Get Support from the Dean of Students

The Office of the Dean of Students does not manage all attendance issues; we only support extenuating circumstances. 

What are Extenuating Circumstances?

• Prolonged Illness/Chronic Health Issues
• Hospitalization
• Family Emergencies (e.g., death of an immediate family member)
• Fire and Flood Emergencies
• Military Deployment
• Others may apply, depending

What are NOT Extenuating Circumstances?

• Singular/Follow-Up Medical Appointments
• Transportation Issues (e.g., parking, traffic, car trouble, flight delays)
• Vacation

How To Request

1. The student contacts the Office of the Dean of Students, providing documentation that will be validated, covering the span of their absence from class. 
   1. Documentation may include a doctors note, official certification, an obituary, etc.
2. The documentation is reviewed and validated by the Office of the Dean of Students.
3. If approved, an email is sent to all relevant faculty confirming the student’s documentation.
4. The student is notified that the email was sent to their faculty.
5. The decision to provide or not provide flexibility to the student is made by the course’s faculty, not the Office of the Dean of Students.

Please Note: Our office will not be involved in the process beyond this point unless the faculty needs clarifying information, would like guidance or a second opinion. It is up to the student to follow up with their professor(s) directly about course requirements.

We recognize that life happens. Students get sick, struggle with transportation issues or face family emergencies. Your Department Chair, School Director or the Office of Faculty Excellence may be helpful in developing a plan and practice to deal with these issues. Faculty are highly encouraged to review the OFE Attendance: Options and Considerations.

Available support includes:

• Academic accommodations
• Counseling and health services
• Lactation spaces
• Referrals to community resources

Students and faculty work together to create a plan that supports continued academic success.

You may need a Dean Certification or Letter of Good Standing for things like transferring schools, studying abroad, graduate or professional school applications and employment or background checks.

Important To Know

• Authorization is required for all requests
• Submit forms at least 7–10 business days before deadlines
• Academic records (such as GPA and transcripts) are handled by the Office of the Registrar
• Disciplinary Records requests need to come through the Office of Student Conduct: Geoffrey Quist