Attendance Philosophy
Point’s attendance regulations are based on the belief that students benefit from the discussion and interaction that take place within a community of learners. By missing live class sessions and/or online interactions, students experience a loss that may not be reflected in a final grade but is nevertheless real.
Attendance Policy and Maximum Allowed Absences
Students are expected to attend regularly and participate actively in each course in which they are enrolled. “Attendance” takes different forms in on-ground courses versus online courses:
On-Ground Courses
In on-ground, in-seat courses, instructors take attendance in each live class session. To be counted “present,” students must attend the entire session in-person and actively engage in the day’s learning activities.
If on-ground students miss more than 25% of a course, the registrar will automatically remove them from the course roster and implement an administrative withdrawal (described in Adding, Dropping, or Withdrawing from Courses).
Online Courses
In fully-online courses, instructors record attendance at the end of each course week. To be counted “present,” students must submit at least one assignment due that week. Examples include discussion forums, projects, papers, presentations, case studies, quizzes, exams, and other assigned learning activities.
If online students miss more than 25% of a course, the registrar will automatically remove them from the course roster and implement an administrative withdrawal (described in Adding, Dropping, or Withdrawing from Courses).
Students representing the University, such as athletes and members of the concert choir, remain responsible for submitting work within the week it is due. They are also responsible for ensuring that they do not exceed the maximum allowed absences. No student will be disadvantaged while representing the University. However, students bear responsibility for notifying faculty no later than one week before missing class for any reason. This advance notice allows time for content to be made available to them and for make-up work to be considered and arranged. It is expected that students will limit their absences outside of these required absences, as they will be withdrawn if they exceed the allowed number of absences.
WARNING: If students are “absent” for two consecutive weeks (14 consecutive days), it may trigger loss of financial aid even if they remain in the course. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information (email Financial.Aid@Point.edu; telephone 706-385-1018).
“No Show” Policy
If a student does not attend or participate at all during the first two weeks of a course, the registrar will assume that the student is a “no show” who does not intend to complete the course—unless, because of exceptional circumstances, prior arrangements have been made with the professor and the Chief Academic Officer. The registrar will therefore remove them from the course roster, implement an administrative withdrawal, and cancel charges. For the full policy, see Adding, Dropping, or Withdrawing from Courses.
Absence Appeals
Occasionally, students must exceed the total number of allowed absences due to extreme circumstances beyond their control, such as a tornado, or a serious illness or injury that puts them in the hospital for several weeks. In such cases, students may submit a written Absence Appeal to the Registrar (Point.Registrar@Point. edu). Such petitions must include an explanation and appropriate documentation (e.g. a note from a physician) of the absences for which the students seek relief. If the Registrar (in consultation with the instructor, department chair, and Chief Academic Officer) grants the appeal, students incur no grade penalties for the absences.
Attendance after a Concussion or Surgery
Students may be temporarily disabled by, for example, a scheduled surgery or a concussion suffered at an athletic event. Policies and procedures governing those special circumstances appear under “Disability Services” in the section of this catalog describing “Support Services Available to All Students.”
Severe Weather Policy
If severe weather causes Point to cancel classes or close offices, administrators will post official notices on the University website and designated social media outlets. Students may also register online to receive text message alerts through Point’s e2Campus© messaging system (https://point.edu/campus-alert). Weather conditions at one’s home or workplace may differ from those at the education site. Accordingly, Point encourages commuters to use good judgment in deciding whether or not to travel to campus in severe weather conditions. Students should communicate with instructors in such circumstances.