Attendance Policy

We at Southern Nazarene University are “Committed to building responsible Christian persons". This concept is of such importance to this institution that we have incorporated this theme in our mission statement. Our business community likewise values this objective which they frame under their umbrella of “Professionalism”. A key element to being responsible and professional is commitment to the faithful and prompt attendance by our students to each and every class session. Being late to class will impact a student’s class participation grade and, if excessive, can affect continuance in the program. Each accumulated sum of 30 minutes of late arrivals is defined as excessive and will require make-up work.

The Graduate Studies in Management degree programs are highly accelerated, and a great deal of material is covered in a relatively short time. Therefore, it is essential that students attend all class sessions. The program director monitors attendance records. Students may miss no more than two classes in a module and still receive a passing grade for that module. At five total absences for the program, Continuance Committee approval is required in order for the student to continue in the program. Students who are absent for three consecutive class sessions are subject to withdrawal from the program. In the event of unavoidable circumstances leading to an absence, the following procedures apply:

1. Contact course instructor and/or the Graduate Studies in Management office prior to the absence or as early as possible following the absence. Assigned work is expected to be turned in on time irrespective of an absence. If a student is late or must leave early the instructor should be contacted for the required make-up assignment.

2. Complete the make-up assignment as designated by the course syllabus. Because the program is highly accelerated, make-up assignments are used to attempt to compensate for sessions missed. Assigned work that is turned in late will be appropriately penalized. Make-up assignments must be submitted to the instructor within two weeks of the absence, unless an extension is cleared with the instructor and the GSM director. The instructor will evaluate the make-up work on a PASS/NO CREDIT basis. Failure to complete the assignment at an acceptable level will result in a one letter reduction in course grade for each event.

Note: If more than two absences occur within a given module, the student will be required to re-take that module with another group at additional expense.

3. Submit the absence form, which will be supplied by the GSM office, to the course instructor with the make-up assignment. The instructor will sign and return the form to the student. Student will then return the form to the GSM office.