Attendance

Class Attendance

Attendance at all classes and laboratory sessions is expected of all students and all courses are conducted with this understanding. A student’s grades are based upon the general quality of work performed in each course and by such factors as prompt completion of all assignments, papers, and readings, by presence for all examinations, and by participation in class discussion.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each faculty member to set reasonable attendance policies appropriate to individual courses and to publish those policies on course syllabi. When so indicated on the course syllabus, class attendance may directly influence final grades in a course for upper-class students as well as freshmen. The following policy statements are to assist in a uniform class attendance expectation.

Certain University events, such as athletics or particular extracurricular activities, in which the students represent the University in an official capacity, necessitate excused absences from classes. In such cases, it is inappropriate to penalize a student as a result of their absences resulting from their function as University representative. Faculty then have a responsibility to provide the opportunity to complete any tests, assignments, or other work. Students should be aware that in the Junior and Senior years of study of some majors such as health science and education majors, it may be extremely difficult for extensive athletic or other types of extra-curricular participation. Students should discuss this with appropriate University officials before selecting a major.

The primary function of Gannon University is the education of its students. Consequently, it is judged to be inappropriate for any arm of the University to request that students excessively absent themselves from regularly scheduled classes in order to function as representatives of the University. Except in emergency situations (e.g., illness or accident), the student is expected to notify the faculty of scheduled course absences one (1) week in advance. Faculty may require verification from appropriate University staff.

First-year students who absent themselves, whether it be excused or unexcused, from a particular course in excess of twice the number of credit hours assigned to that course may be administratively withdrawn from the course, upon recommendation by the faculty member to the Dean of the respective course’s college. This request would typically result from unexcused absences, but a student with excused absences should also try to adhere to this limit. Although the student may not be penalized for excused absences as defined earlier, a combination of excused and unexcused may result in the same requested withdrawal. The faculty member would need to show the Dean that the student, because of the combination of absences, has not been able to show competency in the course and has no chance of doing so. Faculty should demonstrate attempts to contact the student and offer support resources, including but not limited to direct email outreach and/or submitting an Early Alert Referral prior to requesting the administrative withdrawal. Students who are active in athletics or cocurricular activities must be responsible for their learning and minimize unexcused absence in times such as sickness

Auditing Policy

Interested persons may audit most lecture courses offered at Gannon University if there is space available in the course on the first day of class and until the end of the second week of class. See the Auditing Policy for more information.

Repeat Courses

A student may repeat a course. The student is required to take the course at Gannon and submit written notice of a repeated course to the Registrar’s Office if he or she wishes to have the repeat noted on the transcript.

Pass/Fail Option

Students have the option of taking one free elective course per semester on a pass-fail basis. The option excludes required courses in the major or minor field of study, cognate courses and Liberal Studies Core courses. See the Pass-Fail Policy for more information.

Full-Time Status

To be considered a full-time student, a person is required to be enrolled for 12 credit hours in the current fall or spring semester. These credit hours may be undergraduate or for seniors in their final semester the 12 credits may be a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses.