Attendance Policy

Overview and Philosophy
Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine requires attendance and participation in all educational activities. Attendance and participation are assessed and documented in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE, also known as the "Dean's letter")

Attendance and Punctuality Expectations
Students are required to arrive punctually to all PEARLS, small group, large group, and laboratory sessions as well as all clinical activities defined in the Initial Clinical Experience (ICE) and the Advanced Clinical Experience (ACE).  

Absence
Any request for either an anticipated or unanticipated absence from required sessions must be presented to the Office of Student Affairs.  Every request for absence will be considered, and each absence determined to be either excused or unexcused.   A limited number of reasons will justify excused absences.  These include, but are not limited to:

• an illness or personal emergency
• Specific pre-approved clinical activities (ICE and ACE) as detailed in the ICE/ACE course manuals
• Presentation or representation in a leadership capacity at regional or national professional meetings

Other reasons for an excused absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Process
The process for seeking approval for any absence is centralized within the Office of Student Affairs.  Requests must be sent as far in advance as possible to the Office of Student Affairs (specifically, to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs).  The request must include the date of and reason for the requested absence.  The student will then receive an email acknowledging receipt of the request, along with a determination of whether the requested absence is excused or unexcused. 

Failure to comply is considered a breach of professional responsibilities.   Students are responsible for the content of any missed sessions.

Absences beyond four in an academic year or greater than two within any vertical course are considered potentially excessive and will trigger an automatic review.  Any student who exceeds this threshold will be expected to confer with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and to potentially have these absences noted under the core competency of Professionalism.  He/ She may be referred to a Society Master to discuss strategies to help ensure student mastery of expected competencies. 

Requirements for Advancement
Certain activities are specifically required for advancement to the next year.  If these activities are missed, a make-up session will be required.