REG - 10.01.3 Class Attendance Regulation
1. Purpose
Class attendance is expected of students at North Carolina Central University and represents a foundational component of the learning process in both on-campus and online courses. Therefore, students should attend all instructional sessions for courses in which they are registered, for the entire scheduled period, and are responsible for timely completion of all class assignments. The purpose of this Regulation is to describe the University’s class attendance expectations and requirements and to outline the procedures associated with the implementation of this Regulation.
2. Scope
This Regulation applies to all faculty teaching undergraduate courses for credit at North Carolina Central University and the students who register for and are enrolled in those courses, as of and following the effective date of this Regulation. This Regulation cannot be applied retroactively.
3. Syllabus Requirements
3.1 A statement regarding the Class Attendance Regulation must be included on all course syllabi.
3.2 Faculty must include a written statement of the attendance guidelines in their course syllabi. In addition, faculty are required to review the guidelines for class attendance during the first class session of each semester (i.e., fall, spring, summer).
*3.3 Students who do not attend classes during the first two (2) weeks of class will be dropped due to non-attendance. Students must attend at least one day to confirm attendance in the course. Students who do not attend before the census date will be dropped. After the census date (the 10th day of class), any student who misses the equivalent of two (2) weeks of class meetings or 13.3% of total instructional time (as set forth below) prior to the determined drop date for the university (as noted in the Academic Calendar) will receive an automatic grade of WA (withdrawal due to lack of attendance) at the point of the withdrawal date. This will be the final grade for the grading period. This grade will automatically be entered by the faculty member teaching the course.
Two Weeks of Instruction equates to the following:
M/W/F Classes: 6 total absences
M/W or T/R Classes: 4 total absences
Classes that meet once a week: 2 total absences
*Special consideration must be granted if a student has accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act based on a documented disability or another documented need. Special consideration may be granted if a student is absent or late due to the student’s participation in a University-sponsored program or event.
3.4 After the University’s established withdrawal date, as noted in the Academic Calendar, a student will earn the letter grade commensurate with his/her/their course performance. The student’s final grade will be based on the student’s performance and participation, to include attendance as noted in the instructor’s syllabus. A faculty member may incorporate points for class participation or online synchronous or asynchronous class participation (i.e., Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, WebEx, Zoom) as they deem appropriate based on the nature of the course content and delivery.
4. Recording Class Attendance
4.1 Faculty are required to keep attendance records in all classes.
4.2 If a student misses three (3) consecutive class meetings and the faculty member deems advisable, the faculty member is required to enter that information into Navigate or any other academic system used to track student attendance, and to also report the information to the student’s academic dean for appropriate follow-up.
4.3 Students who miss class to participate in University-sponsored activities can request documentation from the appropriate office (Athletics, Honors, etc.) to note that they have an excused absence for the missed class time. It is ultimately the student's responsibility to inform the faculty member of such activities at least one (1) week before the authorized absence, and to make up all work as determined by the faculty member.