Attendance Policy

Request for Prior Approval Instructions

Avoid scheduling off campus activities that conflict with your classes!!

If you must be away from NCSSM (due to family events, college visits, medical appointments, etc.) during any part of an Academic Day (including Exams, Mini-Term,
Commencement,etc.), you are required to complete a Request for Prior Approval of
Absence form and return it—along with written permission from your parents—to
the Academic Programs Office (Watts 101).  The (yellow) Prior Approval of Absence forms are always available in the Academic Programs Office, the Textbook
Room/Attendance Office (adjacent to the cafeteria), and typically in the Bryan and Hunt
SLI Offices as well.

Completing the form requires that you provide the basic information as to the dates and times that you will be away from campus as well as list all of the classes (or other
required meetings, etc.) that you will miss. You then must go to each of the affected Instructors for any make-up work necessary as well as for their strong>signature on the form indicating that they have no serious reservations about your being away.  Should an instructor have cause for concern regarding your potential absence based on your performance in the course, she/he will refuse to sign and (should you still decide to miss the class) your absence likely will be considered strong>Unexcused.

Approval of any academic absence also requires that your parent(s) or guardian be notified and give their formal permission (as indicated in the instructions on the Prior Approval form).  Their written consent
(signed and dated) can be presented in person, mailed, or faxed
(919/416-2890) to the Academic Programs Office (Watts 101).

The completed Request for Prior Approval Form should be submitted to the Academic Programs Office at least two academic days, or five academic days for a lab class, before the date of the absence.  NCSSM guidelines stipulate that you cannot take more than two such approved absences in each trimester course.  Please do not request to make extended trips (associated with scheduled holidays or at any other time during the academic year) that will take you away from NCSSM for multiple Academic Days since, by school policy, the request will be refused and your absences (should you make such a trip) will be considered Unexcused.

Absences due to school-sanctioned activities (e.g. field trips, athletic events), illness confirmed by
the NCSSM Clinic, or verified emergencies (either at home or school) do not require completion of the Prior Approval form.  Although a student
who for any reason (medical, excused, approved, unexcused) misses ten classes in the same course during a single Trimester will not be
granted academic credit without the specific approval of the Vice Chancellor for
Academic Programs.