Absenteeism Policy - Students and/or Service Providers
Drexel University is committed to equal access to its programs and activities for its students, employees, and campus guests. In order to facilitate auxiliary aids, accommodations, and services in an effective manner, the Office of Disability Services (ODS) has in place absenteeism policies and procedures for both the individual who is receiving a service provider as a reasonable accommodation, and for the service provider. For additional information regarding absenteeism, select one of the links below:
Student Absences
Students with disabilities are required to abide by the same attendance
policies for each course/program, as any other student, unless the absence is
directly related to the disability and documented in the Office of Disability
Services. When students are absent from a class, meeting, or event for reasons
unrelated to their disability, students with disabilities do not receive accommodations.
Service Providers and note-takers will not provide services when students are absent for reasons unrelated to their disability. In the event an absence is related to the disability, students with disabilities need to document the need for the absence to ODS, be approved to use the accommodation, and have shared their Accommodation Verification Letter (AVL) with their faculty.
When students know they will be absent from a course, they need to contact ODS at least 48 hours before the absence. Service Providers secured by Drexel University are professionals and often travel some distance to provide accommodations for students with disabilities. ODS is responsible for contacting Service Providers when their services are not necessary due to a student’s absence. Note-takers or ODS will not provide copies of notes when students do not attend, unless for reasons noted above.
The Student Absence Form is available on-line and needs to be completed when a student is absent from class. Both students and Service Providers will use this form to provide notification of a student’s absence in a course/event.
When Service Providers arrive to provide the accommodation and the student is not present, they are instructed to wait for 20 minutes. If a student does not arrive, the Service Provider is required to complete a Service Provider Absenteeism Form in ODS, or on-line, within 24 hours of the absence. If ODS knows the student will be late for a class for an excused and reasonable reason, Service Providers will be instructed to stay for the entire course.
Unexcused Absences
Failure to provide notice will result in the following actions:
First Absenteeism
A letter or email will be sent to remind the student of the policy and appropriate procedures.
Second Absenteeism
A letter or email will be sent to the student informing the student of the
two absences. In addition, the letter will remind the student of the policy
and appropriate procedures.
Third Absenteeism
Services will automatically be temporarily suspended, and a letter or e-mail
will be sent to the student informing her/him of the policy and the appropriate
procedure. Services will remain suspended until the student makes an appointment
and meets with ODS to discuss reinstating services.
For Each Subsequent Absenteeism
Services will automatically be suspended and a letter or e-mail will be sent to the student informing the student of the policy and the appropriate procedures. The services will remain suspended until the student makes an appointment and meets with a staff member in ODS.
Service Provider Absences
In the event a service provider does not arrive to the class, is late, or leaves early, students are required to complete a Service Provider Absenteeism Form within 24 hours of the absence. Service Providers are expected to remain in the classroom during the entire period. In the event a Service Provider is absent any part of class and another Service Provider is not available, the class period will be audio-taped and a transcription provided to the student as soon as possible.