Attendance Policy
Attendance is important for all students at WMCGW in regard to probation and grades. In particular, however, it is especially important for international students to maintain their I-20s. In addition, accurate records must be kept because government agencies (like SEVIS and USCIS) can request attendance records for international students.
It is highly recommended that students do not miss any class. Regular class attendance is expected and will be recorded in every class. The maximum number of absences allowed for a student is three per semester. More than three absences will lead automatically F of the course. Three times late will equal one absence. To those who were absent more than 3 times per semester, attendance warning will be issued at midterm and final.
For students registering for a course for the first time during the Add/Drop Period, any classes they have missed before the registration will be applied to their absence tally. It is the students’ responsibility to contact instructors for assignments to make up the course work they have missed. The instructor may allow up to two weeks for students to complete the make-up assignments.
The grade for all make-up work not completed within the given time frame will be recorded as zero by the instructor. Students in danger of failing the classes due to excessive absenteeism and/or tardiness will be notified by their instructors.
Any exception to this policy requires a written petition of the student and an approval of the School Director.
Regular class attendance is expected and must be recorded in every face-to face class. Students are encouraged to check attendance regularly and discrepancies with their professors or school office. Below is the guide line to manage class attendance of students.
ATTENDANCE RESULT NUMBER OF CLASSES ABSENT
80% or better In Good Standing 1-3
Between 75 and 79 % Attendance probation 4
Under 75 % Possible I-20 Termination** 5 or more
(** Student will also be required to meet the Director of Students)
What is an Absence?
An absence is either 1) not attending class at all or 2) arriving late or leaving early three times. The school system only totals the “absent”, “late”, and “leave early”, so an absence must be added for every three “late” or “leave early”.
Leave of Absence
In the case of a prolonged illness or accident, death in the family, or other special circumstances that make attendance impossible or impractical, a leave of absence may be granted to the student if requested in writing by the student or designee. No monetary charges or cumulated absences may be assessed to the student during a leave of absence. A school need not treat a leave of absence as a withdrawal if it is an approved leave of absence. A leave of absence is an approved leave of absence if: a. The school has a formal, published policy regarding leaves of absence; b. The student followed the institution’s policy in requesting the leave of absence and submits a signed, dated request with the reasons for the leave of absence; c. The school determines that there is a reasonable expectation that the student will return to the school; d. The school approved the student’s request in accordance with the published policy; e. The school does not impose additional charges to the student as a result of the leave of absence; f. The leave of absence does not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period; and g. Upon the student’s return from the leave of absence, the student is permitted to complete the coursework he began prior to the leave of absence.