Student Absence Protocols
Students will not be provided with clearance documentation for general infectious illness, including infectious illness-related absences. Students who have missed class or activities, or will miss, due to extenuating circumstances should refer to the guidance below on how to communicate an absence with instructors or resolve outstanding work due to absence.
Communicate with Your Instructors
If you are absent from class, you should always notify your instructors as soon as possible or in advance, when applicable. It is important to review each course or activity absence policy.
In extenuating circumstances, you may be asked to provide documentation for your absence. Absence notifications are not an official excuse. They are provided on the student’s behalf to explain the circumstances surrounding an absence. The instructor should work with the student to submit missed coursework when appropriate. Not all coursework is eligible for makeup.
Please work directly with your instructor and campus resources for the following absences:
- Military obligations: Work with your instructor and the VA Certifying Official, Diane Praet, associate vice president and registrar, at 313-993-3313 or praetdm@udmercy.edu.
- Legal obligations: Work with your instructor.
- Disability: Work with Student Accessibility Services and your instructor.
- Short-term hardship: Work with your instructor and when appropriate, the dean of students for your college or school.
- Extended hardship that requires long-term absence or management: Work with your instructor and the dean of students for your college or school.
- Religious holiday: Work with your instructor.
- Death in family: Work with instructor and the dean of students for your college or school.
Infectious Illness
Students should follow all self-isolation guidelines relating to infectious illness as put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or your consulting medical provider.
Guidance and protocols for COVID-19 isolation, exposure and testing can be found on the CDC COVID-19 website.
Testing for COVID-19 can be done when you have developed symptoms. If you have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 and are not experiencing symptoms, you should still test at least five days after the exposure. Free mail-order tests can be obtained at https://www.covid.gov/tests or find out more about testing at home and where to get tested.
Distress-Related Absence
Students and instructors can refer to the Recognizing Student Distress website for appropriate steps when you or others are experiencing behavioral concerns. For this type of absence, please contact the dean of students for your college or school or simply complete the BIT Care form.