SCCC Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is considered essential for academic success. Students are expected to attend every class session, no matter the modality, of each course for which they are registered. Excessive absences may have a negative impact on a student’s academic performance and/or eligibility for financial aid.

The college defines attendance in online courses as regular participation in course-related activities, which may include, but is not limited to: 

Logging into an online class is not sufficient, by itself, to demonstrate attendance or participation by the student.

Students absent from a class for any reason are responsible for any missed work and any other relevant requirements stated in the course syllabus. In the event that a student is absent, it is always recommended that the student contact the instructor to discuss missed work and class content.

Federal financial aid regulations require the college to report a student’s last date of attendance for each course; in most cases faculty will be asked to confirm this date. Consequently, faculty must take attendance at each class meeting.


Class Attendance Policy

In this course, I follow the college policy for attendance, which is allowing for a minimum of one week's worth of absences including absences due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances. (For example, if a class meets twice a week in a 15-week term, a student must be entitled to at least two absences. The equivalent of one week may differ depending on the length of the term.)

Because you are allowed two “absences” for the semester, in our online class this means you can submit two assignments late (outside of the assigned week)—with no questions asked and no impact on your grade. Use the class schedule above to keep up with our class. Beyond the two allowed absences, contact me if you need to work something out regarding any other absences, preferably ahead of time so I can better help you.

Class Lateness Policy

Due to the collaborative nature of our online classroom, your timely completion of assignments and participation in all aspects of the course is critical to the success of our class. If something is causing you to be late in terms of regular participation and submission of coursework, let’s talk so we can work out a solution.


SCCC Religious Observance Policy

In addition, you should know the college policy on religious observance:

In accordance with New York State Education Law §224-a, any student who is unable, because of religious beliefs, to register or attend classes on a particular day or days will be excused from any examination, study, or work requirements [scheduled on that day]. It is the responsibility of the faculty to make available [to the student] an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements within a reasonable amount of time of the religious observance. It is the responsibility of students to notify their professor at least one week prior to the religious observance, via their College email accounts or otherwise in writing, of their intention to be absent from class.


Please refer to the college’s Religious Observance Policy, which is available on the Office of Legal Affairs website, for additional information.