Student Absence Verification

Requests for Absence Verification

Students who miss class due to bereavement, medical concerns including COVID*, military activity, legal obligations, or university-sponsored events must provide the Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) with official and verifiable documentation related to the absences within 14 days and complete an online Student Absence Verification Request. 

Once the absence has been verified, the DOS will communicate on your behalf to your professor(s). Please note that our office only verifies documentation and it is at the discretion of your professor(s) or their department's policy to provide any accommodation. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the professor(s). Students who select an option (bereavement, medical concerns, etc.) that does not match the presenting concern and supporting documentation will be rejected.  

DOS will not seek to verify an absence due to pre-planned vacations, trips, weddings, graduations, or non-NJIT activities.

Please note: Students who have missed or anticipate missing more than two (2) weeks of classes must contact dos@njit.edu directly.  In addition, DOS may not be able to verify absences in excess of three (3) weeks of missed classes in one semester.

*COVID 

Effective March 1, 2024, people who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to isolate for five days. Per the CDC, people with COVID-19 should stay home until they’ve been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. Students with COVID-19 must submit a letter from a medical professional or a positive test result. Photos of test strips cannot be accepted.

When entering a request, please add the day the student tested positive and the following day to account for the 24 hour period. Students seeking to extend their absence must submit new documentation from a medical provider. 

Religious Holidays

As a student, it is your responsibility to discuss with your professors before the religious holiday about missing class for that purpose. Make it a priority at the beginning of each semester to discuss this request with your professors so that they are aware that it may interfere with your class attendance and can make the necessary arrangements accordingly. 

They may also require you to see our office for verification in which you will need to provide documentation.

Verifiable Documentation

Documentation must be clear and concise and submitted as follows:

• Medical – Documentation must be provided on official letterhead, signed and dated by a licensed medical or mental health provider, including the dates of treatment and the student’s anticipated return date.  

• Bereavement/Death in the Family – Documentation should include an obituary, memorial service pamphlet, or other item that identifies the student as related to the deceased.

• Military/Legal Obligations – Only military orders or court papers will be accepted.

  • Military orders must be signed and dated by a commanding officer and include dates of departure and return.

  • Court papers for legal obligations, including jury duty and required court appearances, must be signed and dated by the court clerk/judge/lawyer verifying the student’s attendance including all applicable dates. 

• Religious Holiday - Documentation may include written materials describing the religious holiday or a calendar of religious holidays.

• University-sanctioned Travel - Documentation includes proof of the scheduled event, flight and or transportation itinerary, and proof of registration.