August 18, 2007

To:       Core Discovery Instructors

From:   Jean Henscheid, Director

Re:       University of Idaho policy on absences for university activities

This is to clarify the university’s policy regarding excused absences from class functions for university activities. Please share this letter with your students. This is the policy enforced by the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Office of the Dean of Students and no other written or verbal agreements preempt this policy. If you or your students have questions, please contact me, 885-6300, TLC 231, or the Office of the Dean of Students, 885-6757, TLC 232.

1. Students are not to be excused from class sessions (including evening sessions and other planned non-class-period activities) for any living group-related activities (including, but not limited to, residence hall meetings, fraternity or sorority house meetings, or other living group functions). This includes any function deemed “mandatory” by the living group officers that may carry with it fines or other penalties for non attendance.
2. Only students with a written request signed by a university official will be granted an excused absence for university-sponsored activities, including, but not limited to, travel to sporting events in which the student is an official participant (not spectator) and participation in scheduled, university-sponsored class field trips.
3. Students who will be seeking excused absences from evening functions because of other scheduled class functions (including science labs and evening tests) must notify you, the instructor, in advance of their absence to request an excused absence.
4. Students who are granted an excused absence are responsible for completing all work assigned during their absence in the timeframe you, the instructor, establish.

This policy is designed to help your students achieve academic s