POLICY
The Health Center will not provide notes to excuse absences for students missing class due to their visit to the Health Center, or to excuse class absences due to most common illnesses. The Health Center will also not provide notes to excuse absences for medical conditions which were not treated at the Health Center. If, in the judgment of the medical professional, the student will be out of class for an extended period of time due to a serious illness or medical condition, the Health Center will provide a note to that effect. Examples of serious illnesses or medical conditions may include but are not limited to:
- Mononucleosis, which requires bed rest and/or removal from campus
- Hospitalization and/or surgery
- Severe injury requiring bed rest
- Severe flu and/or dehydration requiring bed rest
- Highly contagious diseases (chicken pox, measles)
PURPOSE
The purpose of the policy is to eliminate unnecessary visits from students who make appointments for the sole purpose of obtaining class absence notes for their professors. Some illnesses may legitimately prevent a student from attending classes, but are not serious enough to require evaluation and treatment from the health care professionals in the Health Center. Students often provide self care, which is very appropriate for many common illnesses such as a cold, viral infection, or uncomplicated flu.
