Students should request an Absence Policy Criteria Review to determine if their absence meets policy criteria. A review is only necessary if the student is missing or will miss an assignment deadline, exam or quiz, clinic rotation, mandatory course attendance, or any other required graded assessment activity per the course syllabus due to:
- Illnesses
- Accidents
- Emergencies
- Bereavement (Depending on situation+)
- Other extenuating and unforeseen circumstances out of the student’s direct control (see Student Handbook for more details).
There are two steps that must be completed, within 24 hours of occurrence unless incapacitated*, to request an Absence Policy Criteria Review:
- Notify faculty as per course syllabus requirements (phone, email, text, etc.)
- Complete an Absence Policy Criteria Review Request Form completely.
If you have any question about the policy or the process, please feel free to contact the Dean of Students at DOS@sonoran.edu.
NOTE: The Dean of Students only reviews the request to determine if it meets the criteria of the policy. Additional documentation may be required to make a determination. However, meeting policy criteria does not guarantee that the absence is excused. Course objectives and requirements are identified in the course syllabus. Faculty make the final determination in how and if those objectives can be met, including the potential to complete any missed items.
If your illness is determined to be transmittable due to symptoms, you may also be placed on an Illness Quarantine Protocol. Students placed on quarantine must remain off campus until released by the Dean of Students.
*Incapacitation occurs when a student is completely impaired, helpless, and unable to perform any functions for themselves or mentally make any decisions or interact with others. Incapacitation may also occur when student is physically restricted from any means of communication with the school due to occurrences such as hospitalization, communications blackout due to natural disaster, or similar physical restrictions not under direct control of the student.
+Bereavement is limited to three days. Please identify the situation with the Dean of Students in your request. Notification to DOS may exceed 24 hour time limit depending on the situation.
^ Transmittable Illness Quarantine Protocol consists of two parts:
1. Students should stay home, if ill, for at least a period 24 hours. You must notify the Dean of Students of your illness through the Absence Criteria Review Request form, and their course faculty, and will be placed on Illness Quarantine Protocol, if you are exhibiting any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (>100F or >38C) or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestions or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Note: Some students with mild symptoms may continue to participate in virtual sessions, if available, with faculty’s direct permission, especially regarding clinic rotations.
2. Students placed on quarantine may return to campus by verifying with the Dean of Students that they meet both of the following criteria:
- Symptom-free for 24 hours (diminished or reduced do not count).
- Negative COVID-19 test. (At home tests are sufficient.)