Student Handbook 2021

Excused absence from clinic for religious observances requires advance notice to the appropriate UEC Service Chief at the beginning of the term or four weeks prior to the holiday (whichever comes first) to facilitate coverage and rescheduling. For academic courses, faculty must notify their Department Chair and students must notify the Instructor of Record at the beginning of the term so that examinations and other assignments will not be scheduled on religious holidays if possible. Students are always responsible for any missed material, requirements, labs, or clinics and must ensure that any missed examinations or assignments are excused and made up. Faculty and Service Chiefs must make reasonable and equitable accommodations to students when assignments are made up. Faculty must take annual leave for missed days. Course and Faculty Evaluation Students are given the opportunity and expected to provide formal and informal input about the curriculum, courses, clinic and faculty. Students are required by the College to complete formal course and instructor evaluations as an official requirement for course completion. Grades may be withheld by the administration if evaluations are not completed. Formal course and instructor evaluations are distributed electronically to students at the conclusion of each term. Results of these evaluations are analyzed through the Office of Academic Affairs and summaries are distributed anonymously to the instructional faculty and department chairs. In addition to formal course and instructor evaluations, students may be asked to participate in surveys on various topics in order to provide important feedback for analysis and planning. Participation on these surveys is optional. The vice president and dean for academic affairs meets informally with each class periodically, and the dean and department chairs also meet each term with the class officers to discuss academic issues and provide students with an informal forum to discuss issues and concerns. Religious Observances Policy The SUNY College of Optometry respects the rights of individuals to observe their religious beliefs. Faculty, staff or students will be excused from classes and UEC clinics for religious observances in accordance with New York State Education Law, Article 5 Section 224-a. Excused absence from clinic for religious observances requires advance notice to the appropriate UEC Service Chief at the beginning of the term to facilitate coverage and rescheduling. For academic courses, faculty must notify their Department Chair and students must notify the Instructor of Record at the beginning of the term so that examinations and other assignments will not be scheduled on religious holidays if possible. Students are always responsible for any missed material, requirements, labs or clinics and must ensure that any missed examinations or assignments are excused and made up. Faculty and Service Chiefs must make reasonable and equitable accommodations to students when assignments are made up. Faculty must take vacation leave for missed days.

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