Attendance

Rationale

It is essential that educational programs meet requirements and standards necessary for successful employment in business and industry. In view of the intensive nature of educational programs, it is necessary for every student to be present and on time every day for all classes as is required in the work environment.

Procedure

Class attendance is a very important aspect of a student's success. Being absent from class prevents students from receiving the full benefit of a course and also interrupts the learning process. Southeastern Technical College considers both tardiness and leaving early as types of absenteeism. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. Regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes is required for student success. Students will be expected to complete all work required by the instructor as described in the individual course syllabus.

Instructors have the right to give unannounced quizzes/assignments. Students that miss an unannounced quiz or assignment will receive a grade of 0. Students who stop attending class, but do not formally withdraw, may receive a grade of F and face financial aid repercussions in upcoming semesters.

Instructors are responsible for determining whether missed work may be made up and the content and dates for makeup work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Students will not be withdrawn by an instructor for attendance; however, all instructors will keep records of graded assignments and student participation in course activities. The completion dates of these activities will be used to determine a student’s last date of attendance in the event a student withdraws, stops attending, or receives an F in a course.

Additional Provisions

Health Science and Cosmetology Programs

Requirements for instructional hours within Health Science and Cosmetology programs reflect the rules of respective licensure boards and/or accrediting agencies. Therefore, these programs have stringent attendance policies. Each program’s attendance policy is published in the program’s handbook and/or syllabus which specify the number of allowable absences. All provisions for required make-up work in the classroom or clinical experiences are at the discretion of the instructor.

Online Attendance

It is the student’s responsibility to be academically engaged in each class by completing course related activities. The completion dates of these activities will be used to determine a student’s last date of attendance in the event a student withdraws, stops attending, or receives an F in a course. Students will not be withdrawn by an instructor for attendance; however, all instructors will keep records of graded assignments and student participation in course activities. Students will be expected to complete all work required by the instructor as described in the individual course syllabus.

Special Needs

Students with documented special needs may be provided with an individualized Instructional Plan with specifications for scheduled instructional time. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Special Needs Specialist as students and instructors are required to have documented evidence prior to receiving or allowing special accommodations. See the STC Catalog and Student Handbook, Student Affairs section for further information regarding special needs.

Specific Absences

Provisions for Instructional Time missed because of documented absences due to jury duty, military duty, court duty, or required job training will be made at the discretion of the instructor.

Drop/Add Procedures

Students may add a class during the first three days of the semester. In order to add a class, the student must see their advisor.

If a student adds a class after the first day of the semester, any class time missed up until the day he/she is added must be completed. In order to make up for work that has already been missed, the student will be given the same amount of days he/she registered late. (Ex: Student registers on the 3rd day of the semester. Student will be given 3 days to complete any work that has already been assigned or any tests that have already been given.) This is in addition to keeping up with the work assigned each day. If the student does not complete the work during this time period, he/she will be given a zero for any assignments due.

Students may drop a course or courses by end of the third day of the semester without penalty. When courses are officially dropped, students will receive a 100% refund of applicable tuition and refundable fees. The dropped courses will be removed from the student's academic record and will not be counted as an attempt for academic or financial aid purposes.

Students may drop courses via Banner Web if they have not attended class. However, if a student attends a class during the first three days of the semester but wishes to drop the class before the third day and avoid penalty, the student must do the following:

1. Meet with a Counselor in the Office of Student Affairs to obtain a Withdrawal Form.
2. Meet with Financial Aid to ensure that the dropped course(s) will not affect full-time or part-time status.
3. Submit the Withdrawal Form by the close of business on the third instructional day of the semester.

The first 3 days of the semester means: the first day of classes for the semester listed on the STC Academic Calendar, plus the next two business days. To be eligible for a drop, classes (including those that meet for the first time on the 4th day of the semester or later) must be dropped within the first 3 instructional days of the semester.

On the 4th instructional day of the semester, all courses for which a student is registered will become a permanent part of the student's academic record, and the student will be held accountable and financially responsible for such courses.

The student is solely responsible for submitting a Withdrawal Form by the close of business of the 3rd instructional day of the semester.

WITHDRAWING FROM A CLASS(ES)/ALL COURSES

Students wishing to officially withdraw from a course(s) or all courses after the drop/add period and prior to the 65% portion of the semester (date will be posted on the school calendar) must speak with a Career Counselor in Student Affairs and complete a Student Withdrawal Form. A grade of “W” is assigned when the student completes the withdrawal form from the course.

Students who are dropped from courses due to attendance (see your course syllabus for attendance policy) after drop/add until the 65% point of the semester will receive a “W” for the course. Abandoning a course(s) instead of following official withdrawal procedures may result in a grade of 'F' being assigned.

After the 65% portion of the semester, the student will receive a grade for the course. (Please note: A zero will be given for all missed assignments.)

There is no refund for partial reduction of hours. Withdrawals may affect students’ eligibility for financial aid for the current semester and in the future, so a student must also speak with a representative of the Financial Aid Office to determine any financial penalties that may be accessed due to the withdrawal. All grades, including grades of ‘W’, will count in attempted hour calculations for the purpose of Financial Aid. Remember -Informing your instructor that you will not return to his/her course, does not satisfy the approved withdrawal procedure outlined above.

Withdrawing Due to Extenuating Circumstances

Southeastern Tech understands that there may be extenuating circumstances in which a student must withdraw after the 65% portion of the semester. Typically, this involves reasons that are beyond the student’s control. Failing a course(s) or making poor grades is not considered extenuating circumstances. Students who are in this situation must complete a Student Withdrawal Extenuating Circumstances form with supporting documentation and the withdrawal must be approved by the appropriate dean.

Students receiving financial aid should be aware that a withdrawal may affect their financial aid.