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Phase 1 Attendance Procedures – Chicago Campus

This page was last updated on August 9, 2024 to align with the College-wide Phase 1 Attendance and Late Arrival Policy.

This page is provided to describe Chicago campus procedures regarding attendance but does not replace the college-wide policy.  Direct links to the college-wide policy are provided below for convenience.

This link should be used for all attendance related notifications and requests. See full instructions below.

Synopsis of Chicago Attendance Procedures Heading link

  1. Timeliness: Students are expected to arrive at least 5 minutes early to all learning sessions to be ready to sign in and begin on time.
  2. Signing in: Class attendance is taken electronically through the “Benware” software using a unique password posted at the start of each session.  Students are considered on-time and present if they sign in to Benware within the first 5 minutes of class.  In courses where attendance is taken on paper, the 5-minute, on-time window still applies.
  3. Anticipated absence: Students must contact the absence coordinator in writing in advance of any anticipated absence via the absence reporting process described below.  Failure to notify the coordinator in advance will result in an unexcused absence even if the reason meets the criteria for excused absence.
  4. Emergencies: No expectation of prior notification will apply in the case of an emergency.  In such cases, absences must be reported by noon the following day.
  5. Response: Whether a student arrives late, forgets to sign in, or misses a session entirely, the event is recorded as an absence and  reviewed by the absence coordinator who will deem the event excused or unexcused  in consultation with the campus curricular administration team.  The absence coordinator will reply to the report with the student’s PHA and/or OSA-Lead copied on the response.
  6. Confirmation: Submitting a request for an “excused absence” does not guarantee acceptance or approval.  The student is responsible for following up and confirming whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
  7. Late arrival: An absence will be tracked when a student does not sign in within the first 5 minutes of a session.  Not signing in within the 5-minute window counts as an absence in the course and will be either excused or unexcused.
  8. “Failure to sign in” (without penalty for an unexcused absence): This may be applied to a single, mandatory, session where a student is on time for an in-person session, but does not sign in for any reason, including technical difficulty.  Technical difficulties should be reported to the session coordinator right away.  See “Implications of Failure to Sign in” link below and first drop-down below (with table).
  9. Implications of absence: Students are responsible for all of the material presented at a missed session.  Students should refer to the syllabus for each course to confirm the implications of absence, late-arrival, excused or unexcused as the implications may vary.  The first drop-down menu below is available as a quick resource but does not replace thorough review of the individual course syllabi.
  10. Questions: Any questions about Chicago attendance and reporting  procedures should be directed to Matthew Orlando, Director, OCA (morlando@uic.edu).

Instructions for Absence Excusal and Reporting Form:

  • The link below should be used to report any absence, late arrival, or upcoming absence request from mandatory course components including sessions, graded assessments, and simulations at SAIL.
  • You will be asked to use your netid to sign in and provide all relevant information about the request.
  • Your OSA-Lead will be copied on the response.  Your PHA will be copied on the response in some instances.
  • This form is not to be used for Clerkship absence requests.  Phase 2 students must contact your Clerkship Director and Coordinator to report your absence (in addition to letting your team know).

Elements of Chicago Attendance Procedures Heading link

This section describes attendance related procedures used at the Chicago campus.

Attendance link provided again here for your convenience. See form instructions above.