In a university-wide email sent on September 12, 2023 by the Vice Provost for Academic Innovation and Faculty Affairs David Zheng, Stevens informed both students and faculty alike that recordings for students who missed classes will no longer be provided. Previously, if students were unable to attend their classes due to short-term illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19, they received recordings of their classes. This provided students, although sick, a way to still follow their course schedule and learn the new material taught during class. Now, the university has announced that it will be halting this practice.
In addition to the announcement above, Stevens has also clarified that students are not required to present any sort of documentation to prove an illness and that faculty are not permitted to request it either. However, if students have a circumstance in which they need to miss class, it is the responsibility of the student to bring it up to their instructor. It is then up to the instructor to determine if the student who missed class is allowed to make up any missed assignments. Zheng also explained in the email that absences do not relieve students from the responsibility of completing any requirements for the courses they are enrolled in including assignments, exams or projects.
While recordings aren’t released to students with short-term illnesses, students with short-term or long-term disability, including chronic illness, must provide documentation to the Office of Disability Services in order to receive appropriate accommodations. The director of the Office of Disability Services will then communicate directly with members of the faculty about the accommodations needed.
Both students and faculty are encouraged to reference the Office of Undergraduate Academics Policies and Procedures page should they have any questions or concerns or are in need of more information.
