Accommodations for Student Absences
Dear Colleagues,

We hope that your first week of classes was a great success! As we move into the semester, we want to reiterate the importance of making accommodations for students who are absent because of illness, quarantine, or other extenuating circumstances. We understand that making these accommodations is often challenging and time consuming. However, in an effort to support our students, maintain their educational progress, and preserve a face-to-face (F2F) teaching environment, it is imperative that we provide this flexibility.

Please talk with students about what to do if they are ill and how you can support their academic success in these situations. Encourage students to reach out when absences are anticipated and please be receptive and encourage this conversation.
Below are some options and suggestions for possible accommodations for student absences:

  • If possible, hold class with a Zoom option. This will allow students to attend when circumstances require their absence from a F2F classroom. 


  • If appropriate, consider extending assignment deadlines.

  • Consider the possibility of a pedagogically appropriate make-up assignment.

  • As for tests and exams, the ITRC also provides access to online proctoring that can help students keep up with testing schedules in your class.
We also want to provide you with guidance on additional classroom organization that may help our University's COVID-19 Contact Tracing team.  
 
  • If possible, please implement seating charts for your classes. This will expedite contact tracing and help to keep F2F activities moving while mitigating risk to others.

  • Remind students (and others) that face coverings are required in all indoor spaces (not just classrooms). Also, the use of face shields without face coverings is not approved, except by those who have ADA accommodations.

  • Finally, please let those working remotely, or students attending entirely online, know that they should still fill out self-report forms.
Thank you for all that you have done, and continue to do, to support your students and ensure a safe learning and working environment for the entire campus community!
 
––Academic Affairs Team
Idaho State
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