Class Absences due to Illness

Students often ask what to do if they miss a class or an exam due to illness. In general, we encourage students to communicate directly and quickly with their professors about significant problems that affect their attendance or performance in class. Each professor or department may establish their own standards about attendance. Even when the standards are not stated explicitly, you may be penalized for some absences. Some departments allow several absences per semester: you should save these for times when you are ill, or absolutely must miss class. In any case, go to class regularly when at all possible.

If a short-term illness causes you to miss a few classes and your professor would like some documentation, you can consult with your class dean.

If a significant illness causes you to miss a week or more of classes in succession, you will be offered a Medical Treatment Form from Health Service, or you may obtain a similar letter from another physician indicating that you have been treated by a health provider and given a diagnosis. Take the form or letter to your instructors. Additional certification of illness by the deans is not required, but you are encouraged to consult your class dean if your ability to keep up with academic obligations seems jeopardized by your illness.

Health Service will provide a medical treatment form only if you have been evaluated and treated during the course of the illness, not after recovery. Health Service does not provide medical documentation to students for minor short-term illness such as colds (even really bad colds), coughs, vomiting, diarrhea, and sore throats. Health Service does provide documentation for more significant and prolonged illnesses such as mono, pneumonia, influenza, and conditions requiring hospitalization.

If illness causes you to miss an exam, you must provide medical documentation to the professor whose exam you missed, confirming that you were treated by medical personnel during the illness. If at all possible, the professor must be notified BEFORE the exam (even if it is just several hours before). If you are ill and take an exam, the results will count. Do not try to take an exam if you are really ill since you will not be permitted to retake the exam. Therefore, if you are too ill to take an exam, talk to and e-mail your instructor and go to Health Service before the exam.

Neither a medical nor a dean's letter absolves you from responsibility for any assignments missed. You must discuss with your instructor what accommodations are available and/or a schedule for making up work.