Course Attendance, Withdrawal, and Resignation Policy

Purpose

The University recognizes that student attendance and active participation in courses directly contribute to academic success. This policy establishes regulations and procedures for course attendance and participation, withdrawal from courses, and resignation from the University due to personal, medical, family, financial, or other reasons.

Class Attendance Regulations

Class attendance is both an obligation and a privilege. Students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are enrolled and must actively participate in course-related activities regardless of course delivery method (face-to-face or online), including:

• Reading and understanding the course syllabus
• Attending labs, class meetings, and lectures
• Submitting assignments
• Taking exams
• Completing interactive tutorials, webinars, study groups, and group projects
• Engaging with faculty for academic matters

Failure to comply with these expectations may result in academic consequences, including poor academic performance or suspension from the University.

Each faculty member must distribute no later than three days prior to classes begin a course syllabus that includes information about class attendance expectations and make-up policies. Students are responsible for compliance with course attendance and make-up policies outlined in the course syllabus.

Students are responsible for submitting valid documentation for excused absences within the timeframe specified in the syllabus. University-sanctioned absences require official documentation signed by either the senior vice president for student affairs (or their designee) or the provost and vice president for academic affairs (or their designee). Absences due to medical reasons may require verifiable documentation from a healthcare provider (see Medical Leave Policy for Students).

Students receiving federal financial aid should consult Student Central and review the Financial Aid section of the Academic Catalog to understand the impact of non-attendance, course withdrawal, or resignation from the University on their funding eligibility.

Class Attendance for Student-Athletes

Student-athletes at McNeese State University must meet the same academic standards as all undergraduate and graduate students. This policy minimizes conflicts between class and athletic schedules while ensuring the integrity of the academic process and supporting student-athletes’ participation in University-sanctioned competitions.

Guiding Principles

1. The athletics program minimizes class absences due to competition in accordance with NCAA and Southland Conference regulations. The faculty athletics representative (FAR) and director of student-athlete services coordinate with student-athletes, faculty, and coaching staff to resolve scheduling conflicts while upholding academic integrity.
2. The director of athletics and head coaches schedule competitions, practices, and meetings with academic obligations in mind; however, competitions beyond the normal season may occur with competition dates and times determined by entities outside the University. The University approves student-athlete excused absences for these competitions.
3. Student-athletes may not miss class for practice (NCAA Bylaw 17.1.6.6.1), including:
   • Preparation and conditioning (e.g., weight training, running)
   • Training room activities (e.g., rehabilitation, taping)
   • Meetings (including individual film review)
   • On-field practice
4. Faculty may not penalize student-athletes for missing class or deny the opportunity to make-up assignments due to scheduled competitions or travel.
5. Student-athletes should avoid conflicts with essential academic activities (e.g., clinicals, labs, field trips).
6. For home competitions, student-athletes may be excused from class in accordance with NCAA guidelines.
7. Faculty receive a semester competition calendar via email and additional notifications for excused absences due to travel or home competitions. Faculty must provide reasonable accommodations for make-up assignments, activities, or exams. Student-athletes should not miss more than 20% of scheduled class meetings (nine for MWF classes, six for TR classes, three for once-a-week classes) per semester due to competition. This excludes Southland Conference or NCAA championship play beyond the normal season. Exceptions require approval by the FAR and provost and vice president for academic affairs.
8. Authorized absences do not exempt student-athletes from class responsibilities. In cases of extended illness, injury, or emergency, the director of student-athlete services will notify faculty of anticipated absences. However, student-athletes remain responsible for making arrangements to complete coursework.
9. If team travel conflicts with final exams, student-athletes must coordinate with faculty for alternative exam times. If no alternative is available, the Office of E-Learning and Testing Services may proctor the exam.
10. Teams with a multi-year APR below 930 may not travel during finals week, except for championship play.

Student-athletes with concerns about the fair application of this policy should contact the FAR.

Student-Athlete and Faculty Responsibilities

1. Student-athletes must review syllabi, identify conflicts, and coordinate with faculty to determine the expectations for make-up work.
2. Faculty must provide reasonable accommodations for missed quizzes, exams, or assignments, without unfairly advantaging or disadvantaging student-athletes. Faculty may use the Office of E-Learning and Testing Services for proctoring.
3. If faculty determine that projected absences would significantly hinder academic success, they may recommend enrolling in another course with fewer conflicts. Faculty and students should work together to resolve issues.
4. If an unavoidable conflict with core academic activities arises, student-athletes must contact their academic advisor and the director of student-athlete services immediately.

For further guidance, student-athletes should contact the FAR or director of student-athlete services.

Student Participation in University-Sanctioned Events

Students participating in University-sanctioned events—such as debate, discipline-specific competitions, and band—must provide official documentation explaining the event’s purpose. This documentation must be signed by either the senior vice president for student affairs (or their designee) or the provost and vice president for academic affairs (or their designee) before the absence occurs.

Faculty must provide reasonable accommodations for missed quizzes, exams, or assignments, without unfairly advantaging or disadvantaging any student participating in University-sanctioned events for which the student presents an official excuse for absence. Faculty may use the Office of E-Learning and Testing Services for proctoring.

Withdrawal from Courses and Resignation from the University

Definitions

• Course Withdrawal: A student withdraws from one or more courses while remaining enrolled in at least one course during a semester or summer session.
• Resignation: A student withdraws from all courses, effectively resigning from the University.

Procedures

The deadline for withdrawing from a course or resigning from the University is published in the University’s academic calendar.

• Students may withdraw from courses through Banner Self-Service until the published deadline.
• Student-athletes and international students on F-1 or J-1 visas must obtain approval before withdrawal.
• A grade of WZ is assigned for each course withdrawal.
• A grade of W is assigned to all courses for resignations, but any previously assigned WZ grades remain unchanged.
• Students with registration holds must resolve them before withdrawing.
• High school dual enrollment students must contact their high school counselor or the Office of the Registrar and Admissions for withdrawal assistance.

Fees and Financial Implications

• A $50 withdrawal fee is assessed per withdrawn course, automatically charged when a WZ or WN grade is assigned.
• The withdrawal fee is not charged for:
  • Resignation from the University (W grades)
  • Withdrawals due to military activation (W grades)
  • Administrative withdrawals (W grades)
  • Linked lab section withdrawals with no assigned grade
• Students who stop attending classes and intend to withdraw or resign but do not follow proper procedures may receive grades of F, I, or WN.
• Retroactive withdrawals after a semester ends may be granted only through a student appeal process. Appeals must be submitted to Student Central with a non-refundable processing fee.

Withdrawal from Courses for Non-Attendance

If a student is absent for more than 10% of class meetings with unexcused absences, faculty may assign a WN (withdrawal for non-attendance) as a final grade. If total absences (excused and unexcused) exceed 40%, faculty may also assign a WN.

Faculty Responsibilities

• Faculty choosing to implement this WN policy must clearly state so in their course syllabus.
• The course syllabus must be distributed during the first week of classes.
• Students are responsible for monitoring their own attendance and discussing absences with faculty.
• A WN grade may be assigned even if the student has completed other coursework in the class.

Fees and Financial Considerations

• A $50 course withdrawal fee applies to each WN grade assigned.
• Students receiving federal financial aid should consult Student Central to determine how non-attendance withdrawals may impact their funding, TOPS eligibility, private insurance, tax status, or other financial assistance.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the Academic Advisory Council, Division of Athletics, University Policies webpage, and the Academic Catalog.