Absence notifications
A page within Student Life
Student Life Absence Notifications
We hope to empower students at UWL to make effective decisions regarding their own health and wellbeing and to communicate these decisions to faculty and staff. Absence notifications advocate for students who experience events outside of their control and may need to leave the University for an extended period of time. The Student Life Office encourages communication between students and instructors about class absences and missed assignments.
Our office encourages students to reach out to their instructors about how their absence may affect their success in a course. We encourage the following in communication between instructors and students:
- Open and honest communication about the nature of the absence, the length, and reason for absence
- Once an absence is known, students should email instructors immediately
- Follow-up communication is also encouraged (e.g. instructor office hours, reminders before/after class periods, etc.)
- Faculty reserve the right to accept or deny absence requests to reserve the integrity of their individual course
- If faculty require verification, they may ask the student to bring any information needed
Please view the University Class Attendance Policy for more information.
Absence Notifications
Student Life Absence Notifications are for students experiencing emergency physical/mental health concerns, family emergencies, or unexpected events and will be gone for three (3) or more days. We will send out information about your absence to your instructors.
Please call the Student Life Office at 608-785-8062 to tell us about your situation.
Important things to know about absence notifications:
- Absence notifications do not serve as excused absences, as excused absences are at the discretion of each instructor
- Students will need to work with their instructors to discuss any missed assignments, quizzes, or exams
- Student Life staff encourage follow-up after a student returns to UWL to get connected to appropriate campus resources
- Please provide as much detail as possible. We do not verify absences; however, want to be sure we advocate appropriately for you. Please note that your instructors may request verification on a case-by-case basis.
The Student Life Office will not send notifications for extended vacations, conference attendance, university-sanctioned events/trips, etc. Students are encouraged to work with their faculty to determine how to navigate these absences.
Absence Notifications Examples
Absence notifications are meant for situations that are unexpected and require students to be away from classes for an extended period of time, more than three (3) days.
Students may be absent for the following reasons:
- Physical and mental health concerns
- Emergency surgeries
- Bodily injury
- Severe illness
- Concussions
- Hospitalizations
- Treatment at outside La Crosse area facilities
- Family and personal emergencies
- Death in the family
- Death of close family friend
- Funeral services
- Hospitalization of family or friend
This list is not inclusive as we recognize that there are many more reasons why students are away from classes. Please consult with Student Life staff by calling 608-785-8062.
If you or a friend are in distress, please feel free to look at the other services offered for support:
