Letter from the Editor: This isn't high school
Michelle Maher
Issue date: 4/6/06 Section: Opinion
BSC has many policies I agree with when it comes to academics, but the attendance policy certainly isn't one of them.
The college has a rule that states, "Students are responsible for satisfactory attendance in each course for which they are registered. The instructor, within the context of this policy statement, shall determine satisfactory attendance." I just don't agree with this.
College is considered higher education. It is not a requirement; it is a choice. College students, with the exception of a few, are there with the sole purpose of benefiting themselves and their future. So why should students have to follow a rigid attendance policy when they are there for their own good?
A student who knows enough to go to college knows he or she must attend classes to pass (obviously… how else would they learn?) So, why shouldn't a student have the choice to miss a class or two (or six, if they must) if he or she wants/needs to?
Most college students have to work all throughout college; a lot of students even have to work full-time. Some students have kids; some are involved in numerous activities out of college which are almost equally as important as classroom lectures are, like internships. Students should have the choice to miss a class (with the exception of exam days and days when papers are due, etc.) if they need to focus on something else in their busy lives, especially if they have to fill in for someone at work or something like that. College shouldn't be this expensive if they don't allow us to work when we need to… but that's a completely different story.
Moreover, I really don't think it's fair that the school doesn't have a rule that allows at least a few absences. If you leave that up to the professor, then the professor could say that not missing a class is considered satisfactory attendance. And believe me, that happens. It has happened to me on a few occasions, in fact. How is that fair? Also, you have teachers that say you can miss class only if you are sick but you must present proof. So, that means you have to go to the doctor even if you have a cold. That's ridiculous. Maybe a few hours in bed are all you need. Going to school could make it worse. Yet, students still have to do that if they want to pass. That is not right.
I beg the school to change the policy on attendance. If you don't eliminate this policy altogether, then at least think about changing it to state that every student is allowed to miss at least three classes. Anything after that would be up to the professor.
The college has a rule that states, "Students are responsible for satisfactory attendance in each course for which they are registered. The instructor, within the context of this policy statement, shall determine satisfactory attendance." I just don't agree with this.
College is considered higher education. It is not a requirement; it is a choice. College students, with the exception of a few, are there with the sole purpose of benefiting themselves and their future. So why should students have to follow a rigid attendance policy when they are there for their own good?
A student who knows enough to go to college knows he or she must attend classes to pass (obviously… how else would they learn?) So, why shouldn't a student have the choice to miss a class or two (or six, if they must) if he or she wants/needs to?
Most college students have to work all throughout college; a lot of students even have to work full-time. Some students have kids; some are involved in numerous activities out of college which are almost equally as important as classroom lectures are, like internships. Students should have the choice to miss a class (with the exception of exam days and days when papers are due, etc.) if they need to focus on something else in their busy lives, especially if they have to fill in for someone at work or something like that. College shouldn't be this expensive if they don't allow us to work when we need to… but that's a completely different story.
Moreover, I really don't think it's fair that the school doesn't have a rule that allows at least a few absences. If you leave that up to the professor, then the professor could say that not missing a class is considered satisfactory attendance. And believe me, that happens. It has happened to me on a few occasions, in fact. How is that fair? Also, you have teachers that say you can miss class only if you are sick but you must present proof. So, that means you have to go to the doctor even if you have a cold. That's ridiculous. Maybe a few hours in bed are all you need. Going to school could make it worse. Yet, students still have to do that if they want to pass. That is not right.
I beg the school to change the policy on attendance. If you don't eliminate this policy altogether, then at least think about changing it to state that every student is allowed to miss at least three classes. Anything after that would be up to the professor.