Class Absences
University Regulations state that excusing a class absence falls under the authority of course instructors or one of the class absence policies established by the University Senate. The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) facilitates these policies on behalf of the university.
ODOS administers four specific class absence policies, which apply to the following situations:
- Emergent medical circumstances
- Grief
- Jury duty
- Military training
Additional information about each policy are provided below, along with a link to an online request form. This form guides you through the required information and initiates the process of requesting an absence through ODOS.
The absence policies established by the University Senate can be found on the Student Regulations website.
For help with how to talk with a professor about an absence, visit this page.
Absence Type-Specific Request Forms
We know that a time of loss can be difficult for a student. For class absences preceding the death of a loved one, the student should contact their instructors directly to discuss their absence. Purdue University's Grief Absence Policy provides students with a specific number of days of excused absence following the death. The relationship of the individual lost determines the number of days that can be provided under the policy. Additional days may be available to account for travel considerations.
A student should complete the Grief Absence Request Form to request that an absence notification be sent to instructors.
Students summoned to serve as potential jurors or who have been empanelled as jurors in a criminal or civil trial may request an excused absence through the Jury Duty Absence Policy for Students.
A student should complete the Jury Duty Absence Request Form to request that an absence notification be sent to instructors.
Students may occasionally miss class and other academic obligations due to emergent, serious, short-term, health-related reasons, whether physical or mental. The policy can only be applied to situations involving hospitalization, emergency room care, or surgery. The Medical Excused Absence Policy intends to afford arrangements for students experiencing these medical situations who, at the direction of the medical provider, missed coursework or exams.
A student should complete the Medical Excused Absence Request Form to request that an absence notification be sent to instructors. The policy in its entirety can be viewed here and the 2024 amendment here.
Purdue recognizes that those actively serving in the reserves or National Guard of the United States are required by their military contract to attend mandatory training, with failure to participate punishable under law.
A student should complete the Military Absence Request Form to request that an absence notification be sent to instructors.