This note serves as an annual reminder of the standard CLAS instructor and student absence policies that are in effect for the academic year 2023-24.

Instructor Absences

Please note the CLAS instructor absence policies, which also apply to graduate student instructors as well: 

• Instructors should arrange for coverage of teaching and office hours obligations during a brief illness or when a short absence from the classroom needs to occur. 
• The DEO and course supervisor (where appropriate) should always be informed of any absence affecting teaching right away. 
  • In the case of travel, instructors should be reminded to submit the travel form for approval before the travel is arranged. 
  • Additionally, DEOs should encourage faculty to designate a colleague who is willing to assume their teaching responsibilities in an emergency or absence.

While we have learned that there are new ways to cover a course when the instructor needs to be away (i.e., using Zoom), an instructional modality change from in-person to online for more than one or two class periods is not permitted. 

Ideas for handling these emergency absences include the following: utilizing a guest instructor to lecture; leading discussion or small group work; utilizing a guest speaker in the classroom; or having the instructor or guest speaker lecture via Zoom with a TA or colleague present.

More information on this topic may be found on this page and in the UI Operations Manual, 22.3.

Student Attendance and Absence Policies

During the fall 2023 semester, instructors should use the CLAS standard attendance and absence guidance summarized below if students need to be absent from class.

• Attendance
• Absence Form for Students
• Absences
  • From Scheduled Exams
  • Short-term Illness and Mental Health
  • University-Sponsored Activities
  • Religious Holy Days
  • Military Service Obligations
  • Unavoidable Circumstances and Longer Time Periods

Please remember that students with short-term illness or mental health concerns are encouraged to seek care as needed. Because medical documentation is not generally available for these short-term absences, instructors should not ask for medical documentation and should consider using one of the strategies on this webpage for these situations.

If a faculty member, staff, or student tests positive for COVID-19, it is still important to follow the self-isolation instructions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions if you are at high risk of illness.