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General Policy: Class attendance is a critical part of the teaching and learning process. Each student is expected to arrange his or her schedule to maintain regular and prompt attendance in all classes, including those provided in an online format. Professors may provide course-specific attendance policies, such as those indicating that excessive absences or missed assignments from a class may result in withdrawal or failure. A student with excessive absences who does not withdraw by the Withdrawal Deadline is issued a failing grade. Polk State College requires the professor to report each student who does not attend class during the first week to the Registrar, and the student may be dropped for non-attendance. At this point, the student is unable to re-register for the class; therefore, it is important that the student plan for attendance on the first day of class, sign in to online classes on the first day of the semester, and remain attentive for assignments and requirements during the entire first week.
Policy for International Students: Each International Student must maintain full-time enrollment status (i.e., 12 or more credits per term) and abide by the attendance policy established for each enrolled course. The student is also expected to meet the College’s Standards of Academic Progress as defined in Polk State College Procedure 5017: Standards of Academic Progress and Course Repeat Policy. Failure to meet the requirements may have a negative effect upon the student’s visa status.
Policy for Veterans and VA-Benefit Students Enrolled in Credit Courses: Student attendance records are maintained for all courses only to determine the last day of attendance. Withdrawal from a class is in accordance with the professor’s policy regarding attendance for all students, including veterans or students attending through Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. A VA-benefit student may be withdrawn from a credit course by the Withdrawal Deadline if the professor determines that an attendance-policy violation prevents satisfactory completion of the course. Any VA-benefit student who violates the attendance policy for a course is decertified by the school; further benefits are terminated for unsatisfactory progress, and the student is required to refund monies received for that term.
Policy for Veterans and VA-Benefit Students Enrolled in Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) Certificate Courses: Any veteran (or person who is eligible to receive Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits) who registers in PSAV certificate courses and accumulates four days of unexcused absences within any calendar month is decertified for lack of attendance. This action leads to decertification by the school, termination of benefits for unsatisfactory progress, and the student is required to refund monies received for that term.
Policy for Law Enforcement and Corrections Certificate Programs: Each student enrolled in a Law Enforcement or Corrections certificate program is required to attend the full number of clock hours for each course. Unexcused absences, and absences for which the time and work are not made up, may result in the student being dropped from the course. Absences that are approved by the Training Center Director for situations such as illnesses, subpoenas, and emergencies may be permitted or excused; however, the student must make up all missed time and work. The student must submit a request for any authorized absences to the Course Coordinator or Center Director. Any veteran (or person eligible to receive Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits) who registers for a Law Enforcement or Corrections certificate program and accumulates 20 percent of the total required hours as unexcused absences within any calendar month is decertified for lack of attendance. This action leads to decertification by the school, termination of benefits for unsatisfactory progress, and the student is required to refund monies received for that term. The veteran can be re-certified for education benefits once he or she has met the approved attendance policy for 30 days after the violation.
Policy for Readmission of the Student after Suspension and Disciplinary Action: A student who has been suspended as part of a disciplinary action is not to be readmitted to the class without prior written notice to the instructor from the District Associate Dean of Student Services (or his or her designee) or the Associate Vice President for Student Services. Faculty members are notified prior to a student’s re-admittance.
Policy for Military and Reserve Students Called to Duty during a Term: The Higher Education Opportunity Act affords special educational protections for military and veterans in the reserves who are called to active duty during a term. The military student must have a Call to Duty received date that is after the start of the term to receive this consideration or discuss the situation prior to the the Drop Deadline of the term. Special consideration is made in collaboration with the faculty member, and the District Associate Dean of Student Services (or his or her designee) or the Registrar.
A student with military orders has the right to return to an education program and the right to not have the military orders adversely affect the College record. The student can present his or her orders to the faculty member, and to the District Associate Dean of Student Services (or his or her designee) or the Registrar. The District Associate Dean of Student Services or Registrar then collaborates with the faculty member to determine the best options for the student given his or her individual circumstances.
Polk State College offers many options to resolve this situation, including, but not limited to, allowing the student to withdraw after the Withdrawal Deadline, drop a course with a refund after the Drop Deadline, or receive a final grade for the course early. The instructor for the class determines if the student has completed enough coursework to earn a grade. Future assignments and tests that might lower the current grade are not calculated into the final grade. This early-completion option is available only after the Withdrawal Deadline.
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