On Campus Attendance and Participation
CLASS PARTICIPATION
In keeping with AIU’s mission of providing students with a quality education, classroom participation is extremely important. Since many of the classes are taught in lab, studio, and hands-on formats including projects, presentations, and student involvement, class participation is an integral part of the student’s grade. All students are encouraged to carefully read their class syllabi and consult with their instructors and/or Program Chair.
New students must participate beyond the first week of their academic program to remain enrolled in the University. New students who do not participate in class and register attendance beyond the first week of their first course will have their enrollment canceled by the University.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
AIU courses emphasize group interaction in the classroom and rely on the collaborative effort and shared expertise of peers. Prompt arrival at each scheduled in-class session is mandatory. Absent students do not gain the benefit of class involvement, nor do they contribute to the learning of other students in the class. Consistently late students also disrupt the flow of educational activities.
Attendance at all scheduled class sessions is required of each student. Scheduled class sessions will be noted in the syllabus; and each student is expected to be present, on time, and prepared for each class session. Class attendance records will be maintained by each instructor. In addition, a percentage of the student’s grade may be determined by class participation.
Occasional circumstances may arise that cause students to miss a class session or to arrive late for a class session. Students should refer to the course syllabus for instructor policies related to class attendance/participation.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The goal of AIU is to provide students with learning experiences that will assist them in achieving their goals of a degree and a career. Students are expected to perform as professionals in their respective fields which includes reporting to work regularly, on time, and prepared to contribute.
• New students must participate beyond the first week of their academic program to remain enrolled in the university. New students who do not participate in class and register attendance beyond the first week of their first course will have their enrollment canceled by the institution.
• Continuing students who register during the drop/add week may be subject to a late registration fee if they have not registered prior to this period.
• Students are expected to communicate with the respective faculty, in advance, when an absence will occur. It is at the discretion of the faculty member to accept late assignments or to allow make-up work due to absences. To this end, each course syllabus clearly delineates expectations regarding absence notification of faculty by students, class participation and acceptance of late work.
• Late arrivals (tardies) or early departures from classes may be counted, on a prorated basis, in course absences. The instructor must identify how these absences will be counted in the course.
• As learning cannot take place when the student is absent, the University does not differentiate between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. A student is either in attendance or absent. However, students are encouraged to contact faculty prior to any absence.
• Students are responsible for any missed work when absent. In addition, the student is expected to be prepared for class upon his/her return.
• Students who stop attending a class without officially withdrawing are considered in violation of the attendance policy and will receive the appropriate grade, which may include a grade of “F.”
• At the discretion of the respective faculty member, class participation, not attendance, may be included in the course grade. However, students who are absent from class will typically have lower participation grades, as a student cannot contribute to the learning environment when absent.
CAMPUS ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
Students who violate the attendance policy will be withdrawn. To avoid being administratively withdrawn, contact your campus Director of Student Experience and provide your name, Student ID, and the course you will miss, prior to missing class.
The following steps are taken once a student is administratively withdrawn:
• The student’s Financial Aid lender will be notified the student is no longer active at AIU. (This may have consequences regarding loan deferment and repayment schedules).
• The student’s AIU email account will be deactivated.
• The student’s internet access provided by AIU (at the campus) will be deactivated.
• The student will not be allowed to re-enter until the following term.
• If a student is allowed to re-enter after being withdrawn they must retake all of the classes from which they were withdrawn and pay for them again.
• If the student is an International student, their F-1 status may be considered out of status.