Illnesses and injuries happen. When you can't attend class, taking care of your health and communicating with your instructors are key to staying on track.
What should I do if I'm too sick or injured to attend class?
Step 1: Prioritize your health.
Rest and recover, and if you have a contagious illness, stay home to reduce the risk of spreading infection to others on campus.
Step 2: Review your course syllabus and contact your instructors.
Check your syllabus for attendance requirements and instructions for reporting absences. Notify your instructors as soon as possible to discuss how you can make up missed coursework.
When contacting your instructors, include the dates you expect to miss and any questions about assignments or deadlines.
Can I get a sick note from the University Health Center?
The University Health Center cannot provide appointment documentation to excuse class absences. This helps protect patient confidentiality, encourages appropriate use of health care services, and supports direct communication between students and their instructors.
Students should review their course attendance policies and communicate directly with instructors about missed classes.
What is UNL's class attendance policy?
Each instructor establishes attendance requirements for their courses, which should be outlined in the course syllabus. Instructors generally determine whether an absence is excused and what arrangements can be made for missed coursework.
Students are responsible for communicating with instructors and meeting course requirements, even when an absence is excused. Instructors may request additional information to verify an absence.
For more information, review the UNL Faculty Senate Class Attendance Policy.
What if I need help communicating with my instructors?
If a serious illness, injury, or medical emergency prevents you from contacting your instructors, the Office of Student Advocacy and Support may be able to assist with a formal absence notification.
Formal notifications are generally intended for emergencies or other critical circumstances, such as hospitalization, rather than routine or short-term illnesses. For absences lasting fewer than three days, students should generally communicate directly with their instructors.
An absence notification informs instructors of your circumstances but does not automatically excuse an absence. Students are still responsible for contacting their instructors and arranging to make up missed coursework.
Learn more about absence notifications and request support.
What if I have an ongoing health condition that affects my attendance?
Students with chronic health conditions or disabilities that may affect class attendance can contact Services for Students with Disabilities to learn about accommodations and support.