H1N1 threat changes attendance policy
10/2/2009
By Laura Podgornik
Staff Writer
As the school year progresses, the winds are growing colder, the trees are maturing brighter and the students are getting sicker. On the bright side, students will no longer have to worry about losing credit for missing classes due flu-like illness.
Chancellor Julius Erlenbach announced a new attendance policy September 22nd that will allow students to stay home, penalty free, while they are experiencing symptoms of the flu.
The H1N1 flu has affected student populations even faster than predicted. Nearly all local schools, colleges and universities have reported suspected cases of the virus already this fall. Few have confirmed cases, but the numbers are growing.
“At the close of the month of September, we’ve had 30 students report ‘flu-like symptoms,’ but have yet to confirm a case of the H1N1 flu virus,” reported Dacia Selzer, Clinical Services Coordinator for Student Health Services. “These students are being asked to stay home and notify their instructors when ill.”
The new classroom attendance policy reads as follows:
"Faculty are to review their classroom attendance policies to ensure that polices do not penalize students who are absent from class due to illness. These polices must not require a doctor’s excuse and students must be given sufficient opportunity to make up work. Changes to your classroom attendance policy should be communicated to students early so they know NOT to attend class when they are ill."
Teachers often have policies that allow no more than three absences or a student will lose credit. This new policy will allow students to regain their health while not having to worry about their ailment affecting their GPA.
Chancellor Erlenbach also makes it clear that students cannot use the illness as an excuse not to do their assigned work. At the close of his announcement, he stated, “The expectation remains for students to achieve the learning outcomes for each course.”
Chancellor Julius Erlenbach announced a new attendance policy September 22nd that will allow students to stay home, penalty free, while they are experiencing symptoms of the flu.
The H1N1 flu has affected student populations even faster than predicted. Nearly all local schools, colleges and universities have reported suspected cases of the virus already this fall. Few have confirmed cases, but the numbers are growing.
“At the close of the month of September, we’ve had 30 students report ‘flu-like symptoms,’ but have yet to confirm a case of the H1N1 flu virus,” reported Dacia Selzer, Clinical Services Coordinator for Student Health Services. “These students are being asked to stay home and notify their instructors when ill.”
The new classroom attendance policy reads as follows:
"Faculty are to review their classroom attendance policies to ensure that polices do not penalize students who are absent from class due to illness. These polices must not require a doctor’s excuse and students must be given sufficient opportunity to make up work. Changes to your classroom attendance policy should be communicated to students early so they know NOT to attend class when they are ill."
Teachers often have policies that allow no more than three absences or a student will lose credit. This new policy will allow students to regain their health while not having to worry about their ailment affecting their GPA.
Chancellor Erlenbach also makes it clear that students cannot use the illness as an excuse not to do their assigned work. At the close of his announcement, he stated, “The expectation remains for students to achieve the learning outcomes for each course.”