For required courses in the MSUCOM Curriculum, MSUCOM students must follow the requirements outlined in the course protocols. Receiving an excused absence from a course activity does not affect the expectation that the student will meet the course requirements as outlined in the course protocol.

MSUCOM in accordance with All-University Policy on Attendance (link opens in .PDF) does not have a regulation requiring class attendance. However, the College understands and supports the need and the right of the faculty to expect student attendance and participation in many curricular components with consequences if the student is not attending. MSUCOM considers osteopathic medical student education a participatory activity. Student attendance and participation in scheduled MSUCOM courses is expected and can be used in faculty's assessment of student performance.

Mandatory Class Sessions and Examinations

In the spirit of professional behavior and the mastery of defined educational objectives, MSUCOM students are expected to attend mandatory class sessions (e.g., lectures, laboratories) and take all examinations during their originally scheduled times. If this is not possible, the student must request an excused absence. If an excused absence is not obtained, the Course Coordinator(s) may give the student a "zero" for class session(s)/examination(s) missed which may result in an "N" grade for the course(s). The student must obtain an excused absence before meeting with course faculty to request an opportunity to make up a missed examination or mandatory class session. An excused absence does not relieve the student from responsibilities for missed mandatory class sessions and examinations. It is highly possible that an excused absence will not be granted for a mandatory class session due to scheduling of equipment and faculty. If one of these mandatory sessions is missed, even though an excused absence is granted, and cannot be made up, the student may be required to repeat the course at its next offering. It is the student's responsibility to refer to course protocols to understand daily requirements, responsibilities and the consequences of not completing these requirements.

To obtain an excused absence, you need to make the following contact, as appropriate, prior to the scheduled mandatory class session(s) or the administration of the examination(s):

Emergencies:

Contact William M. Falls, Ph.D., Associate Dean/Student Services, at (517) 353-8799, (517) 353-7741, or by e-mail (Bill.Falls@hc.msu.edu), and/or the Course Coordinator, if indicated in the course protocol. Acute illness, hospitalization, automobile accident or death of an immediate family member will be acceptable reasons for a retroactive excused absence. If Dr. Falls is unable to answer your telephone call, please leave a message on voice mail.

When there is advance notice of absence:

Contact William M. Falls, Ph.D., Associate Dean/Student Services at C-110 East Fee Hall, and/or the Course Coordinator, if indicated in course protocol (e.g., extended illness with doctor's excuse, jury duty.) A student must submit his/her excused absence request at least one week in advance of the scheduled mandatory class session(s) or examination(s) on an Excused Absence Request Form available in the Office of Student Services. Materials documenting the reason for the absence should also be attached to the Excused Absence Request Form. The request for an excused absence will be considered by the Associate Dean/Student Services and/or the Course Coordinator and the student will be notified of a decision in a timely fashion.

Conferences, Conventions, Meetings, College Sponsored Activities

MSUCOM students are encouraged to participate locally, regionally, nationally and internationally with student organizations and other medically related groups. However, the College recognizes the student's academic program to be the PRIORITY and it is the students' responsibility to fulfill all course requirements.

If a student wishes to attend a conference, convention, meeting or college sponsored activity which will cause him/her to miss a mandatory class [session(s) and/or examination(s)], he/she must complete and submit an Excused Absence Request Form (available in the Office of Student Services) to the Associate Dean/Student Services and/or the Course Coordinator, if indicated in the course protocol, at least two weeks prior to the expected absence period and provide a copy of the conference, convention, meeting or college sponsored activity announcement. Examination dates and mandatory class sessions will not routinely be changed for these activities. In order to make up a missed mandatory class session or missed examination, a student must have obtained an excused absence. The request for an excused absence will be considered by the Associate Dean/Student Services and/or the Course Coordinator and the student will be notified of a decision in a timely fashion.

Upon returning from a conference, convention, meeting or college sponsored activity, each student receiving an excused absence is required to submit a summary report of their activities during the excused period to the Associate Dean/Student Services. A student Professional Activity Report Form is available in the Office of Student Services. Failure to provide a summary report may preclude the student from receiving an excused absence for future conferences, conventions, meetings or college-sponsored activities. If an excused absence is not obtained, the Course Coordinator(s) may give the student a "zero" for those examinations and mandatory class sessions missed which may result in an "N" grade for the course(s). In order to make up a missed examination or mandatory class session, a student must have obtained an excused absence.

Extended Absences

MSUCOM will not excuse students for extended absences involving elective travel and medical mission work in another country. Approval of extended absences for unavoidable situations will be considered by the Associate Dean/Student Services on a case-by-case basis.

One hundred percent attendance is expected. Unexcused or excessive absences can be the basis for an "N" grade. Time off during prescribed working hours must be arranged with the training coordinator for the service and approved by the Director of Medical Education. Time off to participate in personal activity (i.e., activities not arranged and scheduled by the College) must be made up by the student according to a prearranged plan approved by the Director of Medical Education. Students are referred to Unit III General Student Protocol, Student Duties and Responsibilities for further details.