Information on Student Illness Note Policy

Faculty & Staff Announcement

February 2008

TO:                  Undergraduate Students in the

                        Krieger and Whiting Schools

FROM:            Dean Susan K. Boswell

RE:                  ILLNESS NOTE POLICY

The Student Health & Wellness Center does not provide excuses for students who miss individual classes.  If a student is seen a the Health Center for a serious, extended illness that causes him or her to miss a significant number of classes or academic assignments, including mid-term examinations, the Center will notify the Dean of Student Life so that the student’s instructors and the appropriate academic advising office can be notified.

Since absence from a final examination is excused in only the most serious circumstances, the Health Center will provide confirmation of illness for those students who are seen at the Center for treatment at the time of the exam.

Students should be guided by the following:

-          If you need to miss class or are unable to complete your

course work due to illness, you should contact your instructor

IMMEDIATELY to make whatever arrangements that are

necessary to make up any work.

-          If you develop a significant illness that interferes with your

ability to meet your obligations, you should go to the Health

Center PROMPTLY, as well as contact the appropriate

academic advising office, which stands ready to assist you.

-          You should ask your instructors about expectations for class

attendance and procedures they will follow for students who

miss class or assignments.  Such are determined by each

instructor and will differ from class to class.

-          You are reminded that misrepresenting your personal circumstances to a member, student health and wellness center staff member, or any university official constitutes academic dishonesty and is grounds for action by the Academic Ethics Board.