|
Regular and punctual class attendance, as demonstrated through academic engagement, is the responsibility of every student who enrolls at the College of Central Florida. Therefore, in alignment with federal regulations under 34 CFR 668.12-668.29, the institution is committed to enforcing this attendance policy to assist students in achieving their educational objectives and compliance with Title IV financial aid requirements.
- Attendance Documentation and Verification
Attendance is recorded beginning on the first scheduled day of class, regardless of a student’s registration date. Federal financial aid eligibility requires that students begin attendance by actively participating in an academically related activity as defined by federal guidelines.
Each semester, attendance verification is submitted after the add/drop period and must be based on documented academic engagement, which includes-but is not limited to- attending a synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity, physically or online, where there is an opportunity for interaction between the instructor and students, submitting an academic assignment, or participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction.
The course syllabus will specify the assignment or activity designated for attendance verification, along with the corresponding deadline.
- Non-Participation and Administrative Drop
Students who fail to complete the required academic engagement for attendance verification by the specified deadline may be administratively dropped from the course. In such cases, students may receive a refund of tuition and fees for the dropped course; however, ancillary expenses, such as bookstore purchases, are governed by the CF Financial Responsibility Agreement. If a student is receiving financial aid, their financial aid eligibility may be adjusted accordingly.
- Excused Absences and Make-Up Work
When a student is absent for a legitimate reason, the instructor may permit make-up work at their discretion and may require documentation of the reason for the absence. The college reserves the right to evaluate individual cases of absenteeism, particularly where Title IV implications are involved.
In general, students are graded on the basis of intellectual effort and performance. Class participation is a significant measure of performance, therefore nonattendance can adversely affect a student’s grade.
Participation in college-sponsored, off-campus student activities (such as student organization meetings or athletic events) is permitted to count toward class attendance or approved absence on the instructor’s class records. Students must give advance notice of the intended absence, within guidelines set by the individual instructor, in order to have the opportunity to prepare assignments and make up or avoid missing tests. Faculty members are expected to establish nonpunitive grading practices toward attendance at these college-sponsored, off-campus student activities such as student organization meetings or athletic events.
If conflicts exist between a student’s regularly scheduled class(es) and another activity (including the requirements of other classes), the student’s regularly scheduled class should receive priority. If adequate notification is given to the instructor, the student will not be penalized for nonattendance.
If a student accumulates so many absences that further enrollment in a course appears to be of little academic value, the instructor has the right to withdraw the student from the course. CF instructors may or may not initiate a request to withdraw a student from their classes (please check with individual instructors regarding their process); however, all withdrawals must be done on or before the withdrawal deadline that is published by the college.
A withdrawal may not be processed if the request is for the student’s third attempt at a course; the removal of a sole preparatory course if the student has earned 12 college credits; or if the student is a high school dual enrollment student and the permission of the high school counselor, home school parent and CF dual enrollment coordinator has not been granted. Withdrawal(s) may be reversed and a grade issued for a course as a disciplinary action resulting from breaching the college’s Academic Integrity and Honor Code.
Students enrolled in occupational certificate programs have required participation for skill development, therefore they are permitted limited unexcused absences (check with instructor). Students who exceed the number of unexcused absences may be placed on probation and, if additional unexcused absences occur, dropped from the program. The instructor determines whether or not an absence is excused, considering such factors as sickness, accidents and other circumstances beyond the student’s control.
Students enrolling in certain limited-access programs are expected to meet specific guidelines presented in program handbooks. Check the website at CF.edu/LimitedAccess for more information regarding limited-access programs.
|
