He has a cold. She has one too. I’m sure I’m coming down with something, but we don’t have time to be sick.
The Dean of students office said if a student comes down with the Swine Flu they can bring in documentation to their office stating how long they will be out, and will be excused as long as it’s from the doctor.
That’s nice, if the professor accepts it.
Some professors will drop a students a letter grade for missing three days or more out of the semester.
Regardless of the reasons, or as some may call them “excuses”, it is at the professor’s discretion whether or not they wish to accept an email from the Dean of Students office or the physician’s letter head saying that a student was legitimately sick.
I understand how these personal policies could be considered as an incentive to come to class, especially for keeping those who receive financial aid in check, but at the same time a student who does not receive financial aid, who has a good grade point average or class average, should not be penalized simply for getting bronchitis and missing more than three days.
The truth is college life is challenging enough without having to worry about scheduling when we can get sick or when we need time to take care of ourselves when we are sick.
Not to mention, sometimes an alarm clock doesn’t go off, sometimes a car won’t start, and sometimes the unexpected happens after you have already missed those three allowed days.
Before you begin your rant about how in the “real world” you will get fired from your job for missing a certain amount of days, keep in mind that most students do have a job.
A job that helps them make ends meet, helps them to pay the bills, and helps provide a future for themselves or their family.
These personal policies for attendance keep students from taking the time to make an appointment to a doctor where they can receive the treatment and care they need to make it to that job and to continue excelling in class.
Students should be protected from the policies. In fact, the policies shouldn’t even be allowed.
At the very least, all documentation from the Dean of Students office or the doctor should be accepted if there is a legitimate reason for an absence.
If a professor wants to take roll call, fine. Roll should only serve as a written record of whether or not a student deserves an “F” or suspension from Financial Aid.
Students spend roughly $3500 each semester at Sam Houston State University, most with the intention of getting an education out of the investment, so give us a break and stop burning our money.