Student-Athlete Attendance Policy - Weber State University Athletics

The main goal of any college student is to obtain a degree. The Athletic Department is also committed to this goal. In that regard, a student-athlete is expected to attend all class sessions for each and every class he/she may have. Going to class is the essential first step in obtaining this goal. Regular class attendance also sends a message to the faculty that the student-athlete is taking the course seriously. It is important to not only attend all class sessions but to arrive to class on time and remain for the entire length of the class. It is impermissible for you to miss class, leave early or arrive late to prepare or attend practice.

Because of the nature of athletics it may be necessary for you to miss a class due to travel or competition. It is important for each student-athlete to be responsible for the absences they may have. You have the right to make up any work missed due to any event that represents Weber State University, but you must abide by the policies of each instructor on how to make up the missed work. It is mandatory that you notify your instructors ahead of time when you will be missing class due to an athletic event.

MISSING CLASS FOR COMPETITION

At the beginning of each semester the Academic Coordinator will make available a letter (through your coach) from the Director of Athletics, describing the travel and competition schedules for each team. Take this letter to each of your instructors during the first class sessions of the semester, explaining to them the times you may miss class due to travel and competition.

Prior to leaving on a trip for the Athletic Department, you should follow up with each instructor to remind them that you will be missing class. The following is a script of what you should do and say to a professor if you are going to miss a class because of travel and/or competition in your sport:

1) Make an appointment to see the instructor or go to his/her office during their office hours. This will give you time to explain why you will be missing class and go over anything you may miss while you are gone. Talking to an instructor right before or right after class is not recommended. Instructors often have other things on their mind during this time and may not give you the time necessary to explain your dilemma.

2) It is highly recommended that when you talk with your instructor, know what is due in the class that you will be missing. Ask the instructor if you can do the assignments/test/papers etc. ahead of time. You want the instructor to work with you and come up with solutions that are agreeable for both of you.

3) Remember that you do have a right to make up work that is missed due to an official school function, as long as you notify the instructor ahead of time of when you will be gone. IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR INSTRUCTORS KNOW PRIOR TO BEING GONE, DO NOT EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE UP THE MISSING WORK. Classes missed due to sickness or personal reasons are not covered by the Policies and Procedures Manual (see the statement below), you need to be just as responsible for those missed classes as well.

The official Weber State Policy as described in the Policy and Procedures Manual #4-22, date 4-20-77 concerning students representing Weber State is as follows:

Many of our students at Weber State University have been actively recruited to our campus by scholarships or other means because of their talents and skills in a variety of areas. While in school, they are frequently required to leave the campus to display these talents and skills in the name of Weber State University at forensic tournaments, musical or drama productions, athletic events, etc.

This being the case, it is assumed that professors and administrators will be helpful, cooperative, and fair in dealing with these students in terms of exams, assignments, and other course requirements which may be missed or delayed because the student is off campus in a supervised, university sponsored activity. Inasmuch as these students represent the university, they should be given more favorable consideration in the application of class requirements and procedures than those students who simply skip class or miss class for some inexcusable reason. Efforts should be made to assist legitimately excused students engaged in university sponsored activities to compete academically with students whose attendance may not be officially interrupted.

Students who are to be officially absent will advise teachers in advance that they must be absent from the campus and make necessary arrangements as far as tests and assignments are concerned. It is expected that the arrangements mutually agreed upon by teacher and student will be respected and carried out by both parties.