Attendance

Trevecca's adult studies and graduate programs are highly concentrated. Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Attendance is a prerequisite for student success in the course work and the personal and small group relationships facilitated in the class sessions. Professors record attendance at each class. Attendance records are essential to comply with federal regulations and accrediting agencies.

ONSITE STUDENTS

Tardy

Students are expected to be present when class begins and remain the entire class session. Students will be considered tardy if they arrive more than 30 minutes late for a class session or leave earlier than 30 minutes before the end of a class session. Two tardies will equal an absence. Even if a tardy is for a legitimate reason, participation points will still be deducted. Students exceeding the allowed tardies/absences may receive a failing grade and will be dropped from the course.

Absence

Under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed one absence in courses that are five class sessions or more in length. Students are not allowed an absence for any course that has four class sessions or fewer in length. Even if an absence is for a legitimate reason or approved by appeal, participation points may still be deducted at the instructor’s discretion. Homework assignments for the class of absence are still due as scheduled. Students exceeding the allowed tardies/absences may receive a failing grade and will be dropped from the course.

COVID-19 Absence (Temporary Policy)

In an effort to prevent COVID-19 virus, the following policy guideline will be in place until further notice:

  1. Students are expected to attend all required class sessions and abide by any in-classroom restrictions the university must follow per CDC and Nashville Metro Public Health Department.
  2. Students are encouraged to continually assess their wellness and should not attend an in-person class session if they are sick. Students should not come to Trevecca’s campus or attend an in-person class session if they are running a fever and should avoid the campus/classrooms until they have been fever-free (without the use of medication) for 24 hours.
  3. Students should disclose prior to attending class if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have come into close contact with someone who is sick, and they should follow all guidance they receive. While a doctor’s note is generally required in order to appeal an absence due to illness, the first absence due to COVID-19 symptoms and exposure will be counted as an excused absence with or without a note from a physician. Subsequent absences within a course due to COVID-19 symptoms or exposure will require documentation and an approved absence appeal. NOTE: Students who have been fully vaccinated and have submitted documentation to the Trevecca Clinic will not be required to quarantine if exposed (per CDC guidelines).

This policy will remain in effect until further information is provided by state and county officials.

Absence Appeal

An absence appeal may be filed for emergency circumstances that arise leading to more than allowed absences. Examples of emergency circumstances considered include: hospitalization of self or immediate family member; death in immediate family; and military deployment. Please contact your academic advisor to obtain and complete the appropriate form in such situations. Contact must be made and the appeal form submitted within 7 days of the absence.

Late Instructor

Should an instructor be late for a class session, students are expected to wait a minimum of 30 minutes and contact their student success advisor before leaving. If the instructor arrives within that 30 minute period and any student has left, the student will be counted as absent for the class session. If the instructor does not arrive within the 30 minute period, the students may leave and arrangements will be made to make up those class hours sometime during the time frame of the course or additional assignments will be given.

Cancellation of Onsite Classes

A decision to cancel class due to inclement weather, faculty illness, or other reasons is made by the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Announcement of cancellation will be posted on the TNU website by 3:00 PM for evening classes. If class has not been cancelled by 3:00 PM, students should report to class at 6:00 PM for evening class. If conditions change after 6:00 PM, the class and faculty member jointly decide appropriate action.

ONLINE STUDENTS

Absence

Attendance is determined by participation in weekly learning activities. A student is reported absent for a week if there is no participation during that week in an academically-related activity specific to the course, such as attending a synchronous course activity, submitting an academic assignment, taking an assessment or exam, participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or computer-assisted instruction, participating in a study group or group project, participating in an online discussion assigned by the instructor, or interacting with the instructor about academic matters. Under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed one absence in courses that are five weeks or more in length and must file an absence appeal. No absences are allowed in courses that are four weeks or shorter in length. Students exceeding the allowed absences may receive a failing grade and will be dropped from the course.

Absence Appeal

An absence appeal may be filed for emergency circumstances that arise leading to more than allowed absences. Examples of emergency circumstances considered include: hospitalization of self or immediate family member; death in immediate family; and military deployment. All absence appeals must include documentation for consideration. Please contact your academic advisor to obtain and complete the appropriate form in such situations. Contact must be made and the appeal form submitted within 7 days of the absence.