Rylee Meagan Reynolds
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) – As schools continue to shift back to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance policies have returned at Winthrop University, which has left some students frustrated and wanting change.

The current Winthrop attendance policy states that students shouldn’t miss more than 25 percent of the classes — or roughly six or seven classes per semester — which could result in failing the course.

However, professors are given a lot of freedom to interpret the rule or set their own policies and some students are displeased with this decision.

“I don’t think professors should have the option to choose. I feel like we should have a universal (policy), because some professors will let you miss one class, some will let you miss more than multiple times.” said Paige Watford, senior pre-law major.

Some students say the university should determine one specific rule covering how missing class can impact grades and how many risk free absences students should get.

“I just kind of wish we had a school-wide policy. I don’t think the current policy is fair,” junior Madison Ross said. “Well, me as a psychology major, I get like maybe three to four absences per class. My roommate, who is a music major, gets maybe one per class.”

Ross said students usually have a good reason for missing class, beyond laziness.

“I have doctor appointments and sometimes students need a mental health day,” Ross said.

However, some faculty say they are happy they are given a choice to set their own policy.

Dr. Jennifer Disney, a professor and chair of the political science department, said she feels having good attendance is key to students thriving in higher education.

“It’s important that we’re teaching professionalism and professionalism as participation, attendance, showing up and completing your assignments on time and to the best of your ability,” Disney said.

The dean of students office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.