Attendance Policies

Instructors should determine the attendance policy for their courses in light of their learning goals.

The Bok Center recommends:

• Make attendance mandatory for all course components, including section. Convey clear expectations to students regarding attendance and participation on your syllabus and canvas site.
• Consider allowing one absence without penalty in lieu of making a distinction between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. The Student Handbook does not require students to provide written documentation for absences (with the exception of Registrar-scheduled exams and midterms), and neither Resident Deans nor the staff of HUHS are generally in a position to confirm student reports of illness.
• Maintain a consistent practice of taking attendance (including in large lectures). Here are several methods and tools for taking attendance: https://atg.fas.harvard.edu/attendance-tracking
• Follow up with students who have excessive absences. File a midterm report for students with early semester attendance issues, which will notify their Resident Deans (whom you may also contact directly with concerns).
• Student athletes who report class conflicts should talk to their coach to see if there is a way they can make an adjustment to their athletics commitment in order to prioritize their academic obligations.