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Attendance and Leave of Absence Policy
What counts as attendance in an online program, what happens if you stop taking part, and how to request a leave of absence.
Purpose
Windsor University delivers its programs online, and the Hybrid MBA and some ESL classes also include in-residence sessions at our Washington, DC location. Regular participation is required so that students can achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of their program.
What Counts as Attendance
Attendance is academic activity recorded in the Moodle Student Portal. Academic activity is: submitting a graded assignment or quiz; posting in a graded discussion; attending a live session or viewing its recording; completing a required module; or meeting with an instructor or with Student Affairs. Logging in alone is not academic activity. A student's last date of academic activity is used to set the withdrawal date for refund purposes, as stated in the Refund Policy.
Required Participation
| Program | Minimum participation |
|---|---|
| MBA, Accelerated MBA and career diplomas (online) | At least one academic activity in every two-week period. Live sessions are encouraged but not required; viewing the recording counts as participation. |
| Hybrid MBA | The online requirement above, and attendance at no less than 80% of the scheduled in-residence sessions |
| ESL, fully online | Attendance at no less than 70% of live sessions, to build speaking, listening and pronunciation skills, plus the required online activities |
| ESL, hybrid or in-residence | Attendance at no less than 80% of the scheduled in-residence classes; attendance is taken at each session |
An absence may be excused when the student tells Student Affairs and gives supporting documents, for example for a medical condition, a personal or family emergency, or another documented hardship.
Monitoring and Records
Student Affairs reviews activity records every week. The University keeps attendance records, and every notice sent under this policy, in the student's file for five years after the student's graduation, withdrawal or termination.
When a Student Does Not Take Part
| Days without academic activity | What the University does |
|---|---|
| 7 days | Sends an email reminder |
| 14 days | Sends a written warning that continued non-participation will lead to probation or termination, and explains how to request a leave of absence or an extension |
| 21 days | May terminate the enrollment, and sends written notice of the termination date and of how to request reinstatement |
The University sends each notice to the student's University email and personal email, and records the date and address of each notice.
Leave of Absence: Who May Ask and Why
A student in good standing may ask for a leave of absence for one of these reasons: a serious illness, injury or mental health condition; a family emergency, such as a death, an illness or caregiving duties for an immediate family member; military service; a work reassignment or travel required by an employer that prevents study; or another significant personal hardship. The University decides whether the documents support the reason.
How to Request a Leave
Send a written request to Student Affairs at [email protected] before the leave begins. State the reason and the length of the leave, and attach supporting documents. The University decides in writing. The leave begins only when the University approves the request in writing, and not before.
If unforeseen circumstances stopped the student from asking in advance, the University may approve the leave afterwards. The student must then give the written request, the reason, and documents showing that the leave could not have been requested earlier. The leave cannot begin earlier than the date those circumstances stopped the student from attending.
Length of a Leave
A leave of absence may not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period. The University may approve more than one leave, but together they may not exceed 180 days in that period. Each leave needs its own written request.
During and After the Leave
During an approved leave, the student is not withdrawn and the University charges no tuition for the leave period. If the leave changes the expected graduation date, the University tells the student the new date in writing. A student who does not return at the end of the approved leave is terminated, and the Refund Policy applies.
Reinstatement
A student who was terminated for non-attendance, or for not returning from a leave of absence, may ask to be reinstated. Send a written petition to Student Affairs. The petition must explain what led to the problem, attach documents where they apply, and give a plan for regular participation. The Chief Academic Officer decides in writing within 20 calendar days. A student who is reinstated returns on academic probation under conditions stated in writing.
The same rules apply to every student, subject to the support the University provides to students with disabilities.
Need assistance?
Questions about this policy?
Our Student Affairs team is here to help. We reply to every message within one week.