Additional UConn Information

  • Flu Season

    Dear Faculty,

     

    As you have no doubt noticed, flu season is well under way. Student Health Services has reported to us that there are a large number of students on campus who are sick. 

     

    Student Health Services encourages students to call for medical advice about whether or not to come in for an in-person medical visit, rather than just come in, because it is better to keep contagious people away from public areas where they can expose others. For this reason, many students who are sick appropriately decide not to be seen in person for medical treatment.

     

    Many faculty believe that students require “sick notes/medical excuses” when they miss classes. This is not the case; such excuses are not required. In light of this, Student Health Services does not provide medical excuse notes.

     

    In general, under senate rules, students are not required to attend class, and faculty may not reduce a student's grade simply because of an absence. Faculty do have full authority to determine the terms under which a student may make up missed work, and can reduce a grade based on lack of class participation. 

     

    Since we do not want sick students coming to class or to Student Health Services in person, we ask that faculty be understanding of students who report being sick. Faculty should afford students who miss class due to illness reasonable accommodation to make up missed work.

     

    Thanks for your assistance in keeping our community healthy.

     

     

    Amy Donahue                                                             Sally Reis

    Vice Provost for Academic Operations                  Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

    For more information, contact: Office of the Provost at 860-486-4037