Policy
http://bulletin.uga.edu/bulletin/ind/attendance.html

Implementation
Generally, it is the responsibility of each instructor to enforce this policy. If the instructor requires certification of the legitimacy of the absence, the Vice President for Student Affairs will write a letter on behalf of the student if the reason is determined legitimate.

University System policy prohibits the institution from scheduling registration periods or the first day of class on a religious holiday.

In addition, the university asks faculty members for understanding of recognized religious holidays. For example, the university asks faculty members for understanding of Jewish students missing classes and other academic commitments on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and to allow students in this situation to make up the work that is missed or, at the instructor’s discretion, be given an alternative assignment in lieu of the work missed. Such assignments may be given or completed prior to the date of absence.

Similarly, faculty members should also be cognizant of other major religious holidays, including but not limited to Diwali (Hindu), Eid al Adha (Islam), Eid al Fitr (Islam), Good Friday (Christian) and Passover (Jewish). Please consult a resource such as http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/ for a more comprehensive list of religious observances as well as for specific dates of each holiday.

Implementation
The academic calendar is set by the President or his or her designee. It is the responsibility of those constructing the calendar to avoid scheduling registration periods or the first day of class on religious holidays.

Approval of such absences will be granted only if the instructor receives written notice from the student at least one week in advance of the religious holiday. It is the responsibility of the instructor and student to determine the conditions under which work will be made up when a student misses class or other academic obligations because of a religious holiday. The Vice President for Student Affairs and the Vice President for Instruction will remind the faculty each year near the beginning of the fall term of university policy in this area.

The University recognizes the importance of civic duty, especially voting and jury duty.

Classes are not canceled on election day(s).  Students who are registered to vote in close proximity to campus should vote before, between, or after classes.  Students who are registered elsewhere should obtain absentee ballots.  If unavoidable circumstances intervene, students shall not be penalized for missing a class in order to exercise their right to vote.

Faculty members must provide students with reasonable accommodations for making up graded work missed while on jury duty.

It is the student’s responsibility to resolve absence issues with the instructor.  Students who receive treatment at the University Health Center will receive verification of the date and time of their visit to the Health Center.  No medical “excuses” are provided.  Only instructors have the authority to excuse students from class.  Students who receive treatment from a community health care provider should seek verification of their visit from that provider.

Air Force headquarters is aware of UGA’s semester completion dates and will not assign students to early summer encampments. If a mistake should be made, adjustments would be made so that students could complete their exams. This is consistent with Air Force ROTC policy that its participants are students first and cadets second.