Policy on Medical Excuses:

UWRF STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES DOES NOT PROVIDE EXCUSES FOR ABSENCES FROM CLASS.  The notifying of instructors and arranging of make-up work in cases involving absence of students from class are the responsibility of the student.  A student who is absent should notify instructors by phone, email, or in person of the absence as soon as possible.  In serious situations where the student is incapacitated and temporarily unable to contact faculty, family members may contact the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office (715/425-4444) for assistance with these matters.  This office then would provide notification (not verification) of the absence to the instructors involved.  The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office does not provide excuses for absences from class.  Arrangements for make-up work, make-up exams, or possible assignment adjustments are entirely the responsibility of the student.  Medical excuses will not be written by staff or providers at the River Falls Medical Clinic nor by UWRF Student Health Services staff.

For Instructors:

Dear Colleague:

Just as the University does not routinely require that its employees provide a written “medical excuse” for absences due to illness, most instructors do not demand that students provide “medical excuses” for their absences that are due to illness or injury.

It is, and has been for many years, the policy of UWRF Student Health Services to not provide such “excuses.” Our reasons are several, including increased costs incurred by Student Health Services for unnecessary office visits, that most illnesses or injuries are effectively and appropriately managed by self-care and do not require an office visit, and that we are committed to protecting student privacy. Our policy resembles those of many other universities. Also, our Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Mr. Gregg Heinselman, and our Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Connie Foster, support this policy.

This policy is respectful of students, promotes mature behavior in our campus community, and avoids inconvenience for students, instructors, and Student Health Services staff and River Falls Medical Clinic providers.

In serious situations where the student is incapacitated and temporarily unable to notify instructors of an absence due to illness or injury, the student’s family or Student Health Services may work with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office to provide notification (not verification) of the absence to instructors for the student.

Sincerely,

Alice Reilly-Myklebust, RN, MSN

UWRF Director of Student Health and Counseling Services

715-425-3293