Purpose
Regular attendance and active participation are essential components of professional veterinary medical education. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum at Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM) is designed to promote the acquisition of knowledge, clinical reasoning, professional behaviors, communication skills, and hands-on competencies that cannot be fully replicated through independent study.
Attendance at scheduled educational activities reflects professionalism and is expected of all students.
Attendance Requirements
Attendance at all required educational activities is mandatory unless otherwise specified. Required educational activities include, but are not limited to:
- Orientation programs
- Lectures
- Laboratories
- Clinical skills sessions
- Small-group learning activities
- Case-based learning sessions
- Tutorials
- Examinations
- Workshops
- Field visits
- Community outreach activities
- Other educational experiences designated by the University
Attendance requirements apply to activities conducted both on-campus and off-campus.
Minimum Attendance Requirement
Students must maintain at least 90% attendance in each course. Approval of an absence does not, by itself, waive the course attendance or competency requirements; any make-up work or exception must be confirmed by the Course Director and Dean.
Students whose attendance falls below 90% in any course may be:
- Prohibited from sitting for the final examination;
- Required to complete additional remediation activities; and/or
- Assigned a failing grade ("F") for the course.
The final determination shall be made by the Course Director in consultation with the Dean and the Promotions and Progress Review Committee.
Students who fail a course due to inadequate attendance may be required to repeat the entire course and satisfy all attendance requirements during the repeat offering.
Excused Absences
The University recognizes that circumstances may occasionally prevent attendance.
Excused absences may be granted for:
- Personal illness or medical emergencies
- Family emergencies
- Bereavement
- Jury duty or legal obligations
- Religious observances
- Approved University activities
- Other exceptional circumstances approved by the Dean
Students must notify the appropriate faculty member and the Office of Student Affairs as soon as reasonably possible and provide supporting documentation when requested.
Granting of excused absences remains at the discretion of the University.
Orientation Attendance
Attendance officially begins on the first day of Orientation.
Students who fail to register and participate in Orientation activities without prior approval may be recorded as absent.
Students are responsible for completing all required registration procedures before attending classes.
Responsibility for Attendance Monitoring
Students are responsible for monitoring their own attendance and ensuring compliance with attendance requirements.
Attendance records maintained by the University are considered the official record.
Students may request verification of attendance records through the Registrar's Office.
Attendance information may be released to governmental agencies, licensing bodies, accreditation agencies, and other authorized organizations when required.
Tardiness
Students are expected to arrive on time for all educational activities.
A student arriving more than ten (10) minutes late may be marked tardy or absent at the discretion of the faculty member.
Repeated tardiness may be considered unprofessional behavior and may result in referral to the Office of Student Affairs or the Promotions and Progress Review Committee.
Students must be present for all required portions of scheduled instructional activities to receive attendance credit.
Attendance Integrity
Students must accurately represent their own attendance.
The following behaviors are prohibited:
- Signing attendance for another student
- Requesting another student to sign attendance on one's behalf
- Falsifying attendance records
- Any attempt to misrepresent attendance
Such actions constitute professionalism violations and may result in disciplinary action.
Classroom Conduct and Technology Use
The use of personal electronic devices, including laptops and tablets, is permitted for educational purposes unless otherwise restricted by the instructor.
Students must ensure that device usage does not disrupt teaching activities or interfere with the learning environment.
Faculty members may restrict or prohibit electronic device usage when deemed necessary for educational purposes.
Food and beverages may be restricted in classrooms, laboratories, and clinical skills facilities based on safety and operational requirements.
Recording of Educational Activities
Video recording, photography, screen capture, or distribution of instructional materials is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained from the instructor and the University.
Audio recording may be permitted at the discretion of the instructor.
Unauthorized distribution, publication, posting, sharing, or commercial use of recorded educational content is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
Student Feedback and Faculty Evaluation
Students are expected to participate in course and faculty evaluations.
Faculty evaluations are confidential and anonymous and provide an important mechanism for constructive feedback, quality improvement, and continuous enhancement of the educational program.
Concerns regarding teaching quality, professionalism, or the learning environment should be communicated through established University processes.
Clinical Year Attendance
Students participating in fourth-year clinical rotations must comply with the attendance policies and requirements of the affiliated clinical institution.
Students must follow both XUSOVM and affiliate requirements. If requirements appear incompatible, the student must obtain written guidance from the Clinical Year Coordinator before proceeding.
Failure to comply with clinical attendance requirements may result in remediation, failure of the rotation, delay in graduation, or other academic actions.
Professional Responsibility
Attendance is considered a component of professional conduct.
Repeated absences, tardiness, failure to communicate appropriately regarding absences, or disregard for attendance policies may be considered professionalism concerns and may be reviewed by the Promotions and Progress Review Committee.
Policy Contact
Dean of Student Affairs
Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine