Attendance and Punctuality

  1. Attendance and punctuality are mandatory for all courses at Syracuse Madrid.
  2. Course-related field trips are mandatory to attend, and some may take place during non-class hours or on weekends, as indicated in the syllabus.
  3. Absences:
  • Attendance is required from the first day of class. Students who fail to attend may be academically withdrawn.
  • After two absences (or one in 3-hour classes), each additional absence reduces the final grade by one-third of a letter grade (e.g., A → A-, A- → B+, B+ → B).
  • Six absences (or three in 3-hour classes) result in an automatic F, as the course cannot be considered completed.
  • Failure to participate in a mandatory course-related field trip and activities count as a class absence.
  • Absences from overnight field trips may be counted as double, at the professor’s discretion.
  • As discussed in the pre-departure orientation and in-person orientation, personal trips do not excuse students from mandatory course-related field trips and activities. In case of conflicting trips, mandatory field trips take precedence, and students are required to rearrange their personal travel plans at their own expense.
  • Personal travel inside or outside of Madrid during class sessions is considered an absence. All personal trips, personal appointments and visits with family and friends should be organized so as not to impact class attendance.
  • Only documented medical emergencies may excuse an absence. Approval must come from SU Madrid Student Life Assistant for Wellness (Raquel Perea, rparenas@syr.edu). A medical note from the Syracuse Madrid nurse or one of our approved hospitals must be submitted within 24 hours. Only the time specified on the note will be excused unless bed rest is prescribed. Repeated absences, even with documentation, may require a meeting with Student Life and Academics Office.
  • Non-health-related absences are rare and must be documented by the student and approved by the Academic Office in advance.

      4. Faculty will use Early-Semester Progress Reports (ESPR) and Mid-Semester Progress Reports (MSPR) in Orange SUccess to alert the Registrar and Financial Aid Office on non-attendance. More information regarding Orange SUccess can be found here.