It is the student’s professional responsibility to attend and to be on time for all scheduled lectures, clinics, laboratories, seminars, case presentations, small-group sessions, rotations, and scheduled faculty appointments. Attendance is considered a measure of a student's professional conduct. If an absence is determined to be excused by the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students, the student may be eligible to make up the quiz, examination, clinical case, or assignment. However, this is not always possible. Course directors may deem certain types of assignments not eligible for makeup. This will be outlined in the course syllabus and will be verbalized in class.
Excused absences may be granted by the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students for the following reasons:
- Medical necessity: illness of the student or immediate family member (Mild symptoms including but not limited to headache, migraine and dysmenorrhea are not considered excused absences unless a document from a medical professional is provided).
- Death in the family: the passing of an immediate family member (Parent(s), Sibling(s), Grandparent(s), and Significant Other).
- Professional activities: Professional meetings and research conferences upon approval from the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students.
- Externships (D3/D4): must be preauthorized by the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students.
- Special circumstances/other: including vehicle accidents, court appearances, participation in immediate family weddings [Parent(s), Sibling(s) and Grandparent(s)], approved religious observances, and other qualifying absences as approved by the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students.
- All other absences are considered unexcused.
Students who are aware of an upcoming absence must notify the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students in advance and complete the required leave of absence form. For unexpected absences, students must notify the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students within 24 hours of the student’s return to campus. Failure to follow the 24-hour protocol will result in the absence being considered unexcused. For additional details, refer to the LMU University Leave of Absence Policy. https://lmu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZy1N8SxG2wtDx4
All requests for excused absences must be supported by appropriate documentation. Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to, a physician’s note or medical certificate, obituary or funeral notice, court or jury duty documentation, conference registration or program materials, official University or professional correspondence, and emergency or incident reports. Failure to provide complete and appropriate documentation may result in denial of the request.
Approval of an excused absence does not guarantee the opportunity to make up missed work. The format and availability of make-up assignments, quiz, exam clinical cases or assessments are at the discretion of the course director, as outlined in the course syllabus. Students are required to communicate with the course director or exam coordinator within 24 hours of returning to campus to arrange any approved make-up session, and all make-up work must be completed within five (5) working days of the student’s return. The make-up will be administrated on a day the University is open, during LMU-CDM hours.