There are several scenarios that could lead to you being absent from classes or homework. The guidelines presented on this page pertain to minor issues like short-term illnesses.
Major Problems
If you're facing major problems, it's crucial to contact your instructor ASAP to devise a suitable plan, which may require one or a series of in-person oral defense exams with your instructor during the final period.
Examples of major problems would be:
Extended illness
Serious injury
Serious family problems
We may ask you to provide documentation (e.g. a doctor's note). You should typically be working with SDRC, your advisor, and/or the Dean of Students office. The Dean of Students office can be especially useful in situations where you are unable to personally notify your instructors (e.g., you are in hospital). They can also offer confirmation of any issues you may be facing where you prefer not to disclose all the details to the class staff.
Missed Lecture and Research Participation
Notice that attendance is not recorded for lectures in Weeks 1 and 2. While making up these sessions is not required, attending them is recommended to learn the NLP fundamentals.
If you are unable to attend a lecture in any given week, you can make up for the weekly participation credit by discussing the assigned paper during my office hours. This must be done within one week of the missed lecture. You are allowed to make up lectures in this manner up to three times without any justification.
For additional absences beyond this limit, credit cannot be obtained in this way unless there is a major issue (e.g., extended illness, serious injury, serious family problems). In such cases, you should contact the instructor and follow the protocols outlined in the major problems section.