Policy Statement
Morehouse College recognizes that students may occasionally miss class due to circumstances beyond their control. In such cases, students may request an excused absence by submitting appropriate documentation within five (5) calendar days of the absence.
Excused absences will only be granted for the following:
- Illness or medical treatment
- Court appearances
- Funerals
- Military obligations
- Verified family emergencies
- College-sponsored events and official business
No excuses will be issued for reasons such as work obligations, oversleeping, car trouble, public transportation issues, or personal errands. Excused absences are not issued during summer sessions.
Important: Documentation must be submitted within 5 calendar days of the absence. No class excuses are issued during summer sessions
Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Documentation
| Excuse Type |
Acceptable |
Unacceptable |
| Illness |
- Doctor’s note, hospital discharge papers, or signed physician’s statement (must be dated & official).
- Physician’s Appointment – Verification slips with date/time from provider.
|
- Screenshots or photos of a COVID-19 test. You must seek medical treatment.
- Photos of your injury without physician documentation.
- Unsigned/undated doctor’s notes or unverifiable documentation.
- Documentation dated outside of the dates of absence
- Screenshots of text messages to your instructor
|
| Court Appearance |
- Court summons, subpoena, or notice of appearance.
|
- Screenshots of ticket without receipt of appearance
|
| Bereavement |
- Program, obituary, or letter from funeral home verifying attendance/relationship.
|
- Screenshot of flight confirmation without acceptable documentation
|
| Military Obligation |
- Deployment notice, official orders, or letter from commanding officer.
|
|
| Family Emergency |
- Hospital documentation, verification from an authority.
|
- Excuses from family members without official verification.
- Screenshots of your travel itinerary, flight confirmations, or delays without official documentation of a Family Emergency.
|
| Official College Business |
- Conference or Event with Dean/Faculty/Staff (proof of registration including name and dates)
- Written verification from Morehouse personnel.
- Verification from College department, faculty, or staff.
|
- Travel delays not related to official College business.
- Personal errands or convenience-related absences.
- Screenshots of your travel itinerary, flight confirmations or delays without official documentation as College Business
- Self-written notes from students
|
| Other |
- Letter from Mental Health or Counseling Services
|
- Work obligations (letters from employers, job conflicts). This is not an excused absence.
- Public transportation delays/problems.
- Automobile breakdowns/trouble
|