ATTENDANCE 

        Here you have the official policy of our former department regarding attendance to class. Now this course is part of the CSL courses but, until further notice regarding this issue is made, the policy will be kept for this course.

Department of Hispanic and Classical Studies
Basic Language Program
Policy on Attendance for Students of Spanish and Portuguese

Because of our commitment to excellence in the teaching of foreign languages, literatures and cultures, the Spanish and Portuguese instructors have determined that a certain number of contact hours per semester are necessary in order to optimize language learning. As a result, we have developed the following departmental guidelines regarding student absences from class:

Add/Drop Period

During the first two weeks of classes, on any given semester, students are encouraged to explore courses that interest them and will not be penalized in any way for being absent in a class for which they have pre-registered because of this reason. On the other hand, we really encourage you to be in class from the very beginning to avoid missing any important contents for the course. This is not valid for those special intensive three-week courses offered by the department (Span 214 is the only one offered at the moment) where students should be present in class since the first day.

As of the end of the second week of classes, students are expected to be present at all lecture and/or language lab classes.

Third Week of Classes to the End of the Semester

In accordance with University policy, students may be absent from class due to observance of religious holidays, required participation for athletes in sports, documented illnesses, and death of an immediate family member. Students must notify the instructor in advance when they will be absent due to a University approved event or activity. In case of a prolonged illness, the student must notify the Department (the CLS in this case) and the instructor may request a note from the student’s choice of parent, guardian, college master, or doctor.

However, we recognize that unexpected situations may arise. It is our policy to allow absences up to a maximum of three contact hours during any given term without penalty. A ‘contact hour’ is defined as a 50 minute class period. This means that missing a day from a course offered twice or five times a week is not equivalent to missing a day of one which is offered three times a week. Although prior notification to the instructor is encouraged and appreciated, students are not required to justify these unavoidable absences. Instructors will welcome a polite notification (just for their records!) if the student decides at some point to drop the class and not to show up in class any more.

Attendance will be taken daily, even if this is not especifically done in class. You will be allowed three unexcused absences during the semester (just one in the case of a three-week course like Span 113 or Span 214). More than three unexcused absences or contact hours will result in lowering your final grade in the following manner: 
 

• Four contact hour missed will lower your final grade by one step (e.g., from A+ to A). 

• Fifth contact hour missed will affect your grade by two steps (e.g., from B from C+). 

• Sixth contact hour missed will change your final grade by three steps (e.g., from A- to B-). 

• Seventh contact hour missed will change your final grade by four steps (e.g., from A- to C+). 

• Eight or more unexcused absences will result in your failing the course. 

Tardiness and Early Departures

It is our policy to consider three significant tardy arrivals or three significant early departures as one absence. 
 

In addition to this...

           Missing certain activities like quizzes or presentations in class may result in the proposal of some extra make-up activities in the case of an excused absence.

           In case of some major absence, make sure you talk to me before this affects your grade. Also, let me know in advance if any religious festivity, Rice sport activity or club or event on campus will force you to miss some of my classes during the semester.