The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are expected to report promptly and regularly to all their classes. Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade. It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how participation is achieved in his or her class. Faculty shall encourage students to regularly attend class and shall keep a record of attendance from the beginning of classes through final examinations. If a student has three or more unexcused absences during the semester, the faculty member shall report the student to the campus intervention center. The intervention center shall contact the student and require him or her to discuss the absences with someone in the center. The student is expected to respond to the intervention by regularly attending class. If the student does not positively respond by attending class, the student may be administratively withdrawn from class.

There are two forms of excused absences recognized by the institution:

1. Observance of religious holy days-Sec. 51.911(b), Texas Education Code. An institution of higher education shall excuse a student attending classes and/or required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day. A student whose absence is excused under this section may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment. The student should notify his or her instructor(s) not later than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious holy day(s); and

2. Representing the College District at an official institutional function. If a student is asked by the College District to be an official representative of the College District at any function approved by the institution, the student will be excused from any classes missed and must be allowed to complete all work without penalty for that absence(s) in a timely manner as directed by the faculty member.

Other absences may be excused at the discretion of the faculty member (see note below).

If a student resides in College District housing, failure to attend classes may be grounds for loss of residential housing privileges (see residential housing contract for details). Students enrolled in developmental courses are subject to state-mandated attendance policies. Failure to attend developmental classes shall result in removal from the course as defined by state law.

Applied Business, Information Technology, & Public Service Division

Special notes relating to Attendance Policy

1. Notification of observance of religious holy days must be submitted to instructor in writing no later than the 15th day of the semester concerning the date(s).

2. Any and all absences other than Observance of religious holy days and representing Blinn College will be Unexcused.