Attendance

Ottawa University believes that students who are actively engaged in their class(es) do better than those who are not.  Because of this, instructors record attendance for all enrolled students and student grades may be negatively impacted due to lack of attendance.  If it is unavoidable that a class session or coursework is missed, students are expected to do the following:

  • Contact the instructor prior to or immediately after the absence to discuss missed assignments and subsequent expectations.

  • Make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor. If make-up work is allowed, it must be turned in as stipulated by the instructor.

In accordance with the Department of Education, Ottawa University defines attendance as:

  • Physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and student;

  • Submitting an academic assignment;

  • Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction;

  • Attending a study group that is assigned by the institution;

  • Participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and

  • Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.

The following activities do NOT qualify as attendance in classes:

  • Living in institutional housing;

  • Participating in the institution's meal plan;

  • Logging into an online class without active participation; or

  • Participating in academic counseling or advisement.

It is the responsibility of students to withdraw from courses they will not participate in.  However, the Registrar's Office may withdraw any student who does not attend the first day of an in-person course or does not participate in the first week of an online course.  All charges will be reversed, and no record of the enrollment will appear on the transcript.

In addition, the Registrar's Office may administratively withdraw any student who does not actively participate in class for 14 consecutive calendar days.

  1. An email will be sent to the students notifying them of their withdrawal from the course(s).

  2. Students whose last date of attendance is after 75% of the course has been completed will not be administratively withdrawn for lack of participation.

  3. The tuition charges assessed to the student will be determined using the students reported last date of attendance in accordance with the Ottawa University refund policy.

Additional refund calculations may be necessary for any students receiving Federal Financial Aid.