College instruction is designed for students to learn by way of class attendance, and regular attendance is a key to academic success. Attendance is based on class meetings and calculated from the first class meeting, not based on when the student enrolls in the class. Students are expected to punctually attend all class sessions in the courses for which they are registered. Late arrivals and/or early departures may count toward total absences in classes.
Students who have not attended at least once by the Census date of the course may be administratively dropped as a “No Show.” No-Show students will be removed from the class roster and will not be allowed to continue in the class.
Within their respective departmental guidelines, instructors are responsible for stating their own course attendance and tardiness requirements on course syllabi distributed at the beginning of the academic term. It is the student’s responsibility to know and understand the attendance requirements for each instructor and to understand how attendance in class might affect his or her final grade. Regardless of how attendance is used in grading, faculty are required to keep a timely record of attendance for each student through the end of the semester using college-approved, record-keeping software.
Attendance in online (Internet, Internet Synchronous, Hybrid, Blended, and Hyflex) courses is measured not only by completion of an initial enrollment verification assignment (on or before the Census Date of the course) but also by completion of the required coursework and/or online participation, as defined by the instructor on the course syllabus. In courses with synchronous meeting times (Internet Synchronous, Hybrid, and Blended), students MUST meet on the required meeting dates specified (first class meeting, lab, etc.). Log into MyCFCC from the CFCC website for course information or contact your instructor.
Attendance policy for students enrolling in a prerequisite English or math course: Students who enroll in a prerequisite math or English course must attend at least 80% of the meeting dates. Students who exceed the maximum allowable absences in the prerequisite support course may be administratively withdrawn by the instructor and may receive a grade of “W”.
Special note: Some programs may require that students participate in instructional activities during a holiday or semester break when students are normally off. When such occurs, students must participate. Some examples are Marine Technology and Veterinary Medical Technology.
Adding a course late: After the last day to add a class for a term, students who wish to add a class or be reinstated to a class, must complete a Late Add/Reinstatement Request Form for review & approval or disapproval.
Excused Absences due to Public Health Emergencies
If a student is asked to remain home due to a public health emergency, every effort will be made to ensure that the student remains on track with all coursework. This may include allowing the student to complete assignments and participate in the class remotely when possible. Absences incurred during the recommended or directed self-isolation period will not violate an instructor’s attendance policy as long as the student has contacted the Dean of Students’ office prior to missing class. The college acknowledges that some classes include content and experiences that cannot be completed remotely. In these cases, instructors, department chairs, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Vice President of Student Services will discuss what options are available to assist students in completing their course of study.
Veteran & Military Service Member Attendance Policy
CFCC recognizes the unique situations that our students who are veterans and/or military service members of the US Armed Forces sometimes endure situations which can affect their attendance. If a veteran and/or military service member student receives orders for unexpected short-term deployment or training, or for medical appointments and/or hospitalization due to service related injuries, absences that result from these orders or appointments will not count toward the total number of absences allowable per the attendance policy of each class in which that student is enrolled.
A student seeking an excused absence should first present military orders and/or medical documentation from an approved provider (Military Hospitals, Veterans Healthcare Administration, and/or Veterans Community Care Program) in relation to service-connected injuries to the Director of Veterans Affairs or Veterans Services Coordinator, to be verified for the respective department chair and the student’s instructor. CFCC will adhere to the Excused Absence for Military Service policy, prescribed by the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCCC.500.1), for those service members forward deployed or in training, contingent upon orders submitted to the Director of Veterans Affairs and Veteran Services Coordinator.
The college acknowledges that some classes, such as biology and clinicals in nursing and allied health programs, have unique content; it may not be possible for a student to receive an extension on the assignments in these courses.
We also recognize that there will be unique cases that will require the exercise of sound judgment. Instructors, department chairs, and the Director of Veteran Affairs and Veteran Services Coordinator will collectively discuss these cases to determine the best way to assist our veteran and/or military service member students in completing their course of study.
Students who are currently serving in the Guard/Reserve must adhere to the College’s No Show policy by attending all of their classes before the deployment or training begins. Students unable to attend class on or prior to the census date (10% point of class) should register for another class session when available.
Religious Observance Notification
Students will be allowed two days of excused absence each academic year for religious observances required by the faith of the student. Students are required to provide written notice of the request for an excused absence by completing the Religious Observance Absence form available in Student Services and Enrollment Management. The completed form must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management or his/her designee a minimum of ten (10) school days prior to the religious observance. The Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management or his/her designee will notify the instructor within three (3) school days of receiving the request. Students will be given the opportunity to make up any tests or other work missed due to the excused absence and should work with their instructors in advance of the excused absence to delineate how to make up the missed coursework (N.C.G.S. 115D-5).
