Student Attendance Policies

Students’ engagement in educational activities promotes learning and is a positive influence on the learning environment.

Phase 1

Students must participate in all required activities and complete all required assignments.  Students are expected to be present at the start of, and to remain present at, all required sessions. All students are expected to take examinations for a course on the scheduled date and time.  Students are responsible to learn all material associated with any missed educational activity.

Unexcused absences, late arrivals or not being present throughout required sessions may lead to submission of a Professional Behavior Concern form. (Please see Grading and Promotional Policies – Evaluation of Non-Academic Performance).

Unexpected Absences

Students must notify the Phase 1 coordinator and course director as soon as possible in the case of an unexpected absence.

Anticipated Absences including for Observance of a Religious Holiday and Non-Urgent Health Care Appointments

The School of Medicine respects the right of students to observe religious holidays and to ensure that students can access health care as needed for their personal health and well-being. Phase 1 course directors attempt to minimize conflicts with religious holidays when establishing exam schedules.  When a conflict is unavoidable and an exam is scheduled on a religious holiday, an alternative examination date will be identified for the student. Students are encouraged to schedule non-urgent health care appointments at times that do not conflict with required activities in Phase 1.

Requests for an absence should be made to the course director at least four weeks in advance of an anticipated absence.  Once approved, students must notify the Phase 1 coordinator and the faculty member teaching the session as soon as possible.  Students who anticipate missing more than one required session must contact the Office of Student Support to discuss the circumstances. 

Phase 2 and 3

Students must participate in all required learning activities and clinical duties including evening, overnight and weekend shifts.

All students are expected to take clinical subject examinations for a course on the scheduled date and time.  Students will not be scheduled for overnight call within 48 hours of the clinical subject exam and will be excused from clinical duties at noon on the day before the clinical subject exam. 

If a student misses more than one required shift during a Phase 2 or Phase 3 course, they may be required to make up that time in order to meet the objectives for the course.  This decision will be made by the course director in consultation with the Assistant Dean for the appropriate phase of the curriculum.

Unexcused absences may lead to submission of a Professional Behavior Concern form. (Please see Grading and Promotional Policies – Evaluation of Non-Academic Performance).

Unexpected Absences

Students must notify the Phase 2 or 3 course director, coordinator and their clinical care team as soon as possible in the case of an unexpected absence.

Anticipated Absences including for Observance of a Religious Holiday and Non-Urgent Health Care Appointments

The School of Medicine respects the right of students to observe religious holidays and to ensure that students can access health care as needed for their personal health and well-being. Students are encouraged to schedule non-urgent health care appointments at times that do not conflict with clinical responsibilities.

Requests for an absence should be made to the course director at least four weeks in advance of an anticipated absence.  Requests may be able to be accommodated, however, time that is missed may need to be made up to fulfill the course objectives. Once approved, students must notify the course director, coordinator and their clinical care team as soon as possible.  Students who anticipate missing more than one required shift must contact the Office of Student Support to discuss the circumstances.