Attendance policies return to normal

MARK SMITH
Editor
editor@occc.edu

OCCC’s attendance rules have been restored after an outbreak in the H1N1 flu caused a relaxation in the policies last semester.

In an e-mail to the Pioneer, Felix Aquino, vice president for Academic Affairs, said the academic policy states that professors are to determine their personal classroom attendance policies.

To help prevent misunderstandings, Aquino said, most professors post their policies in the course syllabus.

He said students should be sure to read the attendance policies written in their syllabi.

Should a student become ill, Aquino said, students should contact their professor immediately by e-mail or telephone.

However, it is common for professors to require letters from a medical doctor confirming the illness, he said.

In the event a student provides a doctor’s excuse, Aquino said, many professors may allow the student to take a make-up test or give them extra time to turn in missed assignments.

Last semester, Aquino said, the President’s Cabinet urged professors to temporarily suspend their attendance policies to discourage sick students from attending class and risk infecting others.

He said the recommendation was made in the interest of public health.

Sherry Ray, math professor, said she is glad the policies have returned to normal.

While Ray said most of her students were honest, “there were some students who took advantage of the vague attendance policies last semester.”

However, some students still came to class sick and had to be sent home, she said.

This semester, Ray said, she will require students to provide documentation when they miss class due to an illness.

Instead of punishing students for missing class, she said, she awards bonus points for being present during class.

For more information on attendance policies, students can speak with their professors.

Students also can contact Academic Affairs at 405-682-1611, 7546.