Flexible Attendance Accommodation(s)

Students who experience periodic absences related to a disability and/or chronic health condition may be approved for an attendance flexibility accommodation. This accommodation may be approved based on documentation from a regulated health professional that verifies the disability and supports the need for attendance flexibility.

Scope and Limitations

Attendance flexibility is not unlimited and remains subject to course-specific requirements where attendance is an essential component of meeting course learning outcomes.

An attendance flexibility accommodation may permit absences beyond those allowed under the course attendance policy. However, absences must remain within reasonable limits and cannot compromise essential course requirements, academic standards, or learning outcomes.

Establishing Parameters

The specific parameters of the accommodation, including reasonable limits on absences (for example, approximately 20% of scheduled classes), communication expectations, and procedures for completing missed academic work, must be established through a discussion between the student and instructor, with support from the Paul Menton Centre, where appropriate.

This discussion should occur as soon as possible following approval of the accommodation.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for actively participating in the accommodation process, including communicating with their instructor and adhering to agreed-upon expectations regarding attendance, missed coursework, and academic requirements.

Effective Dates

Attendance flexibility accommodations cannot be applied retroactively and do not cover absences that occurred before the accommodation was approved.

If a student’s absences exceed reasonable limits during the term and may jeopardize their ability to successfully complete the course, the student will be advised to consult their departmental advisor to explore course withdrawal options before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty.

This accommodation is valid only for the academic term in which it is approved and does not extend beyond the last day of classes, as established in the Registrar’s Office academic calendar.