Student Absence Policy
In Spring 2025, the Purdue University Northwest Faculty Senate passed a resolution expanding the PNW student absence policy to recognize additional excused absences in the categories of jury duty, parenting leave and medical, similar to Purdue West Lafayette’s policy.
Key Points
- The university expects students to attend all classes but recognizes that some absences are unavoidable.
- Students are responsible for informing instructors about absences and making up missed work.
- Only the instructor can excuse a student from a course requirement or responsibility. Instructors must clearly and explicitly state, in their course syllabus, procedures in which assignments and assessments can be made up
- Instructors must accommodate students with excused absences.
Excused Absence Categories
Up to five days for immediate family, up to three days for other relationships, with additional days for travel based on distance.
Up to 15 days per academic year, with additional days for travel based on distance.
Up to 10 days per academic semester, with additional days for travel based on distance.
For pregnancy, childbirth or caring for a newborn/adopted child, with duration based on medical necessity.
Up to 15 days per academic year for verified illness or medical procedures.
Procedures
- Students must inform instructors as soon as possible about absences.
- Instructors must provide opportunities for students to make up missed work.
- The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) can assist in notifying instructors and verifying documentation. To comply with FERPA, it is best practice for documentation to come to ODOS instead of the instructor.
The university expects both students and instructors to handle attendance issues reasonably and cooperatively.