Attendance
Students may miss one class per semester without penalty; a second absence can result in a full grade deduction; three or more absences may lead to an additional grade reduction or automatic failure. Additional notes on WISLI’s Attendance Policy are as follows:
- Pre-program requests for absences cannot be granted.
- All absences must be communicated with WISLI program staff.
- Students must pass the first four weeks to advance to the next semester.
- No incomplete grades will be given.
- Absences on exam or presentation days result in failure of the assignment without an opportunity for make-up.
- Emergency, “excused” absences are considered on a case-by-case by both the instructor and program staff and may require additional documentation.
- Remote participation in an in-person class due to illness or travel is not permitted.
- Class sessions may not be recorded.
Tardiness
Tardiness is arriving more than 5 minutes late to a two-hour class session (each day of class consists of two blocks of time, 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 12:00-2:00 p.m. (CDT).
Excessive tardiness is arriving more than 10 minutes late to any session. Tardiness in excess of 30 minutes will be considered an absence for the 2-hour session. In instances of repeated tardiness:
- Three instances of tardiness will result in a warning. A fourth instance of tardiness will require a meeting with an Academic Director.
- Three instances of excessive tardiness (arriving more than 10 minutes late but less than 30) will be counted as one absence for the 2 hours.
- Repeated tardiness in excess of 30 minutes will be subject to the WISLI absence policy.
- Continued tardiness or excessive tardiness may result in further penalty or dismissal.
External Commitments
WISLI is an intensive program, and we encourage students to budget approximately 8 hours per day for their language studies, including four hours per day of class time and about four hours per day of external study. As such, it can be challenging to maintain the same commitment to external obligations during the traditional academic year.
Such responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Doctoral research
- Part-time or full-time employment
- Part-time or full-time caregiving responsibilities
- Recurring appointments
- Any other activity which limits your ability to devote the adequate time necessary (approximately 8 hours per day) to succeed in this program
For other circumstances, such as unexpected events or illnesses, or anything else which will not overall impact or hinder your participation in the program, we are happy to work with you to establish reasonable accommodations.