Absence Notifications

FAQs

• What are the reasons for requesting an absence notification?

  • Hospitalization
  • Jury Duty
  • Illness or Injury
  • Bereavement  
  • Religious Observance
  • Mental Health Crisis 

  The Dean of Students Office will determine whether something qualifies for an absence notification and will send it if it does.

• What do Absence Notifications NOT cover? 

  The Dean of Students office will not send absence notifications retroactively nor will we send them to students absent for just one day. We do not send absence notifications for students who go on vacations or take trips that are not affiliated with the University.

• Does an absence notification excuse my absences?

  Wentworth does not have an excused absences policy, and the Dean of Students Office does not have the authority to excuse a student's absence; these notifications are sent as a courtesy to the faculty. Faculty decide whether students can make up late work or have their absences excused; these decisions are at the faculty’s discretion

• I requested an absence notification because of medical reasons. Will this be an excused absence?

  Not necessarily. Wentworth does not have an excused absences policy—that decision is left up to the faculty and in accordance with their syllabus. Students who are sick and/or are absent for medical reasons should communicate with their faculty as soon as possible.

  An exception may apply if you are registered with Accessibility Services for a diagnosed medical condition. If that is the case, you should contact access@wit.edu for guidance.

• I am missing classes for religious reasons. What is Wentworth's policy for this?

  You can review the policy here: Policy on Religious Observances and Accommodations. 

• I was absent in the past. Can I still have a notification sent to my faculty?

  No. The Dean of Students office will not send absence notifications retroactively. If a student's absence happened in the past, they should talk with their faculty and/or meet with a support specialist for guidance.

• Do I need to submit documentation to prove that I need to be absent?

  Please do not send the Dean of Students Office any medical documentation, obituaries, letters, etc. We do not require any documentation to verify your absence.

• I have an injury (concussion, broken bone, etc.). Can an Absence Notification be sent for this?

  If you anticipate missing classes for more than a day due to this injury, yes! You should also contact Accessibility Services (access@wit.edu), as they assist students with temporary impairments. 

• Are there other campus partners I can reach out to for support?

  Yes!

  • For temporary impairments or a new diagnosis, you can reach out to Accessibility Services (access@wit.edu)
  • For mental health support, you can utilize the Wellness Center (counseling@wit.edu)
  • If you need help getting back on track, you can reach out to a Support Specialist in the Dean of Students Office (dos@wit.edu) or your Student Success Advisor (you can book a meeting with them on EAB Navigate).

• My absences have put me behind in class, and I need help. How can a Support Specialist help me?

  Support Specialists can facilitate communication between students and faculty. They can also meet with students to work with them and help them get back on track. For further assistance from a Support Specialist, please email dos@wit.edu.