UA Spanish department adjusts attendance policy to pre-pandemic standards – The Daily Wildcat


As COVID-19 lockdowns become a distant memory for many, some University of Arizona faculty are beginning to tighten attendance policies in an effort to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

One notable change is in the Spanish and Portuguese department, specifically the four-unit, four-day-a-week Spanish courses.

Cassidy Rees, Interim Director of the Spanish Language Program, Explained how attendance policies changed during the pandemic.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence and attendance policy was that students were allowed five absences for a four-day week of class,” reece Said. “Attendance was not mandatory for the entire year of 2021, at least for the autumn semester. In the spring, we adopted 10 excused absences to encourage more class attendance.

The 10-absence policy was in effect throughout the 2022-23 academic year. However, this year’s policy reduced the number of permitted absences. 10 days to six. After a student has missed six days of class, they will receive a 1% grade point deduction for additional days missed, up to a maximum of 20% deduction,

comes in lieu of policy change Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines are changing Regarding the period of separation.

reece Explained, “The number of days anyone testing positive for Covid must remain in isolation has been changed From day 10 to day five,” referring to CDC guidelines. The policy change is in keeping with “we are meant to return to pre-pandemic conditions as much as possible, even though COVID-19 is in many ways here to stay.”

The updated guidelines were not the only reason behind changing the attendance policy.

“Without regular participation in class and exposure to the language, students’ skill levels were significantly impacted,” Rees said. “We were actually seeing a significant decline in the number of students actually attending class when attendance was not mandatory. “I had classes that had the maximum number of students enrolled, and on some days there would sometimes be only three to six students.”

The policy goal of the department appears to be to find an acceptable balance between student welfare and student achievement.

“As faculty in charge of evaluating students who are on a path to development [their Spanish skills]“We want to make sure they’re getting as much exposure to the language as possible,” Rees said. “This is certainly not meant to penalize or create any barriers for students with life circumstances or health concerns.”

David Salafsky, Executive Director of Campus Health The impact of policies on students choosing whether or not to attend class when sick was discussed.

“It’s important to be judicious about sick days and make sure you save them for when you really need them. “I think most people would want to protect themselves and others by staying home, but I can see it going the other way when grades come into the mix.” Salafsky Said.

UA students who miss more than six days of Spanish classes due to illness or extenuating circumstances Students may appeal additional absences and extensions on assignments potentially without penalty to the Dean’s Office, Website advises students Report early absences and provide documentation for missing CLAS.S. In case of illness, it will be doctor’s note. these appeals Evaluation is done on a case-by-case basis.

“In the fall and cold and flu season, especially with COVID-19 in the mix, it is important that students remain protected [the] “How many days do they get to play, in terms of skipping class and making sure they’re doing everything they can for their health and well-being,” Salafsky said. “Get your flu vaccine every year, make sure you’re up to date on your COVID vaccines, make sure to get vaccinated against meningitis […] All the things we can control, those are the things we have to do.”

It is unclear whether other departments will follow the Spanish department and adjust their policies accordingly.

For those interested in taking preventative measures for cold and flu season, resources related to vaccination can be found here Campus Health Website.


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