Students are expected to attend all class sessions, lectures, critiques, and required meetings. Artistic progress depends not only on completing assignments but also on active participation in studio and academic discussions. All class session absences count toward the semester absence total unless approved as an extenuating circumstance by the Dean of Students or in observation of a Religious Observance. Students are responsible for all missed materials, including assignments and tests; however, some activities, such as critiques, demonstrations, and collaborative projects may not be able to be replicated or made up. Faculty are required to take attendance at every class session and maintain accurate records. Institutionally-mandated absence limits are as follows:

Absences Exceeding the Absence Limits

To maintain the integrity of the curriculum, students who exceed the absence limits outlined above will receive a full letter grade reduction in their final course grade (A- to B-, B to C, etc.). Faculty may impose additional penalties for absences and this information should be included in the course syllabus. Any student who exceeds the absence limit in a class should meet with their academic advisor to discuss how this may affect their academic progress.

An absence from a final critique or exam will result in automatic failure of the project or exam unless approved as an extenuating circumstance by the Dean of Students.

Absence Due to Religious Observance

Students who expect to miss class for religious observances must provide advanced notice to their faculty members. Faculty are encouraged to include their preferences for required advanced notice timelines within their syllabus. These absences will not count toward the absence limits outlined above; however, students are responsible for arranging with their faculty how and when missed work will be completed. Students who fail to communicate about an absence due to religious observance in advance, fail to make arrangements with your faculty members, or fail to submit work within the agreed timeframe will be graded accordingly and at the faculty member’s discretion.

Absence Due to Extenuating Circumstances

In most instances, the absence limits outlined above are adequate for student needs throughout a semester. In the case of an absence due to extenuating circumstances, that a student wishes to not count against the absence limits, the student must submit the Extenuating Circumstance Absence Request Form within 10 calendar days (limited exceptions apply) of the absence for review by the Dean of Students. The use of this form should be extremely limited as most absences do not qualify as extenuating.

Extenuating circumstances are generally defined as exceptionally rare, unforeseen, and short-term circumstances which may cause a student to be absent from class. These terms are defined as follows:

• Exceptionally rare is defined as a circumstance that is markedly different from the student’s usual daily life activities.
• Unforeseen is defined as a circumstance that is outside of the student’s control and was not preventable. This takes into account the student’s responsibility for making a reasonable attempt at utilizing College-provided resources, policies and procedures available to assist in their success.
• Short-term is defined as a circumstance that is temporary and will not require on-going intervention past a reasonable time period.

Extenuating circumstances do NOT include the following:

• Minor illnesses
• Doctor and dentist appointments
• Transportation issues
• Weather concerns
• Extracurricular activities
• Other instances that are not exceptionally rare and unforeseen

Upon receiving the Extenuating Circumstance Absence Request Form, the Dean of Students will make a determination as to the classification of the absence as approved or not approved or will request additional outstanding/clarification information from the student. The student and faculty member(s) will be notified via CIA email of the determination no later than 10 calendar days after the request and all necessary information is received by the Dean of Students. Sharing of information impacting the decision will be at the sole discretion of the Dean of Students and will prioritize student privacy and dignity. If an absence is deemed approved as an extenuating circumstance, it will not be counted in the absence limits outlined above and the student will be responsible for all missed work and course requirements for the approved date(s). The student will be required to make arrangements with the faculty member(s) to determine a reasonable timeline for completing missed work and course requirements for the approved date(s). This timeline will be at the sole discretion of the faculty member.

In the case of an absence submitted via the Extenuating Circumstance Absence Request Form which is determined to be not approved by the Dean of Students, the student may file an appeal with the Vice President of Academic Affairs + Provost within 3 calendar days on specific grounds. Disagreement with the decision alone is not sufficient for an appeal. Appeals must be submitted via CIA email to [email protected] with [email protected] copied and must include the student’s name and ID number and must indicate on which ground the student believes the decision should be appealed (options below):

1. Through no fault of the student, information/documentation pertinent to the decision was missing at the time of the decision. Note: The student will be required to submit the additional information/documentation as part of the appeal along with an explanation of why the information/documentation was not provided in the original request.
2. Through no fault of the student, College policy was not followed and had a direct impact on the decision at the time of the decision. Note: The student will be required to identify which policy was not followed, documentation showing the policy was not followed, and a description of how the decision may have been different if policy had been followed.

Upon receiving an appeal request, the Vice President of Academic Affairs + Provost will make a determination as to the classification of the original decision as upheld or overturned or will request additional outstanding/clarification information from the student. The student, faculty member(s), and Dean of Students will be notified via CIA email of the determination no later than 10 calendar days after the request and all necessary information is received by the Vice President of Academic Affairs + Provost. Decisions that are overturned will result in the absence being classified as extenuating and the absence will not be counted in the absence limits outlined above and the student will be responsible for all missed work and course requirements for the approved date(s). The student will be required to make arrangements with the faculty member(s) to determine a reasonable timeline for completing missed work and course requirements for the approved date(s). This timeline will be at the sole discretion of the faculty member. Decisions that are upheld will maintain an absence classification as not approved. All appeal decisions are final and binding.

Important Notes

• Students receiving approved extenuating circumstance absences are not guaranteed to pass their courses.
• Students may fail a course due to exceeding the absence limits beyond approved extenuating circumstance absences. (See Absences Exceeding the Absence Limits above.)
• Students may fail a course due to not completing course requirements regardless of approved extenuating circumstance absences.
• Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty members and academic advisor to discuss their options for success in their courses when they are experiencing absences (whether due to extenuating circumstances or otherwise).

Extracurricular Life and Class Attendance

At CIA, we value students' total educational experience, including its curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular components. All departments, academic and other, are encouraged to minimize the scheduling during established class meeting hours of events at which student participation is required or desired, including but not limited to extra class meetings, professional development opportunities, field trips, and other organized activities. When conflicts exist, all parties (students, faculty, and staff) should work together so that the student can meet their academic obligations and participate in extracurricular events. If an agreement about an appropriate compromise or solution cannot be reached, the student's obligations to classes meeting on their posted schedules will take priority.