Attendance and Participation

Course Participation

The University expects all students to actively participate in courses in which they are enrolled and comply with attendance requirements specified in the course syllabus. Participation criteria for online classes will vary by course as detailed in the syllabus; however, examples of requirements include: posting or submitting substantive academic discussions or assignments.

Students must attend an on-campus or online class by the seventh day of the session. If the student does not attend or participate in the classroom, by the seventh day of the session, the student may be dropped from the course and/or administratively withdrawn from the University (students who are administratively withdrawn who wish to return to USU must reapply for readmission).

In addition, if a student is absent from the University for 14 consecutive calendar days, (excluding scheduled breaks of five days or more), at any time after the first week of class and no contact has been made by the student indicating intent to return (see Intent to Return below), the student will be dropped from the course and/or administratively withdrawn from the University. Students should consult with their academic advisor and student financial planner before making changes to their schedules as there may be academic and financial implications due to schedule changes. Please refer to the Cancellation and Refund Policy and Grading System for more information.

Intent to Return

Students who stop attending courses may submit written confirmation of their Intent to Return in a future session to avoid being withdrawn from the university if they meet the following criteria:

The student was withdrawn or administratively withdrawn from the course(s) in the first session of that semester, and
Provide written consent of their Intent to Return within 14 calendar days following their last date of attendance, and
The student's return date must be no later than the start date of the second session of that semester, and
Are not an international student with an F1 Student VISA. International students with an F1 Student VISA should speak to their designated school official for possible options and refer to the International Student Handbook regarding academic breaks/vacations.

Students who are ineligible to file an Intent to Return should refer to the Leave of Absence (LOA) policy for alternative options to remain enrolled at the university.

Students who do not return by the end of the add/drop period of their scheduled return date will be administratively withdrawn from the University. The withdrawal date will be recorded as the student's last date of attendance. This status will be reported to external agencies as required by federal, state, or other regulatory bodies.

International students with an F1 Student VISA

International students are required to maintain continuous participation in an online environment and must attend all in-person weekend lectures. Failing to attend any in-person lectures will result in course(s) being dropped and/or administratively withdrawn from the University which may be processed the next business day. Make-hours are not allowed.

Field Experience Preparation Participation

For students in field experience/practicum/student teaching requirements, participation includes students being proactive and partnering with the Office of Field Experience or designee to fulfill the required field experience requirements which include and are not limited to: reviewing and understanding the program requirements, communicating with your coordinators, submitting the required documentation/information prior to the established deadlines to ensure sufficient time to review and process your requests, and to be respectful of the time of others involved in the process - including preceptors, cooperating teachers, and placement location personnel.