My attendance policy is based around two principles: respect and communication. As your instructor, I will do my best to respect the time and effort you put into this class by ensuring every class period includes useful new materials or useful time spent on your projects. In exchange, I expect you to respect my time by attending class, being on time, being present and engaged, and asking generative questions. However, as I’m aware that life can bring unexpected bumps and twists, my official attendance policy is:
As long as you are open and communicative with me about the circumstances of an absence, I will be able to work with you if you need to miss class, and it will not negatively impact your grade.
Bear in mind that this is an in-person course and that there will be some activities and assignments that can only be done during class time. If you need to miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to reach out and find out what you have missed, either to your colleagues in the class or to me.
As I said above, I am aware that life brings unexpected turns. Above all the principle I want to impart in this course is that we are humans first and students second. Part of being human means taking care of our bodies and minds so that we are able to learn and grow, and this means taking care of ourselves in a hectic and often punishing world. As long as you communicate with me, I will work with you, and if you do me the same respect, you will get what you need from this course.
Lee W. Hibbard, Ph.D. 