UConn expects students to make a good-faith effort to attend class. At the same time, it is recognized that illness and other life events may periodically preclude class attendance. We write today with reminders of best practices and public health guidance for controlling spread of respiratory illness and the University expectations around class absences.
This year's influenza season has been notably prolonged and complex - we are seeing both flu A and flu B, and some students have been quite sick for a prolonged time.
We know our students want to go to class and do their classwork and that professors want them there. We also know that sometimes students are too sick to go to class or work and that everyone would be better off if they weren’t there, especially with something as contagious as influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Controlling spread of respiratory illness in a community such as ours is rooted in familiar public health guidance:
- Stay “home” (out of congregate spaces such as classes, dining halls, events) when sick with a fever and/or poorly controlled coughing/sneezing.
- When sick with coughing/sneezing, wear a mask when in close proximity to others.
- Cover your cough.
- Wash your hands.
Students that are too sick to attend class should notify their instructors as soon as possible that they will be out of class and should endeavor to keep up with or catch up with material covered in class to the best of their ability. Employed students should be familiar with sick time and notification expectations for their work.
Students who miss classes due to illness or other extenuating circumstances may reach out to instructors to request make up opportunities. In these instances, course policies as outlined in the syllabus should be applied, and students should not be asked for medical documentation or “sick notes” to support their absences. This is clearly stated in the University Senate By-Laws under E.2 Responsibility for the Academic Assessment of Students.
Faculty should refer students to the following campus resources:
- Student Health and Wellness (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/; (860) 486-4700) is staffed with medical providers. Students can schedule appointments by phone or online to have medical symptoms evaluated and treated.
- The Dean of Students Office is ready to help students navigate missed classes/exams etc. and provide guidance on communication with instructors. Students can stop by Wilbur Cross, suite 102 during drop-in hours, no appointment needed at that time or they may call 860-486-3426 to request a meeting with an Assistant Dean.
While it is seldom a convenient time to be sick during a college semester, it does happen. UConn has policies and resources to support students that are ill. These structures mirror those in the community and help to build important skills of public health awareness and self-advocacy.
Maureen Armstrong, Associate Dean of Students/Director, Dean of Students Office
Tina McCarthy, Director of Nursing, Student Health and Wellness
Davis Smith, Medical Director, Student Health and Wellness
For more information, contact: Maureen Armstrong at maureen.armstrong@uconn.edu