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Attendance and Religious Observances

Policy of Responsible Attendance: The Molloy policy on attendance is one of responsible attendance. Students are expected to attend all classes regularly and punctually. Illness, life problems, or stress may sometimes inhibit a student’s ability to fully participate in educational experiences, including class or fieldwork. Such life circumstances do not relieve students of their responsibility. Students must make every effort to communicate with Molloy and to follow their program handbook regarding absences and lateness. Individual course outlines may contain strict attendance policies that affect grades, and these supersede the University’s policy.

It is the accepted practice at Molloy University that faculty take attendance in all courses. Students should notify faculty if an absence is necessary as the result of a serious situation. Failure to attend class for two (2) consecutive weeks at any point in the semester, without notification of extenuating circumstances, will result in an administrative withdrawal from the course. Administrative withdrawal results in removal from the course with a grade of “W” or WF” determined by the point in the term and the academic performance. Students should consult the University catalog for complete details regarding withdrawals and the potential financial implications of a withdrawal.

In the case of an online or hybrid course, attendance is considered similarly important, and students are expected to participate in the course from the first date of the term to be considered attending the course. Students who do not participate will be considered non-attending and subject to removal or withdrawal from the course. Therefore, failure to participate in academic activities in any given week is considered an absence. Examples of participation in academic activities representing attendance would be participation in a class chat or discussion board on an academic topic, submissions of a required assignment, digital interaction with the faculty on an academic topic, and completion of a quiz or exam. Refer to the course syllabus for additional information.)

While it is extremely important that students attend all regularly scheduled classes, Molloy recognizes that circumstances arise that render absence from a class unavoidable. When such instances arise, the associated absence may be considered excused should the nature of the absence and supporting documentation warrant the same. If a student is unable to contact Molloy, another person may contact Molloy on the student’s behalf.

Health Emergencies - The Office of Student Affairs – Health Services Department will provide notification of an absence to The Office of Student Success and Assessment, as per the student's request and consent, if a Molloy student is transported to a hospital from a Molloy campus or if a student's health emergency required hospitalization. In these situations, the Office of Student Success and Assessment will notify all faculty involved, and the student’s program chairperson or director. (Office of Student Success and Assessment can be reached by emailing: studentsuccess@molloy.edu).

Medical Excuses - The Office of Center for Access and Disability Office (ACCESS) will provide notification of medical excuses of documented illnesses or injuries for temporary and/or long-term illnesses that may be eligible for accommodations through (ACCESS) as per the student's request and consent. (ACCESS can be reached by emailing: access@molloy.edu).

In other situations when a student will miss class due to illness, death in the immediate family, or any other reason; Health Services, ACCESS, and the Office of Student Success & Assessment will not send absence notifications. Students are strongly encouraged to:

  1. Check the syllabus for attendance policy for each class.
  2. In a timely fashion, email the faculty to notify them of a class absence and develop an agreed upon plan for how/when the student will make up the missed work.
  3. If the student emails the faculty and does not hear back after 2 business days, it is suggested that the student email the faculty again and copy the chairperson or program director of the department on the email.
  4. Save and be prepared to provide if requested any available documentation related to the missed class.

Athletic Travel - The Athletic Department provides the student athletes with a letter that must be presented to their faculty at the start of the semester with the dates that student athletes will be absent due to athletic travel and competition. Letters indicating dates of contests are prepared by the Department of Athletics for each sport. (See Molloy Student Athlete Handbook for more details).

Religious Observances – A student who wishes to be absent from class because of a religious obligation or practice should inform the faculty in writing at least one (1) week before the day. The student has the right to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may have been missed because of religious observance.

Consequences of Never Attending: Students reported as never attending a course or courses may be reported to lenders for their loans, which could affect loan deferment eligibility. Eligibility for sports and scholarships may also be impaired.

Consequence of Stopping Attendance: Students who attend a course, then stop coming for two consecutive weeks at any point in the semester will be withdrawn administratively. (Refer to Academic Policies under "Withdrawal from Courses".)

NOTE: Withdrawing from courses may change the student’s full-time or half-time standing and may require the return of Title IV financial aid funds and affect the grace or deferment period for repayment of educational loans. Loan grace periods use the last date of attendance. Future eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs may be affected by a student not progressing toward the degree as planned.