I. Rationale for Attendance Policies
Studio art and design courses offer significant opportunities to complete coursework during class meetings with the help and guidance of the faculty. Each class meeting can build on the experience of the one before it. The fundamental nature of most art and design courses rely on student participation as an essential method for learning. If a student misses too many classes, he or she may miss a significant portion of any hand- on experience, as well as the skills and techniques taught that will be necessary in future courses. It is important to realize that even if excused, absences could impact the student’s academic performance because the student will not have the benefit of such things as full classroom interaction and the opportunity to ask questions while the material is being presented. Student contributions during class time constitute a significant component of the learning process. Students should not miss one class in order to do homework or study for another class. Some students mistakenly think this is prioritizing; in reality it is poor time management.
II. Overall Attendance Policy That Applies Irrespective of Major, Department, or Faculty of Record
Regular attendance in all classes is required. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain in class for the entire period scheduled. The responsibility for work missed due to any type of absence rests with the student. Tardiness, early departure or other time away from class in excess of 15 minutes per class session may be considered absence for that class session. Classes missed due to late registration are counted in the general absences permitted for the class.
In most cases, more than two absences in a course that meets once per week, or more than four absences in a course that meets twice per week will result in a grade of F. Regardless of meeting schedules, students who miss more than 13.3% of a course will fail the course, barring exceptional circumstances.
Documented exceptional circumstances include, but are not limited to: death in the family, serious medical conditions, hospitalization, observance of religious holidays, reasonable disability accommodations and other special/unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control. Numerous absences due to any reason including exceptional circumstances may warrant course withdrawal or failure.
Documentation must be submitted to Academic Advising within two weeks of the absence to be considered for excusing. Exceptional circumstances are determined on a case-by-case basis in an interactive process with the student, faculty of record, Department Head or Program Director of the course or other Ringling College professionals, as needed. Known circumstances, such as religious holidays should be discussed with the faculty of record in advance of the absence. Absences that are deemed exceptional will not affect the final grade.
For the courses being delivered online via Zoom, students are required to have their videocam on at all times, and the audio on when appropriate. As expected when attending a course in-person, students must be engaged, showing their entire face, and actively participating as appropriate during the scheduled class time. Students may wish to utilize an appropriate virtual background.
III. Attendance Policy Determined by Faculty of Record
At the determination of the Faculty of Record, other absences can carry a grade penalty on the final grade percentage up to:
- For courses that meet twice a week:
Two absences may drop a final course grade 5%.
Three absences may drop a final course grade up to 10%.
Four absences may drop a final course grade up to 20%.
Five or more absences will result in a failing grade. - For courses that meet once a week:
One absence may drop a final course grade up to 5%.
Two absences may drop a final course grade up to 10%.
Three or more absences will result in a failing grade.
Ringling College will make every effort to reasonably accommodate students’ disability related academic needs. However, neither the college nor an individual faculty member is required to waive essential or fundamental academic requirements of a course regardless of the nature of a student’s disability.
The complete policy is posted to the Ringling website http://www.ringling.edu/policies-and-procedures/