Engagement Policy

For online classes, IWU monitors “engagement” rather than “attendance.” In order to promote meaningful student learning and success, the expectation is that students will engage on a regular basis in their courses. Engagement is defined as submission of an assignment, posting in a discussion forum, or completion of a test or quiz. Students will receive a reminder after 14 consecutive days of no engagement and will be asked if they plan to complete the course. After 21 consecutive days of no engagement, students will be administratively withdrawn from the course. Withdrawals can have a negative impact on student financial aid and billing.

For onsite/face-to-face classes, absences are allowed as follows: Under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed up to one day of absence from a one week intensive.  Absence beyond this point constitutes failure to complete the course. Students need to contact the faculty member regarding make up work.

If a student exceeds the allowed absences and does not contact the Office of Student Success to withdraw officially before the last class session, the instructor is directed to issue the grade of “F”.

Faculty members reserve the right to factor lateness, early departures, and class attendance into a student’s grade, as long as it is addressed in the syllabus.

For onsite and face-to-face classes, students are expected to be present when class begins, and remain the entire session. To be counted present, a student must attend a total of three hours or more of a class that is four hours in length, four-and-a-half hours or more of classes that are six hours in length, and six hours for classes that are eight hours in length. Tardiness is recorded, and if a student accumulates two tardies during a course, it results in an absence on the student’s attendance record.

Students who must miss a course due to unavoidable circumstances must arrange for a temporary leave of absence with the Office of Student Success prior to the beginning of the course. Students needing to withdraw while in a course may do so by arrangement with the Office of Student Success prior to the end of the course, but the regular refund and academic withdrawal policies apply.