Class Attendance Policies
Class attendance is vital to a student’s ability to succeed in any course. In all cases, attendance policies will be detailed on course syllabi provided at the beginning of each course.
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Each student is responsible to the instructor in matters pertaining to class attendance. The student should explain the cause of each absence. If the absence is deemed justifiable, the instructor may grant the student an opportunity to make up the work. Because the college is concerned about the academic success of the student, instructors are encouraged to keep records of class attendance. Instructors should explain to each of their classes at the beginning of every semester what constitutes “excessive absences.” A student with excessive absences may be withdrawn from the class at the request of the professor, in accordance with the policies explained on the course syllabus. Students who fail to attend all courses regularly may be withdrawn from the college.
Dropping or Adding Courses
Returning students may make changes to their schedules online during the Add/Drop period- typically the first four class days of each term. Withdrawals, which are different from dropped courses in that the course appears on the transcript as withdrawn, may continue after the fourth day until the end of the twelfth week of the term. Any class for which you are registered after the end of the add/drop period will count as hours attempted for financial aid purposes.
Leave of Absence
There are situations, such as medical or family emergencies, when a student must withdraw from classes for a semester with every intention of returning the next semester. The student may, in these cases, request approval of a Leave of Absence that, if granted, would mean that he or she would not have to complete the withdrawal (from the institution) process and then reapply for admission. In applying, the student will be asked to indicate the term of absence, the reason for the absence and to provide documentation of the reason stated so that the Provost’s Office may consider the request.
While students are encouraged to apply for the Leave of Absence prior to the beginning of a term or during the drop/add period, students must complete the Leave of Absence form no later than the last day to withdraw from a class for approval to be considered for the current term. Students who have begun coursework during the term and who receive permission for the leave after the drop/add period would be granted a W for all courses for which they are registered; these hours would count, however, as hours attempted.
In cases where a student needs to withdraw from classes for medical reasons but anticipates returning in the next semester, the student may be granted a Medical Leave of Absence. The leave must be requested no later than the last day of the semester to withdraw. In rare circumstances, students can request a medical Leave of Absence beyond the last date to withdraw from a class, with sufficient documentation. Upon receipt of appropriate medical documentation, students will be granted a WS for all courses for which they are registered; these hours would count, however, as hours attempted. Students who withdraw from classes for medical reasons will be asked to provide documentation from the appropriate medical professionals regarding the student’s readiness to return to a residential academic community.
A student approved for a Leave of Absence or Medical Leave of Absence will be eligible to pre-register at the same time he or she would if enrolled at Berry and will, upon returning to the college, be coded as a current student. The student is responsible for meeting all fee deadlines, housing application deadlines, etc., as is a student in residence.
A Leave of Absence will be granted for no more than one term in duration. If students must be gone from the institution longer than one term, they must formally withdraw and then apply for re-admission. Students should be advised that an approved Leave of Absence may affect the student’s eligibility for financial aid and grants; students seeking approval of a Leave should consult with financial aid.
Withdrawals
To withdraw from a course, a student submits a One-Stop Registration form with the student’s advisor’s signature of approval and submits it to the Registrar’s Office before the final day to withdraw from a course, as published in the Academic Calendar.
Students may not withdraw from a course to avoid a sanction for academic dishonesty. The date of dropping a class in no way implies a tuition refund. In cases affecting a student’s receipt of financial aid, federal and state regulations specify that the last date of class attendance be used as the date of withdrawal.
Failure to withdraw properly may result in a grade of F. Applicable dates by which class withdrawals must be accomplished are published in the official Academic Calendar.
To withdraw from Berry College as a degree-seeking student (undergraduate and graduate), a student must complete the withdrawal form from the Office of the Provost, Dean of Student Success. The Dean of Student Success is responsible for undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking Berry College students. Students are encouraged to schedule an exit interview with the Dean of Student Success. Refunds for which the student is entitled will be processed according to the Refund of Charges section of the Berry College Catalog.
Students who will be absent from campus for at least one full semester but are not classified as full-time transient students or who have not been granted a leave of absence will be considered withdrawn and must complete the withdrawal form.
Berry College may require at any time the withdrawal of any student whose conduct or academic standing it regards as undesirable, either for the student’s sake or for the college’s.
If the undesirable conduct is unintentional but suggests that the student may be harmful to self or others or is incompatible with the good order and operation of the college, the matter will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs. The Vice President of Student Affairs will consult with health-care providers, professors, counselors and other individuals as appropriate. The Vice President of Student Affairs may require interim, temporary or permanent withdrawal of such student.
If the undesirable conduct is deliberate, the student will be subject to the rules and procedures provided in the Code of Student Conduct.
Students who leave the campus under the above conditions, either voluntarily or involuntarily, may be readmitted to the college only after being cleared by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Permission for readmission may take into account the student’s demonstrating a period of stable behavior outside the college and may require a statement from a physician, psychologist or other qualified professionals that the student is ready to return and cope successfully with college life. Follow-up services or special conditions may be required as part of the readmission decision. In most cases, a letter from your doctor may be required before your readmission may be considered.