Every semester each professor (hopefully) distributes a syllabus that outlines the schedule of readings, assignments and exams, lists the required texts, and presents the professor's rules. This semester one of my professors explained that he has an attendance policy.
An attendance policy?!
Every student gets one 'unexcused absence' before the grade is penalized. In order for an absence to be considered excused, one must present written documentation: a prescription, a pill bottle, a note from the doctor, a police report, a tow bill.
I can't remember the last time I missed a lecture, but I was still shocked to see this policy. Who does he think he is, I asked. I am an adult. I am responsible for getting the most out of my education dollar. I know this is an opportunity that shouldn't be wasted. If I don't attend a lecture, I am only cheating myself. I get it.
I have a good job. I am a homeowner. Heck, I even manage to dress myself every day. I am a grownup. Even my boss doesn't make me prove that I'm sick. (Keeping it to myself is good enough for him.)
Then I got "flu-like" symptoms. I wasn't going to go to the doctor just to prove that I was sick, so I didn't have much choice--I went to class. The following week the students that sit on either side of me had the same symptoms I'd had. But hey, no unexcused absences for us.
And then it happened. I developed a sinus infection with an accompanying headache that turned me into a potential meanace on the roadway. I missed that evening's lecture, but I had the documentation to prove it was legitimate. Just to make things interesting though, I topped that sinus infection off with "a virus." This is ridiculous.
My dilemma yesterday: Do I go to class and share the contagion, or do I skip the lecture and chalk up my unexcused absence? Not only that, but I also hadn't finished the assignment that was due. I could feel my grade trickling away. I figure it's fruitless to talk to a professor with such a rigid attendance policy, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I stopped by his office before class.
To say his response was unexpected would be an understatement. Not only wasn't it a problem that I missed last week, there won't be a penalty if I chose not to attend this week. I was obviously unwell, and there was no point in feeling worse just to attend lecture. But wait, there's more! He figured I might be late with my assignment, and I can turn it in late.
I was not about to look at gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, and I headed home.
I am happy to have been the recipient of someone's kindness and compassion, and I got to reevaluate, in a positive way, my perception of who the professor is.
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