains financially responsible for paying tuition for the course, up to the date of formal withdrawal. Students who do not formally withdraw will receive a final grade in the course. The academic calendar available on Cottey’s website contains the add, drop, and withdrawal deadlines.
Administrative Withdrawal from the College
Students who attend/participate in none of their courses within the first week of classes, or who do not attend any classes within 14 consecutive calendar days (exclusive of spring break), may be administratively withdrawn from the College. Students will not be administratively withdrawn from the College past the withdrawal deadline noted in the academic calendar.
Notes:
- Instructors may develop more stringent attendance requirements for individual courses. The requirement and conse- quence, if applicable, will be included in the course syllabus.
- Please see also the Catalog sections labeled Satisfactory Academic Progress, Satisfactory Progress and Good Standing, Probation, and Dismissal. Student athletes may have additional requirements regarding minimum credits enrolled.
Participation in Co-Curricular Opportunities
Cottey College emphasizes academics. Cottey College also believes in the education of the whole student and values activities beyond the classroom such as participation in athletics, arts performances, leadership opportunities, connecting with P.E.O. constituencies, and attendance at professional/scholarly meetings, which are also considered academic. The faculty and sponsors of such activities endeavor to reach a compromise concerning absences that respects both the importance of class attendance and the benefits of opportunities beyond the classroom.
Culminating singular performance events, such as those for performing arts classes (choir concerts, dance concerts, music ensemble concerts, plays, etc.) require the participation of all members of the class for successful completion. It is also recognized that athletic teams (which hold a unique position of simultaneously being curricular and co-curricular) require the presence of all their members at contests. These events may take precedence over co-curricular (student organization, clubs) activities. In the situation where events conflict, it is expected students, faculty members, and sponsors will come to a solution that is best for the student(s).
It is the responsibility of students to:
- attend classes (as defined above)
- complete all assignments
- understand their instructors’ attendance policies
- keep track of their absences
- at least seven days in advance, inform their instructors in writing of any absences they anticipate for activities and arrange to make-up missed work. In the case of outdoor sports competitions, or other activities that might be suddenly cancelled and rescheduled, students should inform instructors as soon as possible.
It is the responsibility of sponsors of College events to:
- provide schedules that minimize class absences
- at least seven days in advance, inform the faculty in writing of any planned group absences. In the case of outdoor sports competitions or other activities that might be suddenly cancelled and rescheduled, sponsors should inform the faculty as soon as possible.
- recognize that student absences for college-sponsored activities must be minimal. A student may choose to attend class rather than a college-sponsored activity, and the student should not be penalized for making this choice.
It is the responsibility of faculty members to:
- recognize the value of participation in college-sponsored activities and allow students to complete work, such as hand in assignments or take exams at alternative times with seven days advanced notice. In the case of outdoor sports competitions, or other activities that might be suddenly cancelled and rescheduled, arrangement should be made at the instructor’s discretion.
- allow course-appropriate flexibility for absences due to opportunities beyond the classroom, including but not limited to offering alternative options for achieving the goals of regularly scheduled class meetings.
- recognize students may choose to attend the college-sponsored activity instead of class, to fulfill scholarship (e.g., athletic, fine arts) requirements, and the student should not be penalized for making this choice.