The university recognizes the right of the individual professor to make attendance mandatory. After due warning, a professor can prohibit further attendance and subsequently assign a failing grade for excessive absences. Clearly communicate your attendance policy in your course syllabus. Absences count from the first class meeting. In general, acceptable reasons for absence from class include illness, serious family emergencies, special curricular requirements (e.g., judging trips, field trips, professional conferences), military obligation, severe weather conditions, religious holidays and participation in official university activities such as music performances, student government obligations, athletic competition or debate. Absences from class for court-imposed legal obligations (e.g., jury duty or subpoena) must be excused. Other reasons also may be approved. Students may be required to provide appropriate documentation to support their absences. However, an excused absence from class does not excuse a student from fulfilling class requirements.