Medical Absence Guidelines

Student Health does not provide medical excuse notes for students due to illness, injury and/ or mental health problems that may lead to missed classes, exams or academic deadlines. Students are encouraged to make healthy and mature decisions when they are sick. This includes healthy eating, adequate sleeping, following medical advice, and possibly missing classes when ill.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the professor prior to the missed class, just as the student would be expected to inform their place of employment prior to the start of their work day. It is also the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for missed classwork, lecture notes and other assignments as necessary. All decisions about the impact of an absence and arrangements for making up missed work must be determined between the professor and student.

Students with a medical condition that may require multiple short absences due to symptom management or recurring medical appointments / treatments, may be eligible for accommodations through the Office of Student Disability Services with appropriate documentation.

An Extended Absence Notification may be sent to professors if the University is notified of significant medical or personal circumstances* causing the student to be unable to attend classes for a period of time. The attendance policy for each class is determined by the professor. The student and professor should communicate directly about the impact of this absence. Notifications are sent from Student Success, Student Disability Services, and Student Support & Well-being

*Examples of a significant health or personal circumstance may include but are not limited to: accident, injury, or illness requiring hospitalization, mental health concern, safety concern (i.e., victim of crime, ) and death or significant illness of a family member or significant other.

Students who need to take time away from their education for medical / mental health reasons may apply for a temporary separation from the university. A MedicalTemporary Separation includes options for withdrawing from all classes, leave of absence, or term away. More information on the temporary separation and return process can be found at : https://www.sju.edu/offices/student-life/sos/temporary-separation.