Absences

Although RISD’s absence policy lays out official expectations regarding classroom/studio attendance, there may be periods for students with chronic, episodic conditions when they are too unwell to attend class. In such cases, their accommodation letter will indicate that the student has a credible diagnosis that may result in their missing class time.

Reasonable accommodations help ensure access for students with disabilities. This purpose extends to attendance. Providing flexibility within attendance policies ensures students with disabilities are not disproportionately penalized in the event their condition prevents them from attending every class session despite their own health and time management practices.

It is helpful that faculty provide flexibility to students who may need it in order to attend to their health needs. Faculty have the right to decide how many student absences will impact course enrollment and evaluation, and their pedagogically appropriate attendance policy should be clearly stated in the course syllabus.

Attendance flexibility should always be considered on an individual course basis. This allows for diligent and critical analysis of attendance’s essential nature to class learning objectives and pedagogical components. We understand that participation and studio engagement cannot be recreated in some situations, but faculty should consider creative alternatives when possible.

It is reasonable for faculty to provide clear limits upon the number of allowed absences for students with an absence accommodation. Faculty should stay away from blanked “come and go and submit work as you please” policies.

Instructors should speak with students regarding modified attendance expectations. Inform students about your preferred process for them to notify you of a disability-related absence, any critical dates that the student cannot miss, and alternatives to missed participation points or quizzes in the event of a disability-related absence.

We recommend that an accommodated attendance agreement is summarized in writing through email. A summary helps ensure everyone is operating from the same point of view and allows for clarification of any points of confusion. Students and instructors are welcome to include our office on these emails for documentation purposes.

Understand that Health Services does not provide students with absence excuse notes. If a student is too ill to attend a class, it is their responsibility to notify their professor(s) before the class starts.

Students should remember that they can contact our office to request a medical reduced course load, if they need space in their schedule to complete work for other classes.