Absences
At Belmont University, students are expected to take an active role in managing their attendance and communicating directly with faculty about any class absences; whether anticipated or unexpected, and regardless of duration. Each course syllabus outlines how absences are handled, and when in doubt, students should proactively reach out to their instructors for guidance.
We encourage students who will be absent for any reason to review the class attendance policy outlined in the course syllabus and discuss the absence directly with their professor.
If a student is unable to contact us due to a emergency or medical situation, a family member or other designated contact may reach out to Student Care and Support by phone or email. Our team can then notify the student’s faculty on their behalf. This notification is provided as a courtesy and does not serve as an official excuse for the absence.
Student Care & Support’s Philosophy of Care emphasizes student self-agency and personal responsibility. Outside of exceptional circumstances, students are expected to advocate for themselves and manage communication with faculty, staff, and employers directly. Belmont's Absence Policy can be found here.
Types of Absences
We encourage students who will be absent for any reason to review the class attendance policy outlined in the course syllabus and discuss the absence directly with their professor.
Students are responsible for speaking with their professors directly to make up missed work. Student Care & Support does not communicate with faculty on a student’s behalf to make arrangements.
We do not send notifications for planned absences such as job interviews, appointments, vacations, or weddings. Students should speak directly with faculty to plan ahead.
Only University sanctioned activities such as class sponsored events, student organization competitions, faculty led conferences or athletic contests qualify for a Provost excused class absence. Approval must originate from a sponsoring faculty or staff member in coordination with their dean, not from students directly. If a class absence is required due to such an activity, the sponsor must submit a detailed memorandum on official letterhead to the Provost at least two weeks before the event including participating students names and IDs, the type of event, and the full date range. If the Provost countersigns the memo, issuing a Provost Excuse, copies are distributed to students who then present it to their instructors for an excused absence and permission to make up missed work. Activities not University sanctioned such as internships, illness, family travel or non university events do not qualify.
If a student is unable to contact us due to a emergency or medical situation, a family member or other designated contact may reach out to Student Care & Support by phone or email. Our team can then notify the student’s faculty on their behalf. Even though a notification has been sent to faculty, this does not mean the absences is excused. That should be discussed with faculty.
Students recovering from a short term medical absences must contact Student Care & Support along with documentation from their healthcare provider. This documentation should include the date of the injury and the expected date the student can safely return to class. Depending on the longevity of the injury the student will either work with the Office of Accessibility Services or Student Care & Support.
A Leave of Absence status may be a suitable option for degree-seeking students who demonstrate a hardship or mitigating circumstances resulting in their inability to attend the next semester. Approval for a leave of absence status can only be granted prior to the first day of the semester. If after the start of the semester a student is unable to attend classes even for involuntary reasons, the student should officially withdraw from the university by completing a university withdrawal form.
Additional Information Regarding Absences
- A notification from Student Care does not excuse a student from class or override what’s written in a course syllabus. Only the faculty member can decide whether to excuse an absence. Student Care cannot excuse absences.
- Students are responsible for speaking with their professors directly to make up missed work. Student Care does not communicate with faculty on a student’s behalf to make arrangements.
- We do not send notifications for planned absences such as job interviews, appointments, vacations, or weddings. Students should speak directly with faculty to plan ahead.
- Student Health Services does not provide absence notes or excuse letters. If a student misses class because of a short-term illness, they should email their professors directly.
- In all cases, students are responsible for keeping up with coursework, whether or not the absence is excused.
- Student Care and Support is available to answer any questions students may have regarding any of the above information, when in doubt reach out!
Office Hours & Location
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Location: Beaman Student Life Center, Suite 200
Contact us:
Phone: 615.460.6407
Email: studentcare@belmont.edu or studentconcerns@belmont.edu