Policy Information
Registrar's Office
Students
In general, regular and punctual attendance in all classes is expected of all students. However, at times, students will miss classes.
For 100-200 Level courses
Absences for 100-200 level courses fall into two categories:
1. University Approved Absences
1. University Approved Absences include Liberty University sponsored events, athletic competition, short-term (one week or less) or emergency military mobilizations, and other Provost-approved absences.
2. The student must provide written documentation in advance for University Approved Absences. For military duty related absences, students who have received advanced notification orders are required to provide documentation for their military-related absence two weeks prior to the absence when feasible; however, students should turn-in documentation as soon as the orders are received. Whenever possible, students are required to be proactive by turning in pre-assigned coursework before their military-related absence begins. In the event of a short notice military obligation (e.g. State Active Duty, emergency mobilization, rescheduled training assembly, etc.), students must notify faculty members as soon as possible.
3. Work missed for University-approved absences may be made up.
2. Student Elective Absences
1. Student Elective Absences include, but are not limited to, illness and bereavement.
2. Work missed for Student Elective Absences may be made up at the discretion of the faculty member. Questions regarding missed work for Student Elective Absences must be addressed by the student with the professor within one week of returning to class. In cases where this is not possible, the student must notify the Professor in writing of the circumstances impacting his or her absence. The student may appeal the Professor's decision in writing to the respective Chair within one week. Final appeals may be made to the Dean in writing within one week of the Chair's decision and the Dean's decision is final.
3. When circumstances result in excessive absences (e.g., serious medical illness, family crisis), upon return to campus, the student shall communicate in writing with the Registrar's Office (Registrar@liberty.edu) and provide an explanation of his or her situation with appropriate documentation. The Registrar will consult with the faculty member before making the final decision and will notify, in writing, the student and the faculty member.
4. Students who are more than 10 minutes late for class are considered absent.
5. Students who are late for class 10 minutes or less are considered tardy but present for the class. If a student misses in-class work due to tardiness, the faculty member may choose not to allow the student to make up this work. Three class tardies will be counted as one absence.
6. Number of Student Elective Absences Permitted:
1. For classes that meet three times per week, the student will be permitted four elective absences for semester-long courses and up to two elective absences for 8-week courses.
2. For classes that meet twice per week, the student will be permitted three elective absences for semester-long courses and one elective absence for 8-week courses.
3. For classes that meet once per week, the student will be permitted one elective absence for semester-long and 8-week courses.
Penalties for each absence over the permitted number of elective absences per semester will be as follows:
1. 50 points for classes that meet 3 times per week
2. 75 points for classes that meet 2 times per week
3. 100 points for classes that meet once per week
For 300-400 Level courses
Absences for 300-400 level courses fall into two categories:
1. University Approved Absences
1. University Approved Absences include Liberty University sponsored events, athletic competition, short-term (one week or less) or emergency military mobilizations, and other Provost-approved absences.
2. The student must provide written documentation in advance for University Approved Absences. For military duty related absences, students who have received advanced notification orders are required to provide documentation for their military-related absence two weeks prior to the absence when feasible; however, students should turn-in documentation as soon as the orders are received. Whenever possible, students are required to be proactive by turning in pre-assigned coursework before their military-related absence begins. In the event of a short notice military obligation (e.g. State Active Duty, emergency mobilization, rescheduled training assembly, etc.), students must notify faculty members as soon as possible.
3. Work missed for University-approved absences may be made up.
2. Student Elective Absences
1. While the University believes that consistent attendance in all classes is the largest contributor to students earning good grades, the University Attendance Policy allows students in upper-level classes the opportunity to make their own decisions concerning attendance.
2. Work missed for Student Elective Absences may be made up at the discretion of the faculty member. Questions regarding missed work for Student Elective Absences must be addressed by the student with the professor within one week of returning to class. In cases where this is not possible, the student must notify the Professor in writing of the circumstances impacting his or her absence. The student may appeal the Professor's decision in writing to the respective Chair within one week. Final appeals may be made to the Dean in writing within one week of the Chair's decision and the Dean's decision is final.
3. When circumstances result in excessive absences (e.g., serious medical illness, family crisis), upon return to campus the student shall communicate in writing with the Registrar's Office (Registrar@liberty.edu) and provide an explanation of his or her situation with appropriate documentation. The Registrar will consult with the faculty member before making the final decision and will notify, in writing, the student and the faculty member.
For the good of the Liberty University student body, a consistent attendance policy is needed so that all students in all majors will understand the expectations of faculty in all their courses.
None specified
Procedural Information
None specified
None specified
None
7/1/2014
8/26/2021
8/26/2026