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Attendance Policies

The Columbia College Bulletin notes that "attendance in all class meetings, laboratory periods and other required events for a course is a basic expectation of all students enrolled in the course, whether or not attendance is noted as a requirement on a course syllabus." Faculty are advised to include clear attendance policies on their syllabi so that students know what the faculty member's expectations are. 

Because attendance is a basic expectation of all students, the CC-GS Committee on Instructions has determined that attendance in and of itself should not be graded and weighted in the final grade of the semester -- i.e., students should not receive a grade solely for attendance, and attendance should not be a standalone factor in a course's grading rubric. However, a student's attendance record may play a role in the determination of related grades, such as for participation, and/or in the determination of final grades.

From the Faculty Handbook published by the Provost Office:

Faculty have the discretion to set their own policies on class attendance and on making up missed assignments, subject to the limitations defined by the University’s policies on religious holidays and any requirements set by their schools. Faculty have an obligation to provide their students with a clearly written description of their policies at the start of the term and to follow them consistently.

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of Columbia College and of Columbia University to respect the religious beliefs of its faculty, students, and staff. In accordance with New York State law, no student may be penalized for absences due to religious beliefs.
 
Instructors are expected to avoid conflicts with religious holidays as much as possible, particularly with regard to required activities such as registration, class meetings, examinations, and assignment deadlines. When scheduling conflicts are unavoidable, instructors are expected to find alternative means by which students who must be absent for religious observance can complete missed academic requirements.
 
Students should inform their instructors at the beginning of the semester of plans to observe a religious holiday, so that instructors and students can form a plan for the term that takes into account any necessary alternative arrangements. It is important for students to understand that they are responsible for all course requirements, even when absences can be accommodated; for example, if participation in each class session is a course requirement, a student who misses a class for religious observance may be asked to make up the missed participation in some alternative way (e.g., a written response to the reading assignment).
 
If a suitable arrangement to accommodate absences for religious observation cannot be worked out between the student and the instructor, they should consult the appropriate department chair, dean or director. If an additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to the Provost whose determination is final.
 

Instructors who have questiosn about particular religious holidays or forms of observance should contact religiouslife@columbia.edu for guidance.

Any instructor who has concerns regarding the academic implications of a student’s religious observance should contact the academic dean of the student's school.
 

From the Faculty Handbook published by the Provost Office:

No student may be penalized for absences due to religious beliefs. Students are expected to inform their faculty of any religious holidays they intend to observe as early in the term as possible. Faculty are expected to find alternative means by which those students can satisfy missed academic requirements. If a suitable arrangement cannot be worked out between the student and the instructor, the instructor should consult the appropriate chair or dean or executive vice president. If an additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to the Provost whose determination is final.

Attendance Policies for Absences and Missed Class due to Infectious Diseases (such as COVID-19, influenza, and Monkeypox)

This attendance policy was announced for the University by the Provost Office and last updated in August 2022.

The current public health situation in the US and NYC indicates that we will likely encounter cases of both COVID and Monkey Pox this fall, as well as potentially other infectious diseases. Please note recent university communications here and here for campus updates.

To maintain the health and safety of students, staff and faculty during this academic year, and to support our students academically, below are guidelines regarding student absence.

For COVID-19 absences of 10 days or less:

Students who are adhering to isolation due to a diagnosis of COVID-19 must not attend class during their mandated isolation (which usually do not exceed 10 days, and in many cases will be less). Student absences relating to COVID-19 will be recognized as circumstances for which absences are excused, and students will not be penalized.

  • Students must contact their instructor to inform them that they will be unable to attend in- person classes for medical reasons. The student may decide to share the reason for the absence, but is not required to do so. Students must include the required dates of their absence and communicate regularly with the instructor about their ability to participate during that time. Faculty may not require documentation of such absences.
  • As for any illness of short duration, students should work directly with their instructors to develop a plan to receive instruction and complete course related work. Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for students who miss classes, assignments or exams due to necessary isolation related to COVID-19 illness.
  • Depending on the size, format and pedagogical goals of the class, instructors can support students in isolation in a number of ways to help students catch up on materials and assignments. For the duration of the short absence, support may include the following:
    • Record their lecture or class or make existing recorded lecture available
    • Invite a remote student to “attend” via a Zoom link to be used only during this period
    • Create an activity that students could complete on their own to make up missed class or content
  • Students should note that not all courses are being recorded and they should be in touch with their instructor as to the best way to make up missed class and assignments.
  • Instructors are not expected to teach additional hybrid or online sections to accommodate individual student absences of less than one week.

For extended absences – longer than 10 days:

Students who must be absent for longer than 10 days due to an infectious disease will need to provide appropriate medical documentation to Disability Services (DS). Documentation must include the medical diagnosis and the estimated length of time off required (due to isolation or prolonged symptoms), and can be obtained from the Medical Services or Contact Tracing teams. DS will expedite their registration process for students requiring accommodations due to a prescribed extended medical absence due to an infectious disease. Faculty members will be contacted by Disability Services or DS Liaison if appropriate to review what accommodations can be provided to a student who has a prolonged absence. Students will not be penalized for extended absences.

Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for students who miss classes, assignments or exams due to necessary extended absence related to infectious illnesses. Depending on the size, format and pedagogical goals of the class, instructors can support students who are absent in a number of ways to help students catch up on materials, assignments, and exams.

For the duration of the extended approved absence, support may include the following:

  • Record their lecture or class or make existing recorded lecture available
  • Invite a remote student to “attend” via a Zoom link to be used only during this period
  • Create an activity that students could complete on their own to make up missed class or content
  • Remote exam administration

Students should note that not all courses are being recorded and they should be in touch with their instructor as to the best way to make up missed class and assignments.

Additional resources for instructors and course assistants to support students through an excused extended absence are available here from the Center for Teaching and Learning.