Class Attendance Regulation

In accordance with Attendance Regulations outlined in REG 02.20.03, instructors at NC State are responsible for outlining attendance expectations in their syllabi and course materials. In the event that a student must miss class, students are expected to communicate with their instructor. The Absence Verification Process at NC State is designed to support instructors and students in the event of specific circumstances that warrant a student’s absence.

This process only applies to class absences. We are unable to provide academic accommodations or a change in course delivery. Students are expected to complete and and and all outstanding assignments as required for their course(s). 

The only mandated accommodations of an absence are for religious holy days (N.C.G.S. § 116-11(3a)) or when a student has a court order requiring attendance.

Anticipated and Unanticipated Absences

The University’s Attendance Regulation refers to absences in two broad categories: anticipated and unanticipated.

Anticipated Absences include events as mandated court appearances, required days of religious observance, and participation in an official university function. Because these are known in advance, instructors are to be informed well ahead of their occurrence so arrangements can be made.

Unanticipated Absences Include events as illness, the death of a family member, or a natural disaster. Once the event is known, communication with instructors as soon as possible is expected and in everyone’s best interest.

Submitting a Request

Make sure you take the following steps before submitting the Absence Verification Request Form.

1. Contact your instructor first. Provide an overview of your concerns in order to determine the next steps. Most cases are resolved by providing an explanation and discussing how you can make up missed work or tests. Most instructors work directly with the student, and involvement by a staff member to verify the absence isn’t needed
2. Read through the NC State Attendance Regulation. REG 02.20.03 provides information about the Absence Verification process. Contact staff within the Resiliency and Community Support unit in the Office of Student Life and Advocacy at absence-verification@ncsu.edu if you have questions.
3. Make sure your request falls under a designated category. There are four types of absences eligible for review under the Absence Verification Process as outlined in Absence Categories.
4. Review and process and relevant information.
   • Timeliness: Requests must be submitted within seven (7) days of a student’s return to class and must include appropriate documentation. Any request submitted after this timeline will be automatically denied.
   • Time Requested: If you plan to request more than two (2) weeks away, you may consider talking with your academic advisor about your options.
   • Supplemental Information: Upon your submission, you may be contacted to provide additional information. You will be required to do the time period established in that communication.
   • Decision: All decisions from the Absence Verification process are final. There is no appeal process or secondary review.
5. Prepare your materials. Each request must be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Missing or insufficient documentation will result in a delay and potentially a denial of a student’s request. More information and specific examples can be found under Absence Documentation.
6. Submit your request using the Absence Verification Request Form. Please note you will be required to log into the form using your Unity ID and password.

Absence Categories

As outlined in the Attendance Regulation, there are four categories of absences that can be reviewed and verified through this process:

• Medical (surgeries and hospitalizations)
• Death in the Immediate Family
• Military Orders
• Legal Obligations

For an absence not covered through the Absence Verification Process, students need to work with their instructor per the attendance regulation.

Religious Observances

If you plan to miss class for a religious holy day, you must submit a request through the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). If approved, you will receive a letter via email to give to your professor in order to be excused.

Absence Type	Covered under Absence Verification Process
A student is hospitalized (planned or unplanned)	Yes
A student has surgery (planned or unplanned)	Yes
Death in immediate family	Yes
Military Orders	Yes
Legal Obligations	Yes
A student has a cold, flu, COVID-19, etc.	No
A student has a scheduled doctor’s appointment	No
A student has a headache	No
Religious holy day	No (contact OEO)
Conferences, field trips, club sports, dance teams, NC State fair participation, volunteer work, 4-H participation, etc.	No
Travel	No
Weather	No
Work obligation(s)	No

Absence Documentation

For your request to be reviewed, documentation is necessary. Please review the information below to learn more about appropriate forms of documentation to include in your submission.

Examples of Appropriate Documentation

Absence Type	Appropriate Documentation
Medical (surgeries or hospitalizations)	Official doctor’s note, admitting or discharge information from facility
Death in immediate family	Obituary, notice of services, death certificate, funeral pamphlet
Legal Obligations	Subpoena, letter from attorney, copy of court date information
Military Orders	Official documentation from branch of service

Examples of Not Appropriate Documentation

• Photos or videos of bodily functions, ailments, and symptoms
• Photos or videos of thermometers, COVID tests, and/or medication
• Photos or videos of self or family member(s) in the hospital
• Photos or videos of funeral services
• Photos or videos of bodily injuries or rashes

Falsification or Alteration of Documentation

Any Absence Verification Request that contains falsified or altered documents will result in an automatic denial and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

Contact

For questions or concerns regarding the Absence Verification Process, contact Resiliency and Community Support at absence-verification@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1110.