Dean’s Excuses

A Dean’s Excuse is essentially an official note indicating a student’s circumstance warrants giving special consideration to how that student is graded when it comes to an absence(s), or to an extension on an assignment.

Common Circumstances

Dean’s excuses are given for extenuating circumstances such as the following:

• Bereavement
• Reports of sexual misconduct, dating misconduct, domestic violence, or stalking (SMDVS)
• Other family emergencies (e.g., fire, flood, terminal illness)
• Observance of religious holidays and/or practices (e.g., fasting), in which we strongly encourage students to communicate their need to miss classes for these holidays directly with their professors

When Deans are working with students in these circumstances, they will often reach out to faculty member(s) to let them know that a student has missed or will miss class on a specific date(s). Sometimes the student may be instructed by a Dean to write the faculty member(s) and copy the Dean on the email indicating that a Dean’s Excuse is being offered for an absence. The Dean will then reply to confirm the excuse. Sometimes the Dean or student will ask faculty if it is acceptable for the student to hand in work later because of the situation. Keep in mind, Deans are attempting to support and coach students for the world after college, so they want to empower and assist students with learning how to communicate for themselves as appropriate. Deans, ideally, are not doing everything for students.

Dean’s Excuses may have varying levels of detail about the circumstances that precipitated the excuse based on the nature of the situation and/or a student’s request for privacy. All students who are granted excuses are encouraged to communicate directly with their faculty to share, as they are able/interested, and to negotiate the particulars of any requested accommodations or changes to course expectations.

Other Absences

Because Dean’s Excuses are reserved for only the most emergent circumstances, there are many examples when students have valid explanations/reasons for missing class (e.g., athletics, conference presentation, job interviews for seniors, etc.) which do not meet the criteria for a Dean’s Excuse. Communicating such “explained absences” to faculty members is the responsibility of individual students. Ultimately, explained absences are simply that—explainable reasons to miss class—and it’s up to faculty to work with students as to what happens and how grades will be affected or calculated. Please see the handbook section for absences for athletic events.

Similarly, absences due to short-term common illnesses (such as COVID-19, stomach bugs, the flu and flu-like symptoms) do not meet the criteria for Dean’s Excuses. Everyone, including faculty and staff, periodically needs to miss class/work for such circumstances. Even if students are sick with a fever or have a “note” from a medical provider to rest, common illnesses do not warrant a Dean’s Excuse, nor does a Dean need to determine if the absence is valid (or not). Students requesting excused absences for health-related reasons outside of short-term common illnesses can request a Temporary Medical Leave through the Center for Health and Wellness. Students who are requesting excused absences due to long term health need should be referred to the Disability Resource Center to learn more about academic accommodations. Deans do not offer Dean’s Excuses for mental or physical health concerns that fall under the purview of the Disability Resource Center.

If you have concerns about a student’s academic progress related to absences unassociated with a Dean’s Excuse, you can create a CARE Report for a General Student Concern or issue a Course Alert, as appropriate.

Please make sure your syllabi reflect your expectations and policy for dealing with excused and unexcused absences outside of Dean’s Excuses. Additionally, please do not include language on your syllabus that states that the only excused absences are those that are accompanied by a Dean’s Excuse. Not only is this an unrealistic expectation, but we do not want to encourage or unintentionally coerce students to attend class when they have a fever or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.