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Excused Absences

A student shall not be academically penalized for an excused absence. An excused absence shall not, by itself, result in a grade reduction or other punitive academic consequence. The Instructor of Record may require appropriate verification*, applied consistently across all categories of excused absences. 

Excused absences include, but are not limited to:

  • Significant physical or mental illness of the student or a member of the student’s immediate family or household
  • University- or government-directed quarantine or isolation
  • Death of an immediate family or household member
  • Participation in University-sponsored academic, athletic or co-curricular activities
  • Observance of major religious holidays
  • Interviews for post-graduation employment or graduate/professional school
  • Military obligations
  • Any other circumstances in which the Instructor of Record finds reasonable cause for absence

Verification standards must be applied consistently for all types of absences. Documentation from University Health Services, the Counseling Center, Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support (TRACS) or the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center shall be accepted when verification of a significant illness is required. Documentation from medical facilities outside of UK should also be accepted. Falsified attendance verification documents should be referred to the Office of Student Conduct

Unexcused Absences

The Instructor of Record shall define any course policy relating to unexcused absences in the course syllabus. If no policy regarding unexcused absences is stated in the course syllabus, or if the stated policy does not permit a penalty, the Instructor of Record shall not penalize the student for the unexcused absence.

*With respect to non-attendance for reason of an employment-related schedule conflict, a student who is a UK employee has the same standing as a student who is working for some other employer.