Attendance and Conduct Codes

Excerpts from 2006-07 Student Bulletin & Handbook of Policies
[from Attendance and Classroom Standards]

Class Attendance Policy

The Faculty reaffirms that it is the policy of UNM School of Law that students must be in “regular and punctual class attendance” in courses in which the students are registered, including Clinic Office hours. Each faculty member is authorized to enforce this rule in any manner that the faculty member deems appropriate (including but not limited to assigning a failing grade in the course, assigning a lower grade f or the course, or requiring a student to withdraw from the course with a grade of “WP” or “WF”), so long as the attendance requirements, the manner of taking attendance, and the penalties for excessive absences are clearly stated by the faculty member during the first week of class. In the case of an illness or emergency, students should contact the law school Assistant Dean for Registration or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who will notify the student’s instructors. The student is responsible for arranging for missed assignments, etc. Under certain circumstances of prolonged illness, or emergencies of a personal nature of a month or more in duration, a student, in good academic standing, may be encouraged to take a leave of absence.

Weather Policy

Should the weather become bad enough to cause a delay or school closure, the University will provide information to the local media, and place on UNM’s “Snow Hotline,” 277­SNOW. During the regular semester, if the University is on a two­hour delay, then all law classes will commence on a two­hour delay. If a school closure should occur, all law classes will be cancelled. Examination Period: if there is a delay or closure during examinations, the following procedures will be observed: Delay: if on a two­hour delay, morning examinations will begin at 10:00 a.m. The afternoon examinations will begin at the regularly scheduled time of 1:30 p.m.

School Closure: If a school closure should occur, the exams scheduled for that day will be rescheduled as “Self Scheduled Exams”. The student will schedule the exam with the law school Assistant Dean for Registration. The exam may be scheduled during the time remaining in the examination period and/or up through the first two weeks of school of the following semester.

Classroom Conduct

The instructor is responsible for all classroom conduct, behavior, and discipline. Any action that would disrupt or obstruct an academic activity is prohibited. Use of School of Law classrooms or other facilities during scheduled activities is limited to enrolled students and University personnel. Use of these facilities during nonscheduled periods should be arranged with the receptionist in the Dean’s Office of the School of Law. Smoking is prohibited in all classrooms and teaching laboratories, including seminars.