Absence Verification
Beginning in the Fall semester of 2020, K-State has adopted an official excused absence policy. The official policy can be found in section F62 of the University Handbook.
Some types of excused absences can be verified through the Office of Student Life with submission of appropriate documentation. Outlined below are the types of documentation accepted for each type of absence, and information on how to submit the documentation to our office for verification.
Other absences may not be included under the excused absence policy, but can be verified through the Office of Student Life, per the section of the policy which outlines absences at the instructors discretion. These types of absences may include illness, medical appointment, attending a funeral, etc.
Students who are unable to document an absence, or have a type of absence not mentioned previously should email or call our office to consult. We understand many students have absences from classes for many reasons, and we work to advocate for students to faculty regarding circumstances whenever possible.
If you have questions about an absence, please email or call our office at stulife@ksu.edu or 785-532-6432. Our email account is monitored Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm.
COVID-19
For all COVID-19 related concerns, including testing positive, being in close contact with someone who has tested positive, or living with someone who has tested positive, waiting for results from a COVID-19 test, or quarantine after recent travel, please visit our COVID-19 absence page.
Military Service
Students performing required National Guard or other United States military service obligations qualify for a University Excused Absence when those obligations require the student to miss class. In cases of annual training or active duty for more than two weeks, the student shall coordinate with their instructors, advisor, and the Office of Student Life well in advance of such absences, in close temporal proximity to when the student receives the military orders. For more information, see k-state.edu/nontrad/contactus.
Appropriate documentation may include: a copy of military orders which includes dates of absences.
Court Appearances
Students may request a University Excused Absence through the Office of Student Life when the absence is necessary because of a mandated court appearance or other lawfully mandated appearance. The Office of Student Life will evaluate the request and determine whether to approve. Instructors are required to adhere to attendance accommodations that are approved by Office of Student Life.
Appropriate documentation may include: letter from the courts indicating dates of jury duty service, subpoena, complaint, arrest warrant, summons, notice to appear, etc, with date of absence.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, or Adoption
Students may request a University Excused Absence through the Office of Student Life when the absence is related to pregnancy, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, or adoption. The Office of Student Life, in accordance with applicable laws, will evaluate the request and determine whether to approve. Instructors are required to adhere to attendance accommodations for students that are approved by the Office of Student Life.
Appropriate documentation may include: copy of birth announcement provided by the hospital, letter from a doctor, which includes the date of hospital admission, adoption, etc. For situations in which documentation is not able to be released, additional considerations can be made by scheduling an appointment with OSL staff.
Religious Observance
Students may request through the Office of Student Life a University Excused Absence to accommodate their religious observances for a sincerely held religious belief in circumstances where class attendance would interfere with the students’ ability to practice their religion. The Office of Student Life will evaluate the request and determine whether to approve, in accordance with applicable laws. This means that in evaluating the request, the Office of Student Life will balance the attendance requirement’s burden on the student’s practice of sincerely-held religious beliefs against any hardship to the University caused by the student’s absence. Instructors are required to adhere to attendance accommodations that are approved by the Office of Student Life.
Appropriate documentation may include: a letter from a religious leader which includes confirmation of attendance at the religious ceremony, including the date of absence.
Weather
The University may cancel classes due to severe weather and will make this known through inclement weather announcements. Absences resulting from cancelled classes and campus closure are University Excused Absences. The Office of Student Life encourages students to email their faculty directly regarding weather-related absences.
