Policies & Procedures >> Courses >> Attendance

Policies Governing Class Attendance

Some professors and departments are very strict about class attendance; others do not consider it part of the grading system. If the instructor thinks a student has an excessive number of absences, the student’s final grade may be lowered. Some departments, the foreign languages in particular, have very precise rules for attendance.

If a student must miss class at any point during the semester, he or she should notify the College Office and the professor as soon as possible.

Failure to attend a class for which one is registered does not result in being automatically dropped from the class. Students should check Penn InTouch before the end of the Course Selection period and before the end of the Drop period each semester to verify their roster.

Absence Due to Illness

If a student is sick and will miss class, he or she should email or call the College Office as soon as possible (215.898.6341). If the student provides proper documentation of the illness, the student's professors will be notified by a representative of the College Office.

Athletes

Athletes are responsible for making up any work missed because of athletic obligations.