Arranging for a substitute
While faculty members are expected to hold class at every scheduled time, the university recognizes that there are circumstances that may prevent a faculty member from adhering to this standard. When this occurs, you should inform the students in advance (if possible) and/or contact the department office so that a sign can be placed on the classroom door, indicating that the class has been canceled.
There may be instances in which repeated (three or more) absences are necessary. When this occurs, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences encourages the use of substitutes. Substitute instructors can be arranged through the department chairperson.
Religious observances
When a scheduled class conflicts with a religious observance, faculty members can cancel the class. Students should be informed of this cancellation well in advance. If class is held on a religious holiday, exams should not be given on that day or the day after the religious holiday. If requested in advance, student absences on religious holidays should be excused and the students should be permitted to make up the missed assignments and exams.
Please note that there may be additional dates for students of other faiths. These students must also be accommodated, as long as they can document that they are religiously observant. The University of Maryland policy on religious observances emphasizes that students should not be penalized because of observances of their religious beliefs; students shall be given an opportunity whenever feasible, to make up within a reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to individual participation in religious observances. Faculty should make every feasible effort to accommodate students' requests based on attendance of religious observances. Faculty should remind students in advance (preferably on the syllabus) to inform them of intended absences due to religious observances by the end of the schedule adjustment period. Faculty should also remind students that failure to reschedule a final examination before the end of the final exam period may result in a loss of credit during the semester.
Weather Emergencies CALL: 301-405-SNOW (7669)
When there is a weather emergency, university officials will notify the press and campus offices by phone. If the announcement is made during non-business hours, local radio and television stations will announce the closure of the university. You may also call 301-405-SNOW (7669) during periods of inclement weather to check if the university is/will be closed. When the university closes, faculty members may NOT hold class. A note should be placed on the door (if possible) and any students in the classroom should be dismissed. Failing to abide by the decision to close endangers the welfare of University of Maryland students and staff and exposes the university and instructor to potential liability. When the university is open, but the faculty member is unable to make it to campus, the faculty member is expected to contact the department office so a note can be posted on the classroom door indicating that the class has been canceled. All faculty members should register for UMD Alerts, which is a system administered by the Department of Public Safety. UMD Alerts is an alert system that allows the University of Maryland to contact you during an emergency by sending text messages to your: email (school, personal, other); cell phone; pager; or BlackBerry/Treo. When an emergency occurs, authorized senders will instantly notify you using UMD Alerts. UMD Alerts is your personal connection to real-time updates, instructions on where to go, what to do, or what not to do, who to contact and other important information. Please encourage other faculty, staff and students to sign up for this free service. For more information and instructions on how to register for this free service, click here.
