Despite a handful of filed grievances, students and faculty say they have few problems with the university’s class attendance policy.

However, both groups said problems can crop up.

Faculty said students work hard to make it to class with no unexcused absences because of instructor’s attendance policies. In turn, faculty also understand their responsibility to students to show up to class, students said.

According to the ISU Student Information Handbook, students are expected to attend class meetings. Beyond that, instructors set their own policies concerning absences and excuses. It is the responsibility of the instructor to let the class know their policies at the start of a term.

Gregory Palermo, professor of architecture and chairman of academic affairs for the Faculty Senate, said he requires a doctor’s note if a student is sick. He said he thinks his policy is fair to students.

“It is particularly important to have verification for an absence for a class or another event, such as an exam,” Palermo said.

He said he also allows absences from exams for extreme emergencies. Examples include death of a family member, extreme illness, car accidents.

“I have relatively few petitioned absences — even in my lectures it is very unlikely to have students miss the exam,” Palermo said. “Maybe I am na‹ve, but I believe my students are reasonably honest about reasons for missing a class.”

Unlike Palermo, Steve Coon, associate professor of journalism and communication, does not require students to bring a note in if they are sick.

“I pretty much like the honor system,” he said. “I trust [students].”

Coon said he requires good attendance. If students have to be absent, they should let him know in advance so it will be excused, he said.

“If you start missing a lot of class, then you are not getting the benefit of class lectures, discussions and readings, and you are also not getting your money’s worth,” Coon said.

Dean of Students Pete Englin said students are mainly concerned about the definition of an excused absence.

Englin said some faculty allow a student to drop one test during the semester. Problems arise when students have an emergency situation during a test, but have already used their one drop on a test before it, he said.

Adam Granzow, junior in mechanical engineering, said he would like professors to provide a better way for students who are sick to get caught up.

“I don’t like it when I look at my syllabus and see that [a professor] won’t change a test for anything,” Granzow said. “If I got sick for a week, it would be hard to get caught up and have to take the test.”

Students said they are pleased with the attendance of their professors as well.

Mary Miller, junior in management, said she can’t remember when one of her teachers did not come to class.

“I think that each teacher should take a personal day,” Miller said. “It would be nice to have at least one more day off a semester, like the day before spring break.”

When a teacher does have to miss a class, students want to be notified before they go to class.

Coon said he tries to notify students via e-mail as soon as possible if he is unable to come to class. He said his responsibility is to be there, Coon said.

“If I can get out of bed, I can make it here,” he said.