Attendance Policy
The following policies govern student attendance at the English Language Center and apply to all enrolled students. It is the student's responsibility to understand and comply with these procedures.
ELC students will receive the Student Attendance Policy Contract in orientation. Students must read and sign this attendance policy. If a student has questions regarding the calculation of lateness and/or absences in a class, they must meet with the class instructor to discuss their attendance record.
International Gateway and other ELC students in credit-bearing university courses must also comply with Drexel University's Absence Policy in those courses.
Regular attendance is important to a student's performance in a class and is expected from the teachers. There are no excused absences.
New Student Late Arrival Policy
Full-term students: Full-term students must start class by the 5th day of class (typically, the first Friday of classes). Full-term students who miss more than four (4) days of class will not be admitted to the term. Each missed day of class counts as an absence.
Half-term students: Half-term students must start class by the 3rd day of class (typically, the first Wednesday of classes). Half-term students who miss more than two (2) days of class will not be admitted to the term. Each missed day of class counts as an absence.
SEVP Attendance Requirement
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, F-1 students must attend 80% of courses to maintain their "full-time" status. Students not meeting this requirement must return home or transfer to another school.
Religious Observances
Drexel University supports an environment that respects the religious observances of others and is committed to make every reasonable effort to accommodate the religious observances of students. Students should inform their instructors of any absences due to religious observances well in advance of the anticipated absence.
Please review the Religious Observance Statement for more information.
Medical Absences
Medical absences are included in this policy. If a student is absent because of illness, the absence is counted in the total number of absences accumulated.
If a student must be absent because of illness or a family emergency, they should speak with their teachers and complete any homework assignments. If a student has a serious medical condition, they should see the Associate Director of ELC Programs. The student may be required to submit a doctor's letter or other documentation in the case of a medical absence or a family emergency.