Updated policy as of 9/28/23
Formal excuses are not required for medical absences for up to a week of missed classes. Students may contact their faculty directly to discuss completing missed assignments and exams.
Students missing more than a week of classes due to illness will be required to provide a doctor’s note or other supporting documentation to the Dean of Students Office. Your Student Support Dean will communicate the receipt of the note (with expected end date) to the relevant faculty.
Students’ first commitment at RPI is to their academics. It is essential that students attend all class meetings; however, we understand that unforeseen events or preplanned opportunities may conflict with scheduled class time.
Formal excused absences are not required for medical absences for up to a week of missed classes*. Students may contact their faculty directly to discuss completing missed assignments and exams. Students missing more than a week of classes due to illness may seek a formal excused absence through the Student Health Center or by providing a doctor’s note or other supporting documentation to the Dean of Students Office.
*A week is defined as the number of times a course meets in a given week. For example, in a course that meets Mondays/Thursdays, a student can miss up to two classes, consecutive or non-consecutive, during the semester with no formal excused absence or doctor’s note. In a lab course that meets once a week on Wednesdays, a student can miss up to one class during the semester with no formal excused absence or doctor’s note.
The Dean of Students Office does not issue excused absences during final exams. In extreme circumstances (such as being hospitalized), the Dean of Students Office may intercede on your behalf and issue a “No Examination Grade.” Details regarding missing final exams.
Types of Absences
Include but are not limited to:
- Funeral
- Family reunion
- Wedding
- Job interview
- Graduate school interview and/or visit
- ROTC event
- Rensselaer Union club activity
- Conference
In all instances, if the faculty member approves the absence, no formal excused absence from the Dean of Students Office is required.
Include but are not limited to:
- Hospital admission
- Death of a family member or significant other
- Serious illness of a family member or significant other
- Extended illness or physical immobility
- Family crisis
If you are feeling unwell, please contact the Student Health Center at 518-276-6287.
Health Absence (if exceeding one week of absence)
- Illness or injury-related absences diagnosed and treated by the Student Health Center
- Doctor’s note from your personal physician, treatment provider, or a hospital
Funeral
- Obituary from local newspaper
- Email from a parent or guardian confirming the date(s) of absence and relationship to the deceased
Family Reunion
- Email from a parent or guardian requesting your presence, date(s), and location of the event
Wedding
- Invitation addressed to you specifying the date(s) and the location of absence
- Email from a parent or guardian requesting your presence, date(s), and location of the event
Job Interview/Graduate School Interview and/or Visit
- Email from the company/school, including interview date(s) and location
ROTC Event
- Email from ROTC, including date(s) and location
Rensselaer Union Club Activity or Conference
- Email from the Rensselaer Union or sponsoring department
- Conference material stating the title, date(s), and location of the event
Religious Absence
- RPI is a non-denominational university that welcomes all faiths. If there is a conflict between the university calendar and a student’s religious observances, students should work directly with their faculty to ensure that religious participation is not restricted.
Weather-Related
- We generally do not provide excused absences for weather-related absences. If classes are in session, it is expected that students will attend.
Travel-Related
- We generally do not provide excused absences for travel-related absences. If you find yourself in this situation, contact your instructor.
How do I request an excused absence from class?
- Request an absence directly from your course instructor at least one week in advance.
- If your instructor agrees, you're done, no formal excuse is necessary.
- If a formal excused absence is requested, fill out the online form and attach appropriate documentation. Pre-planned absences must be requested at least 3 days in advance.
- If you miss more than a week of class due to illness, you should be seen by the Student Health Center or other medical provider.
There are no "group excuses" or acceptance of a list of participants for class excuses. Each student must discuss the absence with their course instructors directly.
What happens next?
Excused absence requests are emailed directly to the primary instructor listed for each course in the Student Information System, not to Teaching Assistant's or to all faculty in team-taught courses. A confirmation will also be sent to your RPI email. If your request is not approved, a Student Support Dean will contact you directly.
How do I make up missed work?
Each professor handles missed classes and work differently, so be sure to consult with your instructor directly. Depending on the assignment/absence, it may not be possible to make up missed work. For example, a group presentation may not be able to be rescheduled. If an exam is missed, please make arrangements to take the exam as soon as possible.
