What are examples of unacceptable excuses?
Schedule your job and personal activities around the exam dates and/or schedule of your enrolled subjects, not vice versa.
As a responsible student who had enrolled in the course for a given schedule, if something is preventing you from studying, then consider taking to the guidance office staff or the college dean for counseling, and/or taking the course later.
Most unacceptable excuses are related to scheduling conflicts or poor planning, such as:
▶ “My boss needed me to come in early (or stay late) at work” - exam dates shown on this syllabus will not change; therefore, inform your boss well in advance that you will need to be on campus during these times
▶ “I have work during the class” - that's a schedule conflict – not an emergency. It is your responsibility to check that your enrolled subjects and work schedule do not conflict in schedules.
▶ “I will be out of town that day” – that’s a schedule conflict – not an emergency
▶ “I have an event to attend” – that’s another schedule conflict – not an emergency
▶ “I wasn’t feeling well” [without a medical certificate or validated letter from a parent/guardian] - we all have days when we aren’t feeling 100%; if you are feeling bad enough, then go to a medical clinic to get an excuse at some point before you return to class next time
▶ “My Grandfather is 95 years old and not doing well” – most 95-year-olds are in frail health: this doesn’t qualify
▶ “The roads were bad, and I couldn’t make it to campus”- I live in the boondocks. So if I can make it to school, you should too (a notable exception exists when the university itself is closed, which is rare)
▶ “There’s traffic” or “My car wouldn’t start” or “My car was in the repair shop” - leave for class early on exam days in case a delay happens; if you cannot drive yourself, take a bus/taxi or ask somebody else for a ride well in advance
▶ “I forgot the exam (or quiz or class) was today” – this lame excuse obviously doesn’t qualify for a makeup exam or quiz or an excuse from the activity.
▶ “I overslept and was not able to attend class and work on the activities” – this is another lame excuse that doesn’t qualify for a makeup exam or quiz or an excuse from the activity.
▶ “I’m doing house chores during class schedule” – everyone does house chores. It’s good that you’re helping out but this does not qualify as it is not an emergency
▶ “I had errands to run.” – This does not count unless the errand is an emergency with supporting documents.
