Attendance and Punctuality

In general, regular attendance is necessary for the student to receive full benefit from the university experience; therefore, absences should be taken seriously.

Face-to-face Classroom and Online Live Streamed Synchronous Course

With the understanding that students have the choice to utilize the live classroom and/or the online integrated synchronous classroom, the following attendance policies apply to both approaches simultaneously.

Student Absence Management

Absences, for any reason, count toward the Maximum Total Number of Absences allowed.

In 080-099, 100-, and 200-level courses that are scheduled over the length of a normal semester, students will receive a two-point reduction in the final grade for each absence beyond the following (or equivalent clock hours):

• 1 absence in a class that meets 1 time a week
• 2 absences in a class that meets 2 times a week
• 3 absences in a class that meets 3 times a week
• 4 absences in a class that meets 4 times a week

In 300- and 400-level courses, all absences will follow the make-up work policies listed below.

If a student exceeds the Maximum Total Number of Absences allowed in any course, the student will automatically fail the course.

Maximum Total Number of Absences allowed for ANY reason:

• 3 absences in a class that meets 1 time a week
• 7 absences in a class that meets 2 times a week
• 11 absences in a class that meets 3 times a week
• 14 absences in a class that meets 4 times a week
• 1 day (8 hours) in a one-week (5 day) module

Tardy, Early Departure, and/or Partial Attendance

When a student is late to class 3 times and/or departs early 3 times, this will count as one absence.

Students who miss more than 25 percent of a single class meeting will be counted absent for the entire class. Percentages per single class meeting are as follows:

• 15 minutes for any class up to 60 minutes
• 20 minutes of a 75 minute class
• 25 minutes of a 90 minute class
• 30 minutes of a 120 minute class
• 45 minutes of a 180 minute class

Athletic Attendance Policy

Athletes will be excused for all documented travel days during the times submitted by the athletic department. In addition to the travel days, athletes will be allowed a maximum of one week of absence without automatic penalty.

This policy also applies to any school-sponsored event approved by the Executive VP for Academic Affairs.

Inclement Weather

Absences due to inclement weather closing or delays are not counted into the maximum total number of absences. Weather absences are determined based on the university’s Inclement Weather Policy.

Make-Up Work Policy

The university considers the following absences as automatically approved for make-up work:

1. Absences that occur because a student is taking part in a PIU-sponsored event
   • On a weekly basis, the Coach, Staff Advisor, or Faculty Advisor will send to all faculty a list of all students who will be absent that week. The list will include student names, dates and times of absence(s), and the nature of the absence.
   • Prior to each absence, students are expected to contact each of their professors to inform them of their absence and request assignments and their due dates to insure full credit.
   • Students must complete all work assigned on days missed, according to the specifications of the professor. Students should make every effort to complete assignments early, if possible.
2. Illnesses
3. Funerals
4. Selected school-sponsored class trips or projects that meet divisional or degree requirements.
5. Other situations the Academic Council Committee collectively deems as having merit or basis.

All other course make-up work policies will be included in the course syllabus.

Professor’s Responsibility

• Professors must take roll every class period and make the attendance record promptly available to the students via the student portal.
• Each professor’s policy on make-up work for absences (not covered above) and tardies must be included in the syllabus.
• Professors are encouraged to include attendance incentives in their syllabi.

Student’s Responsibility

Students, especially those involved in PIU athletic, music, or ministry teams, are expected to inform professors prior to a scheduled absence and make arrangements for work to be made up at the professor’s discretion to insure full credit.

Upon an unexpected absence from class, the student should contact the professor immediately to discuss make-up work.

Students should keep track of their own absences in each class, and resolve any discrepancies with the professor’s posted record of attendance as soon as possible.

Students should not wait until the end of the semester to deal with any concerns about absences.

Attendance Appeal Policies

Appeals concerning a professor’s decision concerning make-up work are to be directed in writing to the dean of the school.

In extreme circumstances a student may appeal the maximum total number of absences in writing to the Office of the Provost, accompanied by documentation for every absence.

Professors may advocate for students with unusual circumstances, and those students with excused absences will be given due consideration.

Online Asynchronous Course Check-In and Participation Policy

• Enrolled online students must check in to courses, continue with assigned work or officially withdraw.
• Failure to check in will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.
• Ongoing participation will be based on the student fulfilling weekly requirements of a course.
• Students who withdraw after the check-in period may receive a grade of “WP” or “WF.”
• Students who check in to a course and fail to maintain ongoing participation but do not officially withdraw will receive a grade of “F."