Attendance Policy on Student Absence
Introduction
Mont Rose College is very strict about discipline, punctuality, and regularity of the students. Qualities such as discipline, punctuality, and regularity, are highly valued by employers. Therefore, Mont Rose College tries to inculcate these qualities among the students.
The Student Services Department keeps the record of each student’s attendance on a daily basis. The Student’s Disciplinary Policy treats the breach of Attendance Policy as a serious offence.
Our aim is to be the first choice of the students and to realise this, we not only emphasise on implementing the attendance policy but also on the ways it can be achieved.
Policy Aim
This policy applies to all students enrolled in any course offered by the college. The aim of the policy is to ensure that all the students understand that they need to attend all the classes and tutorials to get the maximum benefit from their course of study.
Mont Rose College encourages 100% attendance. The adjustments can only be made where there is medical evidence or proof of extenuating circumstances.
Policy Standard
- Mont Rose College expects that student attendance should be 100% whether he/she is full or part-time. (The students with disability can get approval for agreed absence/lateness as a reasonable adjustment).
- If the student has a disability or caring responsibilities etc. and it is not possible for him/her to be punctual and regular in the class, then this should be discussed in advance with the course leader. Once an arrangement has been approved students should adhere to it.
- Students are allowed to take time off only in case of illness, bereavement or family emergencies.
- Authorised (Planned) and Unauthorised Absences
It is the student’s responsibility to provide the reasons(s) with evidence to the Student Services Administrator for an authorised absence. Absences are unauthorised unless proven otherwise.The attendance will be marked by the lecturer no later than 15 minutes after the start of each session.
The attendance register will be completed by the lecturer at the start of each class. He/she will mark the student either: –
P – Present (signature of the student)
I – Authorised Absence
A – Unauthorised Absence
SL – Sick
T– Tardy (those who appear after the start of the class, but within the first 15 minutes of the start of a session)
H – Holiday / Annual Leave
When a student is absent, late authorisation of such absence is only possible if a justified reason is provided.
- Absence due to illness
If a student is ill and needs to stay at home, then they have to inform the Student Services administrator no later than 9:30 am on the first day of their absence otherwise they will be marked as ‘unauthorised’ absent. Medical evidence will only be required if the illness lasts for more than 3 days.
In case a student falls ill or has an accident while in the college and needs to go home, the student must report the illness or accident to the course tutor or the Student Services department to get an authorised absence.
- Absence due to an appointment
- Students are advised to book any appointments after college hours to avoid interruption in their course of study. If due to any valid reason they cannot do so, then they should inform the Student Services Department or the course tutor at the time of leaving.
- If a student is unable to provide a justifiable reason and evidence of the absence, then the absence will be treated as unauthorised.
- The college will inform the students on the induction day about the main standards they need to meet while on their course of study and also about the consequences they will face if they fail to do so. Students are also advised to refer to the students’ handbook for more detailed information about the same.
- The implementation of the attendance policy will be monitored by the Student Services Department and Course Tutor.
Non-Compliance with attendance Policy
Non-compliance with the attendance policy will result in disciplinary action against the student. If the attendance is below 85%, then the college will issue the first non-attendance warning letter/SMS or email to the student regarding their absence. The student has to contact the Student Services department within five working days to provide reasons for unauthorised absence.
If the student fails to do so, then a second non-attendance warning letter/SMS or email will be sent, mentioning that they have five more working days to inform the office of their unauthorised absence. If the student again fails to contact the Student Service department, then a suspension letter will be issued to the student mentioning that the student’s name has been withdrawn from the college records and the college has also informed the UK Border Agency (UKBA) or other educational establishment’s partners if required.
After receiving the Suspension letter if the student still wishes to continue his/her studies, then they have to provide a valid reason for their absence to the students’ service department. If the reason(s) provided by the concerned student is accepted by the student services department, then the student will be able to resume the classes in the next semester, not with the current semester.
Attendance and punctuality are not only important for student success and progression in the course of study but are also required to fulfill the condition of their student visa if required and remain in the UK
The College is required by law to inform the UK Border Agency (UKBA) about the attendance of international students. The College will report non-attendance in the following circumstances:
- Attendance drops below 80%, including absence due to lateness.
- Failure to enroll in a course or withdrawal from a course.
- Change, of course
- Any other significant issues which may affect their visa conditions.
Authorized & Unauthorized Absences
The following shall be considered suitable reasons for an authorised absence:
- Medical appointments that could not be made outside of College hours.
- Visits to university/College Open Days.
- Funeral or wedding of a close family member.
- Severe travel disruption.
- Genuine family emergencies.
- Religious Holidays.
The following shall be considered unacceptable reasons for authorising absence:
- Holidays during the term.
- Part or full-time work which is not part of a course of study
- Leisure activities.
- Birthdays or family celebrations.
- Babysitting.
Withdrawing from or suspending study:
If you are considering withdrawing from the College or suspending your studies for any reason, please consult your tutor and the Student Services department and seek advice if you have a particular problem. If a student wants to take a prolonged leave due to illness and pregnancy, he/she needs to provide a medical certificate to get an authorised leave from the college.
If you decide to suspend or withdraw from your course, you must inform the Student Services department who will complete the appropriate forms on your behalf. It is very important that the correct procedure is followed, should you decide to re-enter higher education at a later stage.
You must not, under any circumstances, withdraw from the College without notifying the Student Services department, as failure to do so may carry financial implications in terms of tuition fees, repayment of the student loan, and visa issues.