Individual course attendance policies are at the discretion of each individual instructor and may be a component of students’ final grades. The Department of Student Advising & Success cannot issue formal excuses for missed classes.
With regard to absence due to religious observance, Babson College welcomes and values people's religions and perspectives and respects the interests of all members of our community. Babson recognizes the breadth of religious observance among students, faculty, and staff, and the potential for conflict with scheduled components of the academic experience. Students are expected to review their syllabi and notify faculty members as early in the semester as is possible about conflicts between course requirements and religious observances. In such an event, consistent with Massachusetts law set forth below, instructors will provide reasonable accommodations that do not unduly disadvantage students.
"Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which he may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his availing himself of the provisions of this section."
–Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151c, Section 2b
The Athletics Department has an early-notification system for students involved in scheduled intercollegiate athletic competitions. Students involved in Babson’s intercollegiate athletic program receive the dates of scheduled games/competitions as early as possible in the semester (ideally within the first week or 10 days of the term). Student-athletes must then notify their professors of any conflicts between scheduled classes or major class events (presentations, etc.) and athletic contests. Babson College strongly urges faculty members to exercise a reasonable degree of flexibility and understanding in providing excused absences based upon these conflicts (for those students who have provided the necessary conflict information early in the semester). Through early notification and flexibility, Babson College hopes to provide students with the opportunity to fully participate in both the College’s academic program and its intercollegiate athletic programs.
Babson’s class attendance policy in cases of religious observance or intercollegiate athletic competitions in no way excuses students from meeting the academic demands of the course. Professors will determine the work and time frame that will most fairly makeup for the missed class time and assignments.