Attendance Procedures for Military

I. Purpose

Regular student attendance at and participation in class facilitates knowledge transfer and is a key to academic success. Absences, on the other hand, seriously disrupt a student's orderly progression in a course. Regular absences often have a negative impact upon the final grade. Although an occasional absence might be unavoidable, the absence does not excuse a student from meeting the requirements of the missed class(es). The student is responsible for preparing all assignments for the next class and for completing work missed as a result of absences. Instructors are responsible for establishing attendance requirements in their course syllabi and for informing students of those requirements at the beginning of each academic term.

II. Excused Absence for Military Service

A. Policy Statement

Reserve or active duty military students at Central Piedmont Community College may be granted excused absences for class time that is missed upon receipt of temporary or permanent reassignment as a result of military operations. This policy also applies to any student who is a National Guard service member, placed upon active duty status during an academic term for the period of time the student is on active duty. All military students should set up an appointment with Military Families and Veterans Services in advance of absences and present a copy of their military orders in order to receive appropriate advisement and excused absence procedures.

B. Procedures

The intent of this policy is to make accommodation to military students, consistent with State Board of Community Colleges Code1B SBCC 500.1, and to enable them to complete the academic term. This intent is accomplished through the through the following Procedures:

  1. The student will be allowed to make up any tests or other work missed during the excused absence.
  2. Where feasible, the College will allow the student to continue classes and coursework during the academic term through online participation for the period of time the student is on active duty. If the student leaves at a point where substantial course work has been completed, the student may request the assignment of a grade for work completed. This requires the approval of the faculty member of record.
  3. The student will also be given an option of receiving a temporary grade of “Incomplete” (I) for any course that the student was unable to complete as a result of call to active duty. The student shall, however, complete the course requirements within six months from the end of the term, as specified in Policy 3.07 Withdrawal from Classes, to avoid receiving a failing grade for the course.
  4. The student is permitted to drop the course(s), with no penalty, if unable to complete as a result of being placed on active duty status. If elected, financial aid will be adjusted as required.
  5. The student is permitted to drop — with no financial penalty — any course that the student is unable to complete as a result of the excused absence set forth in State Board of Community Colleges Code 1E SBCCC 900.4. If elected, financial aid will be adjusted as required, and any financial aid refunds will be repaid by the student.

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