Bereavement-Related Class Absence Policy

The university community recognizes the impact that the loss of a family member or loved one may have on the emotional and academic well-being of a student.

In such circumstances, a student may request that a bereavement absence notification be sent to their faculty by contacting either the Department of Disability Access and Advising or the dean’s office of the college of their major, who will send an e-mail to the student’s faculty stating that the student is away from the university due to the death of a family member or loved one. Documentation that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program, death notice, obituary, etc.) and the nature of the student’s relationship to the deceased may be requested.

The university encourages allowances for the grieving process, while acknowledging the faculty member’s right in determining the terms of variance from the course syllabus. The student is expected to take the initiative to make all arrangements for meeting academic requirements. The university community also encourages students affected by a loss to contact the IUP Counseling Center or other university and community resources, as appropriate, if they are in need of ongoing emotional support.