Class Attendance

There are no formal institutional regulations regarding class attendance at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The resources of the Institute are provided for the intellectual growth and development of the students who attend. A schedule of courses is provided for the students and faculty to facilitate an orderly arrangement of the program of instruction. The fact that classes are scheduled is evidence that attendance is important; students should, therefore, maintain regular attendance if they are to attain maximum success in the pursuit of their studies.

All students are responsible for obtaining an understanding of each instructor's policy regarding absences; all students are expected to attend announced quizzes, laboratory periods, and final examinations. Although it is recognized that occasionally it may be necessary for students to be absent from scheduled classes or laboratories for personal reasons, including major religious observances, students are responsible for all material covered in their absences, and they are responsible for the academic consequences of their absences. Students should discuss planned absences with their instructors as soon as possible after the beginning of an academic term. Work missed may be made up at the discretion of the instructors.

Notification of Absence:
Students can access BuzzPort to quickly notify their professor and/or TAs of an absence from class, whether anticipated or unanticipated. The notification form requires you to state: a brief explanation as why you were or will be absent from class and the dates of the absence. This does not serve as an “excuse” from class, and students are encouraged to discuss the absence with their professors, as the professor is the only person who can excuse an absence. Please click here for a Buzzport walkthrough.

Missing Classes for Personal Emergencies:
Students may need to miss classes due to personal emergencies such as being hospitalized, or being in a car accident. The Office of the Dean of Students can assist students with documented emergencies by contacting professors, on behalf of the student. For more information, please call the Office of the Dean of Students or complete the Request Assistance Form.

Institute Approved Activities

Students who are absent because of participation in approved Institute activities (such as field trips and athletic events) will be permitted to make up the work missed during their absences. Approval of such activities will be granted by the Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate, and statements of the approved absence may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Please click here for more information.