Frequently Asked Questions

Excused Absences

Some types of excused absences can be verified through Student Support & Accountability. These absences include military service, court appearances, pregnancy, childbirth, or adoption, religious observances, specialist appointments, and severe health concerns, including hospitalization.

Excused absences related to disability reasonable accommodations are verified through the Student Access Center.

Excused absences related to extra-curricular activities as a representative of the university are verified through the sponsoring department or organization.

Excused absences related to weather and special programming and events are handled through university wide announcements.

All absences mentioned above, when verified through the designated office or entity, require instructors to adhere to attendance accommodations.

Verified Absences

Per the policy, K-State recognizes students may miss class for other reasons and other absences may be in the best interest of students' academic and professional development. On a case-by-case basis, instructors are encouraged to allow students to make up graded work from an absence.

Students are not required to verify short-term absences through Student Support & Accountability.

Typically absences related to short-term illnesses, funerals, minor accidents, emergency situations, etc. fall under this category. Student Support & Accountability encourages students to work directly with faculty on these absences. In the event a student's circumstances or absences become more complex or extended, students are encouraged to work directly with Student Support & Accountability to verify the circumstances and get support in communicating with faculty about the situation. Upon receipt of a verified absence notice, instructors are encouraged to consider allowing students to make up graded work from these absences.

Other Absences

Any other absences which do not fall under the above listed categories are entirely at the instructors discretion to accommodate. These absences may include family vacations, job interviews, weddings, or other non-academic travel. Students are encouraged to work directly with faculty on these types of absences but faculty are not required to provide any adjustments.

We encourage all students to follow up with faculty directly to discuss next steps regarding their absence. When approached by the student, faculty should be willing to respond in a timely manner with clear instructions on how the absence will be handled, including any relevant information about new deadlines for missed work, if appropriate.

We discuss expectations with students, too, to check their syllabus for course policies which may already be outlined, contacting faculty in their preferred method (Canvas, email, office hours) and to follow up quickly.

Excused absences at K-State are limited to Extra-Curricular Activities as a Representative of the University, military service, court appearances, Disability Reasonable Accommodations, pregnancy, childbirth or adoption, religious observances, specialist appointments, severe health concerns, including hospitalization, weather, and special programming and events.

If students have an absence in one of the above listed categories, and it has been verified through the proper source, instructors shall provide the opportunity to either make up or excuse, at the instructor’s discretion, any missed assignments, activities, and/or attendance-specific points that contribute to the course grade. Students can read more about the policy in section F62 of the University Handbook.