Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students’ Office
STUDENT ABSENCE PROTOCOL
Students are expected to attend all meetings of the classes in which they are enrolled. Absences due
to illness or authorized University activity such as field trips are to be reported by the student to
his/her instructors. The reporting of absences does not relieve the student of responsibility for
missed assignments, exams, etc. The student is to take the initiative in arranging with his/her
instructors to make up missed work
When a student needs to miss class for legitimate reasons/emergency situations (family/student
medical issue, death of an immediate family member, or other extenuating circumstance) and when
the absences is likely to be for an extended period (generally three class days or more), students may
contact the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students’ Office to complete an absence notification
request form to request a notice be sent to his/her faculty. This can be completed in person or via
telephone. If the student is physically unable to contact the office, a family member may submit the
notification request. If the student is working with a member of the University’s Counseling or Health
Services, the Counseling and Health Services can assist in making the notification to the Assistant Vice
President/Dean of Students’ Office.
The information need for the request form includes the following:

Name of the Student

Student ID number

Student Telephone number

Student E-mail Address

Dates/anticipated duration of absence

Reason for Absence (i.e., illness, hospitalization, family death etc.)

Person Reporting if not the Student & Contact Telephone Number
Once information has been obtained regarding a student’s absence, the Assistant Vice
President/Dean of Students’ office, as a service to faculty and students will send an absence
notification e-mail to the respective faculty. The absence notification process is only meant as a
notification and not meant to excuse the absence. Excusing an absence is entirely up to the
respective faculty member of the course.
Upon return, students are responsible for following up with their individual faculty members as soon
as they are able to discuss possible arrangements for completing academic course requirements and
assignments missed during their absence. Because the staff in the Assistant Vice President/Dean of
Students’ Office does not verify/investigate the reason for the notification, students should be
prepared to provide documentation verifying the reason for their absence when/if requested by their
faculty. In addition the student should provide Health Services or Counseling Services with detailed
medical or psychological information for confidential review and storage. If the student is unable to
return they should contact the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students’ Office.
If the student needs assistance connecting with support services (i.e. tutoring services, writing
services, study skill enrichment etc.) once they have returned to the campus they may contact the
Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students’ Office for assistance.
Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students’ Office
ABSENCE NOTIFICATION REQUEST
__________________________________
Student Name
__________________________________
SCSU ID #
__________________________________
Student Phone Number
__________________________________
Student E-Mail Address
__________________________________
Date of Request
__________________________________
Date of Absences
__________________________________
Person Requesting (If Not Student)
__________________________________
Person Requesting Phone Number
Reason for Absence:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Comments:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Please Return Completed form to:
Southern Connecticut State University
Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students’ Office
Engelman A106
203-392-5556