The LMU-CVM requires students to attend all laboratories, small group sessions, and clinical activities as scheduled. Attendance policies, including tardy policy, are outlined in the course syllabi. Lecture attendance for Semesters 3-6 is at the discretion of the Course Director. All learning events (lectures, laboratories, etc.) are mandatory in Semesters 1 and 2.
If a student must miss a mandatory session, students must notify the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions by submitting the Absence Request Form. If the request is approved, the student will contact course directors and exam services to schedule make-ups. Missed learning events may not be able to be made up, but the student is still responsible for the material. Requests for excused absences must be submitted prior to an absence, but if emergency or unforeseeable issues arise, students may inform the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions as soon as possible by email or through the Absence Request Form.
Reasons for absences that may be excused include medical concerns (own or of dependents), bereavement, military service, presentation at a conference, official governance position at a conference (note: conference attendance without formal responsibilities is not an excused absence), or religious holiday/special observance. Students must provide documentation for requests to be considered.
In case of absences that do not meet the above reasons, students may be granted up to 2 “personal discretion” absences per semester. These are for events such as weddings, dependents' special occasions, conference attendance, etc. that are not usually considered excused absences, not to take extra time to prepare for exams. Students should strive to avoid taking personal discretion absences during exams or active learning sessions (labs, group work, case-based learning, etc).
For personal discretion absences, the Absence Request Form must be approved at least 5 working days in advance. Personal discretion days may not be used on the day prior to or the day after a university holiday or on LMU-CVM sponsored special events except with special permission from the ADSAA.
Students in Semester 1 and Semester 2 of the program have mandatory attendance at all educational events. Students in these semesters are allowed 4 personal discretion absences, following the guidelines above for approval. Additionally, in courses under 3 credit hours, there may be no more than 2 events missed due to personal discretion absence.