Institutional Excuses

Overview

A Student Institutional Excuse (IE) may be granted to a student who participates in academic, research, extra- or co-curricular, athletic, or military service activities or because of anticipated acute medical, bereavement, or religious circumstances. Faculty are required to offer students an excuse from otherwise required academic activities when a valid IE is approved by the appropriate administrative official and presented to faculty within prescribed timelines.

Approval process

Details about our policy and process can be found in Northern Arizona University’s University Policy Library entry on Student Institutional Excuses. To ensure timely consideration, it is important that students review this policy before submitting a request.

Students requesting approval for any IE must complete and submit the online request form; more detailed instructions are provided as part of this form. To check on the status of a submitted request, please email the Office of the Dean of Students or call 928-523-5181.

Institutional Excuse types

Academic

Approved by the dean (or designee) of the relevant academic college, the academic Student Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who participate in anticipated i) curriculum-based, scheduled course activities outside of a normal class meeting time; or ii) academically-oriented or postgraduation career activities (e.g., conferences, research presentations, graduate school interviews, job interviews related to earned degrees).

Athletic

Approved by the Vice Provost for Academic Operations (or designee), the Athletic Student Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who participate in anticipated athletic events sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Extra- or Co-Curricular

Approved by the Dean of Students (or designee), the extra- or co-curricular Student Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who participate in anticipated sanctioned extracurricular or co-curricular events sponsored by student clubs and organizations.

Military

Approved by the Dean of Students (or designee), the military Student Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who must respond to official U.S. Department of Defense service orders or U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) medical treatment and related non-VA referrals.

Medical

Approved by the Dean of Students (or designee), the Medical Student Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who experience an anticipated significant medical event.

Bereavement

Approved by the Dean of Students (or designee), the Bereavement Student Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who experience the loss of a loved one and are unable to participate in their courses due to grief or needing to attend funeral services.

Religious

Approved by the Associate Vice President for Equity and Access (or designee), the Religious Institutional Excuse may be issued to students who must participate in anticipated religious observances and practices.