Some academic programs have specific attendance policies. These policies will be located in the course syllabus and addressed by instructors during course introductions. It is the student’s responsibility to properly withdraw from a class if required attendance cannot be maintained.
Coastal Pines Technical College considers class attendance to be a very important aspect of student success. Being absent from class prevents students from receiving the full benefit of a course and interrupts the learning process. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. Students are expected to complete all work required by the instructor, as described in the individual course syllabus.
Faculty will report any student who has not attended a physical class or participated in an online course by the 7th instructional day of the academic term. A student who does not meet the academically related activity standards during the designated no-show period will be Administratively Withdrawn from the course and reported as a "No Show". Any student who is not submitted as a no-show, or who does not self-withdraw by the withdrawal deadline for the term, will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F. All F grades will have a last date of attendance recorded and must be supported with an academically related activity.
For purposes of federal Title IV student financial assistance, the U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to be able to demonstrate that federal aid recipients established eligibility for federal aid by participating in academic-related activities for all enrolled coursework.
Academically related activities include, but are not limited to:
- physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students,
- submitting an academic assignment,
- taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction,
- attending a study group that is assigned by the school,
- participating in an online discussion about academic matters, and
- initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.
Academically related activities do NOT include activities where a student may be present, but not academically engaged, such as:
- participating in student life activities,
- logging into an online class without active participation, or
- participating in academic counseling or advising.
In a distance education environment, a student accessing their online class does not constitute an academically related activity. Academic participation in an online class is demonstrated by a student participating in class or being otherwise engaged in an academically related activity, such as:
- submitting an academic assignment,
- participating in an online discussion about academic matters, or
- taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction.
It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor for missed assignments due to documented absences related to jury or military duty, official college activities, or medical emergencies. Make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor, and students are encouraged to plan in advance when possible.
Distance Education Participation
Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) is committed to providing students the opportunity to access quality instruction online. Establishing a consistent and acceptable pattern of logging in and submitting work is considered an integral part of the total educational process. Employers who hire Technical College System of Georgia graduates consistently stress the importance of having a good punctuality record. Students are receiving an education for direct entry into the workforce. CPTC has the responsibility of attempting to instill in each student the importance of a good attendance and punctuality record. Because of this importance, an evaluation of participation is done in each course.
Students in distance education classes must complete an academic assignment within the first five (5) calendar days of the academic term. Students who fail to complete an academic assignment within five days will be considered a "No Show". Students enrolled in distance education classes should actively participate in class assignments as prescribed by the course syllabus and/or instructor. Students in Distance Education courses should follow the procedures for participation and withdrawal as outlined for all courses in the handbook.
Class Tardiness
Class tardiness procedures will vary by the course and/or program of study. This information will be located in the course syllabus and addressed by instructors during course introductions.
Assignments missed due to tardiness, early departure, or absences may be made up only at the discretion of the instructor or the procedure outlined in the course syllabus.
Programs Resulting in Licensure
A student who is enrolled in a program that requires licensure will be required to make up clinical hours in accordance with the program’s policy. Otherwise, the consent document to take the licensing or certification examination will not be signed by the instructor of that program. Students are responsible for reading and complying with attendance guidelines. Attendance regulations of programs in some fields that require licensure may exceed those of CPTC.