Dean's Absence Verification

Each faculty member establishes and maintains attendance requirements in their own courses and is required to inform students of these requirements in the course syllabus. Students are expected to communicate with their faculty members as soon as possible if/when they miss class.

What is a Dean’s Absence Verification?

A dean’s absence verification is a letter from the Office of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs that notifies faculty when a student had a legitimate reason for missing class. If granted and accepted, students should work with their faculty member(s) to determine a plan to complete missed work.

Please note absence verifications cannot override the allowed amount of absences designated by the respective faculty member. If absences exceed faculty attendance policies, faculty may request a formal Dean’s Review to assess the student’s performance.

Dean’s Absence Verifications can be provided for:

  • Active Conference Participation
  • Religious Accommodations (reviewed by Religious and Spiritual Life)
  • Severe Physical/Mental Illness or Injury (processed through Bailey Health or the Counseling Center)
  • Emergency (e.g., bereavement, personal, family-related) that prevents the student from attending classes, exams, and/or labs.
  • Athletics (i.e., individual or club-related on a case-by-case basis). Students participating in intercollegiate athletics receive a participation letter from the Department of Athletics (please see “What about other circumstances that may prevent me from participating in class?”)

Dean's Absence Verification FAQs

How do I request a Dean’s Absence Verification?

Use this form to request your Dean’s Absence Verification

I am not feeling well. What should I do?

  • If you are unwell, you should visit Bailey Health Center or the Counseling Center. However, dean’s absence verifications will only be provided in severe circumstances.
  • Severity is defined as surgery, hospitalization or complications from illness requirign absences greater than 3 days.
  • In cases of minor illness (e.g., cough, headache, etc.) students should not request and will not be issued an absence verification; faculty members have the authority of excusing a student for absences if they so choose, but verification from the Dean’s Office cannot be required.

How many Dean's Absence Verificiations can I receive?

A student can receive as many dean’s absence verifications that they are eligible to receive. However, please note absence verifications cannot override the allowed amount of absences designated by the respective faculty member. If absences exceed faculty attendance policies, faculty may request a formal Dean’s Review to assess the student’s performance.

How many days of class can I miss?

Each faculty member establishes and maintains attendance requirements in their own courses and is required to inform students of these requirements in the course syllabus.

What if I need to miss class for another reason outside of the categories listed? 

Course attendance is expected. Students are expected to communicate with their faculty members as soon as possible if/when they miss class.

Can I get a Dean’s Absence Verification for a class I missed more than a week ago?

Students should not expect for Dean’s Absence Verifications to be given retroactively, but late requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

What about other circumstances that may prevent me from participating in class?

  • Students participating in recognized intercollegiate athletics will receive a participation letter from the Department of Athletics to give to their faculty members. Participation letters excuse student athletes from class when participating in intercollegiate competitions and related travel. Student athletes must work with their faculty members at the beginning of the semester to discuss the approved absences and develop a plan for coursework (including labs, quizzes, and exams as applicable).
  • Students participating in official class trips/programs may receive a notification letter from the lead faculty member and/or advisor. However, these letters are not considered verified absences.
  • Students who feel they need or may be entitled to accommodations related to class attendance should contact Accessibility Services.  Any request for an accommodation related to class attendance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Accessibility Services following their office processes and procedures.
  • Students who have experienced any form of bias, harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, quid pro quo, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and/or domestic violence), supportive measures, including concerns about class attendance, should be discussed directly with the College’s Director of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator, Karen A. Salvemini.  The Director of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator can be contacted at salvemik@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5649.

If I have questions, who should I reach out to?

All Dean’s Absence Verifications are processed through the Dean of Advising Office. Some verification requests are reviewed by other offices based on the nature of the request. Those reasons and the offices who review them are listed above.