Read the LSUHSC Catalog, Medical School-Shreveport section, on this topic. In addition you must carefully read the section on Attendance, Absences and Student Class Participation under Academics and Curriculum in the Handbook. Also, you should carefully note the policies in the Syllabus for each course, and follow those policies. Small group sessions, laboratories, clinical rotations, etc. involve learning by experiencing (experiential learning), and attendance is critical to the learning process. Therefore, absences may not be tolerated. Certainly, if you miss or anticipate missing a day of school, you should notify the course directors of the courses which you will miss, and the Office for Student Affairs (675-5339). If your situation is critical, and it will be very difficult for you to contact course directors, then you may ask the Office for Student Affairs to contact these course directors for you. However, it is your responsibility to contact course directors regarding material which you have missed, and especially regarding the taking of a make up exam, if you miss an exam. Missing an exam is a very serious matter. If you see that you are going to miss an exam, you are expected to call the course director in charge or the academic Department Head prior to the exam. If this is not possible, it is your responsibility to call as soon as possible. It is extremely important that you keep the course directors and the Office for Student Affairs informed of your status if you anticipate or if you are having personal difficulties. Read Academics and Curriculum / Attendance, the Absence from Exam Due to Illness form, and Student Class Participation in this Medical School Handbook.