General Policy

A student must be registered for a class and on the official roster in order to attend. This includes students who are attending under audit status. (See Auditing Classes, p. 58.)

Attendance at and participation in all class sessions, except for times when students are absent for reasons beyond their control, is regarded as essential. Class activities are planned for the benefit of all students.

Classroom Demeanor

Students are expected to display classroom behavior that is appropriate to a Christian university. A professor may remove a student from a class if, in the professor's judgment, the student displays behavior that is uncivil, defiant, or otherwise disruptive to the classroom learning environment. Students dismissed from a class may not return to the class without the permission of the professor. Students may appeal any such removal by following the Academic Grievance process outlined in the Student Handbook.

Results of Failure to Attend Class

A grade of 'F' is given for any course in which a student has missed half or more of the class meetings, whether the absences are excused or unexcused, unless the student has completed withdrawal from the class before the stated deadline. An absence is recorded for each class missed by a student, including the first meeting of a class following registration, regardless of the reason for the absence. The responsibility for attending class rests with the student.

Excused Absences. Although the instructor is obligated to allow the student to make up for full credit work missed because of an excused absence, such credit is established only through the initiative of the student in accomplishing the work to the full satisfaction of the instructor. Prior notice is expected for any known activities which will interfere with class attendance.

Under the following circumstances an absence will be excused:

a. Death or serious illness in the immediate family.

b. Class field trips which are required as class assignments.

c. Club trips which are designated as educational in nature.

d. Trips sponsored or sanctioned by the University authorities as University business.

e. Trips required by Armed Services or the Veterans Administration.

f. Local emergencies requiring the immediate attention of certain students.

g. Other reasons which are acceptable to the instructor.

 

Absence due to illness of the student does not necessarily qualify as excused. Each instructor has the prerogative to establish policy on this issue; the policy is to be clearly stated at the beginning of the term.

Other absences are considered unexcused.

Unexcused Absences. Faculty members are neither obligated nor expected to permit a student to make up work missed because of unexcused absences, including unexcused absences for which no penalty is assessed in accordance with the attendance policy. If a student is allowed to make up such work, full credit may not be allowed.

The number of unexcused absences in a course may be used as a factor in determining a student's grade. It is the obligation of the instructor to explain the policy at the beginning of the course. If the student attends more than half of the class meetings and thus is eligible for credit, the attendance factor may not exceed 25 percent of the total grade basis in the course.

Non-Attendance Resulting in Withdrawal

Except in case of extenuating circumstances, students who do not attend any class for ten (10) consecutive days may be withdrawn from John Brown University for non-attendance. It is the responsibility of the student to contact instructors, advisor, Registrar's Office, Business Office, Financial Aid Office, and Student Development Office if extenuating circumstances exist. Courses will not be recorded if the withdrawal occurs before the sixth week of the semester. Students will have a grade of 'WP' (Withdrawn Passing) or 'WF' (Withdrawn Failing) recorded if they are withdrawn after the fifth week of the semester.

Chapel Attendance

Chapel is an essential part of fulfilling John Brown University's basic mission of providing a "Christ-centered higher education", and is therefore a requirement for all students. (See Student Handbook for chapel policy details.) The purpose of Chapel is to gather the University family in the context of worship to better know, love, and glorify God, to gain His perspective on our learning, and to grow together as a Christ-centered community while committing ourselves to serving in the world as Jesus' disciples. Chapel is not a replacement for participation in a local church, and students are encouraged to find a home church while at JBU. Students are also encouraged to take part in the various ministry and discipleship opportunities provided through the University Student Ministries Office.