Issuing Office

Registrar's Office

Affected Parties

Students

Policy Language

Regular attendance in courses is expected throughout the length of the term. The U.S. Department of Education requires that every university monitor the attendance of their students. Liberty University uses the following definitions* in determining student attendance which includes, but is not limited to:

Resident: Physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students, submitting an academic assignment (in Learning Management System or disparate system); 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.

Online: Any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion board posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject.

*These definitions are based upon the delivery format of the course and not the student’s enrollment status (online versus on-campus).

Policy Rationale

None specified

Definition of Glossary Terms

None specified

Procedures

Students who begin a course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of "FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance), dated to the student’s last date of attendance (based on the definitions provided above). A grade of "FN" will be assigned when a student stops attending and/or participating in a class for a period of 21 consecutive days or longer. "FN" indicates that the student ceased attendance and failed to complete the course objectives.

The student alone assumes responsibility for course work missed from non-attendance. If a student receives all FN’s in a term, he/she is subject to the Unofficial Withdrawal procedure that includes the reduction and/or return of all Financial Aid. Students are fully responsible for all resulting charges on their student account. To review the entire Financial Aid Withdrawal policy, go to www.liberty.edu/fapolicies.

Military students who have received advanced notification orders are required to provide documentation for their military-related absence two weeks prior to the absence when feasible; however, students should turn-in documentation as soon as the orders are received. Whenever possible, students are required to be proactive by turning in pre-assigned coursework before their military-related absence begins. In the event of a short notice military obligation (e.g., State Active Duty, emergency mobilization, rescheduled training assembly, etc.), students must notify faculty members as soon as possible. Faculty are encouraged to provide students with alternative deadlines if military obligations predicate the need for short-term absences in online courses. Students are subject to unofficial withdrawals for extended absences.

Sanctions

None specified

Exceptions

None

Date of Last Review

8/26/2021