Fall 2008 - Issue 1

The Silversword: Home > "Grind My Gearz" > Professors Worse Than Parents with Class Attendance

Professors Worse Than Parents with Class Attendance

Katie Palafox, Staff Writer

Since my first semester of college, the one thing that I haven't been able to rationalize is the attendance policy. Why should it matter to the school, if I attend class or not? Here at Chaminade University, where you are and where you're not becomes your professor's business. I cringe at the beginning of every class when the teacher begins the roll call, feeling patronized. What is this, kindergarten? Do I need to ask permission to use the bathroom too? Even my parents don't ask whether or not I went to class.

Every teacher I've had seems to have the same policy: three absences and your grade goes down one letter. Two week's worth of absences and you are advised to withdraw from the class. It's stated in every syllabus handed out at the beginning of the semester like an ominous cloud set to rain on your parade.

But what about those days when life throws you a curve ball? Say you have an interview for a new job or internship and it's inconveniently scheduled during your 10 a.m. religion class. What is a student to do? Well, of course the right thing to do would be to go for your interview because, let's face it, being a student doesn't come with a steady paycheck. However, there shouldn't be worries of repercussions when you return the following class period.

Now, a job interview sounds like an acceptable reason to miss a class or two, and I'm sure many professors would agree and let it slide. Even doctor appointments are overlooked as long as you provide a physician's note. But what about those "other" reasons for missing class? Those "mental-health days" that are more than necessary right after mid-term exams or completing a long paper. Why aren't those acceptable excuses?

Students should be held responsible for their own actions. If a class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to make up any assignments and notes. End of story. There shouldn't be a set number of absences allotted to a student per semester. Where is the freedom in that? If a student misses five classes the whole semester yet turns in all assignments on time, gets good scores on exams and participates in class discussions, their grade should not be affected.

As a student, I am more than willing to take responsibility for myself without the need for a teacher checking up on me. An independent student is a happy student. After all, we pay to be here, so shouldn't we decide when we take the day off?

The bottom line is that an attendance policy at a university is unnecessary. College students are considered adults no matter their actual age and should be treated as such. If a student is absent, it should be their business and not their professor's.