All students are expected to attend classes regularly. Absence for whatever reason, including participation in a site visit or other school related activity, does not relieve a student from responsibility for any part of the work covered in the class during the period of absence. Instructors are encouraged to include their attendance policy in the course syllabus.
Storm and Emergency Conditions (excerpted from the GSD Local Emergency Management Report)
In the event of inclement weather conditions or other types of emergencies,
students and faculty should check the following sites for information
regarding the status class meetings for a given day:
The GSD Hotline: 617-495-1039
Harvard's homepage: www.harvard.edu,
the GSD's homepage: www.gsd.harvard.edu,
or the portal, my.gsd.harvard.edu.
Global email to all students, faculty and staff
Harvard's "special conditions" line: 617-496-NEWS (6396)
There are three options for class schedules and facilities closings in the case of weather or other types of emergencies: regular class schedule, modified class schedule and rare occasions when classes are cancelled and facilities are closed. The associate deans, in consultation with the dean and department chairs where possible, will specify which type of schedule applies. Every effort is made to keep Gund Hall open. The library, computer resources, woodshop and staff offices may be closed, while the studio trays remain open.
Regular Class Schedule: Faculty members are expected to hold classes as scheduled. If they cannot get to work due to emergency conditions or school/child care closings, instructors should notify their academic departments and TAs and, if possible, send an email to all students in their classes.
Modified Class Schedule: Faculty members are expected to hold class if they are teaching that day unless they determine that getting to the school would pose health and/or safety risks. Make-up classes should be scheduled when possible.
Classes Cancelled, Facilities Closed: On rare occasions such as a state of emergency declared by the governor, or a University-wide emergency declared by the president or provost, it is likely that most University buildings would be closed, including Gund Hall.
Absences for Religious Holidays
A student who is absent from a review or examination as a consequence
of his or her religious belief "shall be provided with an opportunity
to make up such examination..." (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter
151C, Sec. 2B).
It is the responsibility of the student to inform instructors of conflicts
caused by religious holidays. If conflicts are unavoidable, students
who will miss a review or examination for religious reasons shall be
offered an opportunity to make up the work, without penalty, unless
it can be demonstrated that such a makeup opportunity would constitute
an "unreasonable burden" on the faculty. Students must request
this accommodation during the first week of classes, or whenever the
dates of exams or reviews are announced.