Disclaimer 1: The instructor reserves the right to not accept an excuse regardless of the nature of the event. Sometimes, "life happens" and we just have to accept the consequences. Potential reasons include, but are not limitted to, a requirement or class activity that cannot reasonably be made up, the excuse does not, in the opinion of the instructor, suffice, or the students has missed so much that, in the opinion of the instructor, a fair assessment of the student's learning can no longer be made.
Disclaimer 2: Even if an excuse is accepted, it does not mean that the student is not responsible for completing all work missed. This includes lectures! (Some day they may all be video taped, but for now, you must get the notes from another student.)
Disclaimer 3: There are always really unusual events to consider. By definition, I can't think of them in advance and they will be handled on a case by case basis.
Generally, I require official evidence of the unusual event that interferes with completing the requirement. This should include when and where the event took place. Obvious examples include include: the "blue card" that athletes provide in advance of an event, a court summons, and a traffic accident report.
Occasionally, I accept less official evidence after discussing it with the student. This is often determined by what the event is and it may require that we agree in advance. Prior notification and approval is always a plus.
As an example, one excuse that I have, upon occasion, accepted is a
required work activity or some activity required by another professor.
Note that in both cases my basic assumption is that you have arranged your
schedule such that any such interference will truly be occasional and unusual.
In such a case, you should seek prior approval. Then obtain from your manager
or the other professor a signed memo explaining the circumstances and asking
that you be given whatever consideration you happen to be seeking. This
might range from simply missing class to taking a make up exam. Of course,
you should write the memo and simply ask the manager or professor to fill
in any necessary information and sign it. This will always include dates
and times, and contact information so the excusal request can be confirmed.
You might ask your boss to sign the following, for example.
| Dear Professor Mullins,
Due to an unusual occurance at XYZ Corp., John Doe (that's
you)
Please feel free to contact me directly to verify this request. Director of Computing Ms. Jane Smith
|
Often you will find that there is an existing form for just such a request. Examples include doctor's excuses (not an appointment card) and the Athletics Department's blue card. In such cases, their form is preferable. Just make sure it includes contact information and dates!
Excuses I never accept are of the "I slept in variety." It has happened to me too. And you will have to acept the consequences, as I did.
Illnesses: I have had excuses ranging from "my room mate had the flu" to "I was in the hospital for two weeks." Most are of the "I didn't feel so good" variety.
To be excused, you will need generally need to be ill yourself and obtain a written excuse. That means a doctor's visit. The student health center does provide written excuses if you are restricted from classes. (Students have told me that they don't provide excuses enough times that I verified the official policy by calling.) They do not provide an excuse simply because you visit the health center, even if you are ill. In such cases and only with your approval, they will allow a faculty member to call and verify that you were seen at a particular time. They will not say more than that you actually appeared to be ill. There is a misconception that simply going to the Health Center constitutes a valid excuse for missing a test. Certainly, you see the potential for abuse. All such excuses will be handled on a case by case basis.
Care providers are faced with the additional challenge documenting why they needed to miss class. Many doctors and related professionals will be willing to provide you with the documentation you need. I am familiar with the need to provide care for both children and adults, however the room mate with the flu in the example above is out of luck.
If you find all this too intrusive or too hard to do, remember: "life happens."
Oct. 8, 2002
Dr. Paul Mullins