2008 Woodie Awards
Who's counting? Professors take attendance
Alice DeBonis, Reporter
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
In a Jambar survey of 25 Youngstown State University professors, 68 percent said they figured a student's attendance into their grading system. Out of the same 25 professors questioned, 68 percent said they are willing to amend their attendance policy if a student has a legitimate reason for missing class.
Sophomore Julia O'Neal attends classes at YSU regularly, and said she hasn't missed any this semester. Even so, O'Neal doesn't think student attendance should be incorporated into overall grades. She said that other obligations outside of college can prevent a student from attending classes such as a job or family, and it wouldn't be fair.
"You don't know their circumstances … when they miss class," O'Neal said.
Mary Kay Bernat, who teaches communication at YSU, Butler County Community College in Hermitage, Pa., and Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., has no set attendance policy on her syllabuses.
"I handle situations on a case-to-case basis," Bernat said.
Although Bernat does not have an attendance policy, if a student misses a scheduled speech without contacting her, there may be repercussions on that particular grade.
"If they contact me ahead of time, there's latitude in it," she said.
Bernat doesn't believe in punishing for absenteeism, but she encourages attendance by rewarding students with in-class activity points.
She said she feels attendance is a key to success in college.
"There is a strong correlation with attendance and higher grades," Bernat said.
Sophomore Katie Bacha said she thinks it is important to attend class, but feels that non-attendance should only be a circumstance of grades. An example she gave was missing class lectures that are included in tests.
Although Bacha thinks that grading attendance shouldn't be formally applied, she said any attendance policy should be left up to professors.
The majority of the professors surveyed agreed with Bacha. Making up the majority, 88 percent of the 25 professors polled would not prefer a set university policy to an individual policy.
Maureen Vendemia, professor of health professions at YSU, was among those who would not prefer a university policy. She explained why.
"With so many different disciplines, I do not think it would work for everyone," Vendemia said.
Even though an attendance policy is left to the discretion of professors, on YSU's Web site, a procedure is provided for students on what to do if he or she misses three or more consecutive days of classes during a semester. A student should call the Office of Register and a notice will be issued to instructors. After returning to campus, the student should contact their professors regarding any makeup work or missed tests.
Sophomore Julia O'Neal attends classes at YSU regularly, and said she hasn't missed any this semester. Even so, O'Neal doesn't think student attendance should be incorporated into overall grades. She said that other obligations outside of college can prevent a student from attending classes such as a job or family, and it wouldn't be fair.
"You don't know their circumstances … when they miss class," O'Neal said.
Mary Kay Bernat, who teaches communication at YSU, Butler County Community College in Hermitage, Pa., and Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., has no set attendance policy on her syllabuses.
"I handle situations on a case-to-case basis," Bernat said.
Although Bernat does not have an attendance policy, if a student misses a scheduled speech without contacting her, there may be repercussions on that particular grade.
"If they contact me ahead of time, there's latitude in it," she said.
Bernat doesn't believe in punishing for absenteeism, but she encourages attendance by rewarding students with in-class activity points.
She said she feels attendance is a key to success in college.
"There is a strong correlation with attendance and higher grades," Bernat said.
Sophomore Katie Bacha said she thinks it is important to attend class, but feels that non-attendance should only be a circumstance of grades. An example she gave was missing class lectures that are included in tests.
Although Bacha thinks that grading attendance shouldn't be formally applied, she said any attendance policy should be left up to professors.
The majority of the professors surveyed agreed with Bacha. Making up the majority, 88 percent of the 25 professors polled would not prefer a set university policy to an individual policy.
Maureen Vendemia, professor of health professions at YSU, was among those who would not prefer a university policy. She explained why.
"With so many different disciplines, I do not think it would work for everyone," Vendemia said.
Even though an attendance policy is left to the discretion of professors, on YSU's Web site, a procedure is provided for students on what to do if he or she misses three or more consecutive days of classes during a semester. A student should call the Office of Register and a notice will be issued to instructors. After returning to campus, the student should contact their professors regarding any makeup work or missed tests.
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