Admissions and Records
Attendance
Regular and prompt attendance is expected in all class and lab sessions. Here's what you need to know about showing up — and what happens if you don't.
First Day Matters
Missing the first class meeting may get you dropped. Online students must log into Canvas and complete required work by the end of Day 1.
Absence Limit
More than one week's worth of absences — consecutive or not — and your instructor may drop you before the deadline.
You Must Drop Yourself
Not attending doesn't mean you're dropped. Failing to officially withdraw can result in a failing grade on your record.
Make Up Missed Work
No absence — even an authorized one — excuses you from completing work you missed. Every absence can affect your grade.
Don't count on your instructor to drop you. Non-attendance is not an official drop, and non-payment doesn't release you from your enrollment either. If you decide not to attend a class, log in to myGateway and drop it before the deadline to avoid a failing grade.
Attending Your First Class
Showing up to the first class meeting is strongly recommended — classes fill quickly and instructors may drop students who don't appear.
If your class is entirely online, your instructor may drop you if you have not logged into Canvas and completed any required assignment(s), or have not been in contact with them by the end of the first day of the semester or short-term session.
Absence Rules
Per the California Chancellor's Office, attendance must be recorded at every class session. The rules below apply once you exceed the limits.
Regular classes: If you accumulate more absences than the number of times your class meets per week — consecutive or not — your instructor may drop you according to the published drop deadlines.
Short-term or intersession classes: Your instructor may drop you if your absences add up to more than the equivalent of one full week of a regular semester.
Online classes: An absence may be recorded as a missed assignment or extended inactivity in the course site.
Even if your instructor doesn't drop you, it's still your responsibility to officially drop a class you're no longer attending. Not dropping can result in a failing grade — and potentially a financial obligation if fees remain unpaid.
Extended or Authorized Absences
If your absences pile up — even for legitimate reasons — and your instructor believes you can no longer succeed in the course, they may drop you. Here's what to know:
- Authorized activity absences (field trips, athletics, music, etc.): Get an Authorized Absence Excuse from the instructor running the activity. Have it signed by each instructor whose class you'll miss before the absence — at least two days ahead is recommended. Present the signed excuse to the activity instructor.
- Making up missed work: No absence excuses you from completing the work. Every absence — authorized or not — can affect your grade.
- Extended absences: Contact all of your instructors right away. Let them know what's going on and why you're absent. They'll decide whether you can continue or should withdraw. Waiting too long to reach out risks receiving a substandard grade.
🎖 Active Military Service
If you're serving in the armed forces or state military and have official orders requiring you to be away:
2 weeks or less: Faculty will give you the opportunity to make up missed work and return to class the week after your service obligation is complete.
More than 2 weeks: You may submit for an incomplete grade.
Need to drop a class?
Don't wait — dropping before the deadline protects your GPA and your financial standing.
Drop a Class in myGateway