Attendance Policy

Class Attendance

Class attendance is expected. Individual faculty members and academic departments are free to define individual requirements and expectations with regard to particular courses. Failure of students to meet such requirements or expectations may result in lowered grades, an involuntary withdrawal from a course, and, if the last day for withdrawal has passed, a failing grade.

Attendance and interaction during class are integral to the education provided at Guilford, and College policy fundamentally emphasizes individual instructors' rights to set limits on the number of absences allowed in a given course. In further support of individual instructors, however, the College grants the Associate Academic Dean for Advising the right, following a consultation with the faculty member of record, to withdraw a student administratively from any course in which he or she has reached the number of absences listed below. Faculty are encouraged to inform students ahead of time if they are approaching the limits indicated below, but since class attendance is absolutely the responsibility of the student, faculty are not required to do so. In no way should these limits be interpreted by students as maximum allowable absences. Instead, these limits represent the point at which College policy authorizes administrative withdrawal; a student with this number of absences will have missed twenty percent of a given course, and fairness to other students dictates the administrative withdrawal.

  • Courses meeting once per week, full semester: three absences
  • Courses meeting twice per week, full semester: six absences
  • Courses meeting three times per week, full semester: nine absences
  • Courses meeting four or five times per week, full semester: twelve absences
  • Courses meeting once per week, Fast Track: two absences
  • Courses meeting twice per week, Fast Track: four absences
  • Summer school courses, five-week session: four absences
  • Summer school courses, ten-week session: three absences

If this withdrawal occurs prior to the published last day to withdraw with a W grade, the student will be awarded a grade of W. If this withdrawal occurs after that day, the faculty member will award the student either a WP (withdrawn passing) or WF (withdrawn failing) grade, the former of which has no effect on the cumulative grade point average but the latter of which affects the student’s grade point average as if it were an F. Both WP and WF grades may affect a student’s subsequent financial aid eligibility because each indicates that a course was attempted but not completed. No tuition refunds will be granted for administrative withdrawals other than those allowable under policies published in the College catalogue.

Teachers and/or academic departments are free to set their own more stringent attendance policies for their classes. Students on academic probation are permitted no unexcused absences.

NOTE: Laboratory attendance is considered an essential part of science and language courses. The success of classes using discussion techniques and seminars emphasizing student participation depends on regular attendance by the participants.

If a Student Never Attends a Course


Full Term Courses: If, by the deadline for reporting interim grades, a student has yet to attend one class, the instructor is requested to award this student, at this time, a (final) grade of WN (withdrawn, never attended). This grade will not affect the student’s grade point average but, because it represents a withdrawal from the course, may adversely affect the student’s subsequent financial aid eligibility. No tuition refunds will be granted for such administrative withdrawals other than those allowable under policies published in the College catalogue.

Fast Track and Summer Courses: If, by the deadline for reporting final grades for this course, a student has never attended a class, the instructor is requested to award this student a final grade of WN (withdrawn, never attended). This grade will not affect the student’s grade point average but, because it represents a withdrawal from the course, may adversely affect the student’s subsequent financial aid eligibility. No tuition refunds will be granted for such administrative withdrawals other than those allowable under policies published in the College catalogue.

Intercollegiate Athletic Contests

To facilitate the scheduling of intercollegiate athletic competitions, an effort is made to make the calendar for the academic year a stable one that is announced as far in advance as possible. When given satisfactory notice by student athletes, faculty are encouraged to work with students to assure that they are given every opportunity to make up and class assignments or exams.


Class Attendance and Extracurricular Activities


Intellectual development is the central concern of a liberal arts college. Extracurricular activities offer a wide variety of opportunities for enrichment of undergraduate experience, but established academic priorities must be maintained. Guilford students are expected to attend all classes and meetings, which are part of their course work. Those representing the College in departmentally or institutionally sponsored extracurricular activities, which cause them to miss classes, labs, or meetings should, with the approval of the professor, make up that work, including examinations. A student must arrange for make-up work with the professor prior to any absence he/she expects to have excused. In cases where make-up work is impossible because of the nature of the instructional experience, students must assume personal responsibility for choosing between their academic obligation and the extracurricular activity. At no time will students be excused from curricular responsibilities such as classes, labs, field trips or meetings to
participate in extracurricular practices, rehearsals, or meetings, but must arrange with coaches and/or sponsors to make up missed extracurricular work or drills.

Travel plans. It is expected that students will make travel plans that do not conflict with scheduled tests, exams, classes, labs or assignments. Faculty have been requested not to adjust course requirements to suit individual travel arrangements.

Personal or Medical Emergency. Students who experience a personal or medical emergency should notify the Office for Campus Life who will notify the instructors of the absence. Students are responsible for all missed work and the notification does not constitute an excused absence.


Academic Probation


A Guilford College student will be placed on academic probation if her/his cumulative grade-point average is below the level of 2.00 required for graduation.

Students placed on academic probation are not allowed any unexcused absences from classes. A student’s eligibility to continue at Guilford College is contingent upon earning at least a C (2.00) average during each term that she/he is on academic probation. Earning a C average during a given term may not remove a student from academic probation, but it will assure eligibility to continue at Guilford. Failure to meet these conditions of academic probation will result in suspension or dismissal from the College.

Academic probation is not considered a punitive measure, but rather an indication that the student needs to find a better strategy for academic success. Students on academic probation are encouraged to consult with her/his academic adviser, staff of the Academic Skills Center, or from the Campus Life staff to help surmount difficulties that might lead to suspension or dismissal.

Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or greater to graduate from Guilford College. Students can not graduate from Guilford College while on academic probation.


Academic Suspension or Dismissal. If while on academic probation a student records a semester grade point average between 1.75 and 1.99, inclusively, the student will be academically suspended.

If while on academic probation a student records a semester average below 1.75, the student will be academically dismissed from Guilford.

After any semester, if a student’s term and cumulative grade-point averages are both a 1.00 or less, the student will be dismissed from the College without a probationary period.


Disciplinary Suspension or Dismissal. The Dean of Students has the authority to withdraw a student from the college if the continued presence of the student on campus constitutes a direct threat to the student or other members of the college community.


Voluntary Withdrawal. All students who wish to withdraw from the College during a semester or at the end of a semester must indicate their intentions through completion of an official withdrawal form. Withdrawal forms can be obtained through the Office for Campus Life for traditional students or at the Center for Continuing Education for adult students. All students who withdraw must complete and submit applications for readmission if they wish to re-enroll. If an official withdrawal form is not completed, it could result in "F" grades causing academic probation, suspension, or dismissal. Students who voluntarily withdrawal after the last day to drop a course with a W will receive a W (grade), reflecting the grade at the time of withdrawal, i.e. "WP" or "WF." (Withdrawal Form)


Medical Withdrawal. When illness, injury, or psychological/psychiatric disorders occurs while a student is enrolled, a student or guardian may request a medical withdrawal from school. The Dean of Students must approve all medical withdrawals. Documentation of the illness, injury, or psychological/psychiatric disorder from a medical professional (employed by Guilford College or not) is required prior to this approval. Medical documentation supporting a request for a medical withdrawal must be submitted within 30 days of the last attended class unless medical documentation is provided that satisfactorily explains a longer time period. Students who are granted medical withdrawals receive grades of W (withdrawn) in all courses in progress at the date of the medical withdrawal. Specific conditions for re-admittance are stipulated at the time of withdrawal. These conditions may specify a minimum period of time for the withdrawal and/or may require a letter of medical clearance from a physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist stating that in the professional expert's opinion the student is now capable of handling the academic and social demands of college.


GUILFORD COLLEGE PROCEDURES FOR INVOLUNTARY/ADMINISTRATIVE
WITHDRAWAL FOR STUDENTS WITH MEDICAL, MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONDITIONS OR DISABILITIES.

  1. The college’s policy on involuntary withdrawal from the college (cited below) is published in the Student Handbook and also is available to students on line at www.guilford.edu/studenthandbook
  2. If it becomes evident (through observed behavior or by report(s) from faculty, staff or students) that a withdrawal from the college may be in the best interest of a student and the college and the student (and/or his or her family) does not agree, then the following procedures will be engaged:
  • The Dean of Students will review all available information obtained from incident reports, conversations with students, faculty and staff, and the expert opinions of appropriate medical professionals.
  • The Dean of Students will engage in a determination on an individualized, case-by-case basis and will apply the direct threat analysis, taking into consideration the nature, duration and severity of the risk and the likelihood, imminence and nature of the future harmful conduct, either to the student or to others in the college community.
  • The Dean of Students will meet with the student (if possible), giving notice to the student of the meeting and providing an opportunity for the student (and his/her family if the student has a signed waiver indicating permission to share information) to provide evidence to the contrary and/or to make suggestions for reasonable accommodation(s) short of involuntary withdrawal from the college.
  • If, after conversation, the student chooses to withdraw voluntarily, a Withdrawal Form will be processed indicating that the withdrawal is voluntary and of a medical nature and setting appropriate conditions for the student’s return.
  • If, after conversation, the student maintains that s/he would like to remain enrolled, the dean for campus life will consult with appropriate medical professionals regarding the evidence presented by the student. [Failure by the student to sign the Consent to Share Information form so that medical/clinical professionals may be consulted will result in the involuntary withdrawal from the college as the college will have insufficient evidence to render an individualized determination]. The dean will also consult with the vice president for enrollment and campus life and other college officials as appropriate.
  • The Dean of Students will render a decision and present that decision to the student in writing. Should the decision be to withdraw the student involuntarily, appropriate conditions for return will be contained within the withdrawal letter. The college will not as a condition of return mandate that self-injurious behavior ceases unless that behavior continues to constitute a direct threat to the student or others. The college will require, as a condition for return, a signed release by the student for the Dean of Students and appropriate college officials to discuss the student’s readiness to return to college and assistance in developing reasonable accommodation(s) to mitigate any direct threat to self or others.
  • Should the student choose to appeal the Dean of Student’s decision, s/he will make such appeal to the president, who will render a final decision.

Leave of Absence. A traditional-age student in good academic and financial standing may apply for a leave of absence for one or two semesters. A leave of absence may be approved for students with financial, personal, or medical concerns, students participating in non-Guilford educational experiences, and students who need a break. Students considering this option need to meet with a member of the Campus Life staff who will provide full details and assist in working out specific arrangements related to the leave. All students who withdraw must complete and submit applications for readmission if they wish to re-enroll. (Leave of Absence Form)


Registration Cancellation Policy. A student may request to have her/his complete semester course registration canceled up until 30 calendar days from the last day of final exams for that semester if and only if there is no evidence that the student engaged in any academic related activity during the semester such as:

  1. Attending a class;
  2. Meeting with an academic adviser;
  3. Using college resources (e.g., computer account, library, athletic facility);
  4. Fines for parking;
  5. Cafeteria;
  6. Academic Skills Center;
  7. Career and Community Learning

To request a registration cancellation, traditional students need to contact the Office for Campus Life. Adult students should contact the Center for Continuing Education.


Vacating Residence Halls. Students residing on campus who withdraw or take a leave of absence from the College are required to vacate residence halls within 24 hours of their effective date of withdrawal.


Readmission. All students receiving withdrawals or leaves of absence from Guilford who subsequently wish to return to Guilford as a student are required to reapply through the appropriate admission office (Center for Continuing Education, Early College, or traditional student). Academically suspended and academically dismissed students may apply for readmission after one calendar year. Applications for Readmission are available on the Guilford College Website.

After reviewing a student’s application for readmission, the appropriate admission office (Early College, Center for Continuing Education (CCE), Traditional) may, at its discretion, refer the application to the Associate Academic Dean for Advising (AADA) for her/his advice.

However, if an applicant that is applying for readmission is otherwise admissible but had been academically suspended or academically dismissed from the College or has a pending academic honor code charge, the admission office must refer the person’s application to the AADA for her/his approval before the person may be offered readmission. The AADA may either grant or deny such approval with or without soliciting advice from the Readmission Advisory Group.

If an applicant that is applying for readmission is otherwise admissible but had been suspended or dismissed from the College for judicial violations, has a pending judicial charge, or left the College with a medical withdrawal, the relevant admission office must first refer the person’s application to the Dean of Students before then forwarding the application to the AADA for her/his approval.

In considering an application for readmission, the AADA and the Readmission Advisory Group may use information provided by the Dean of Students, and any other appropriate college officials. For an application following a medical withdrawal, the AADA and the Readmission Advisory Group may also consult the Director of Student Health and/or the Director of Counseling Services.

Readmission is not guaranteed. If readmitted following academic suspension or dismissal, a student will be required to satisfy the conditions of academic probation explained above. A student who withdrew while on academic probation returns on academic probation. A student returning from academic suspension or dismissal may become eligible again for financial aid; the returning student must file an appeal with the Financial Aid Office. A readmitted student is permitted to resume athletic participation if he/she meets all athletic eligibility standards.