Student Attendance Policy

Policy: SC-05 | Updated on June 13, 2024

Policy

Students are expected to attend all program classes that they are enrolled in unless they have a valid explanation for their absence. The College may require a doctor’s note from students who cite illness.  Instructors and the College have the right to bar students from writing the final examination of a course if students have missed 20% or more of the course. Satisfactory attendance is required and is therefore taken into consideration when calculating the student’s final mark for the program of instruction.

Procedure

1. Hourly attendance records are kept for each course in a program of instruction.
2. Three late arrivals or early departures will be the equivalent of one absence. Absence, late arrival, and/or early departure will count against their total attendance requirement.
3. If the student is absent for the first two courses of the program, they may be removed from the class list and will have to reschedule the course.
4. Attendance is recorded from the first day of the program, not the first day of a student’s attendance. If for any reason a student begins the course late, any and all classes he or she has missed will be considered absences.
5. When unable to attend, the student must contact the College before the program class start time and leave a message for the instructor. It is the student’s decision and responsibility if he/she decides to miss any class time and they are required to discuss it in advance with their instructor. It is also the student’s responsibility to maintain constant progress in the program.
6. When students are unable to attend a program course, they must demonstrate that there have been unanticipated and extenuating circumstances that prevented their attendance. These circumstances generally involve illnesses, personal emergencies, and death in their immediate family. Absences based on illness must be accompanied by a doctor’s note without exception.
7. All absences are recorded, regardless of the reason. Students who miss over 20% of the course, even due to illness, may be barred from sitting the final exam.
8. If a student continues to demonstrate poor attendance after receiving a written warning from the College, the student will be put on probation, possibly leading to dismissal, particularly where poor attendance is coupled with poor academic performance and/or failure to maintain course completion dates.

Leave Of Absence

1. If a student is going to be absent for more than three consecutive days due to such extenuating circumstances as a family emergency or serious illness, they must immediately notify the Student Services Coordinator.
2. The Campus Director will review each request and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. The student, upon returning to studies, is responsible for fulfilling all of the program requirements before receiving a certificate/diploma. The College cannot guarantee that the course a student needs to complete their program
3. will be available directly upon the student’s return to study.

Leave Of Absence

• Saint Community College Ltd recognizes a two-week Winter Holiday Break during the month of December. Should students require program breaks at any time in their program, they are required to fill out a Status Change/Contract Amendment Form which is available from Student Services. The fee for the first request will be waived; however, any subsequent requests will have an administrative fee applied.

Postponements

• Students may postpone their program only once. The College’s refund policy will be applied and enforced if students are withdrawn due to multiple postponements.