Medical Excuse Policy

Student Health Services does not provide students with notes to take to their faculty confirming medical treatment. Developmental and privacy issues and the philosophy of the honor code inform this policy. Students are responsible for providing faculty the grounds for the absences, and for conforming to the attendance requirements of particular courses. Students, like the rest of us, are protected from having medical information released without their permission. At the time of treatment, students are encouraged to email their professors regarding their absence and “CC” us in the note. That allows us to confirm the visit and speak to faculty if requested. The paperwork requirements of contemporary health care and the FERPA / HIPPA privacy act are a significant impediment to our ability to produce written excuse notes for students.