1.1

NEWS

The Norwich Guidon
October 30, 2003

New policy tightens academic sick slip use

By Shauna Rustici
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

In an effort to prevent abuse of the system, the administration has instituted a new policy, which makes it more difficult to obtain pink slips for sick days, according to infirmary nurses. The new policy, issued by the Office of the Provost on Oct. 10, 2003, states that students "should be aware that minor illnesses or discomfort do not entitle them to excused absences from class."

This policy, which can be found online via students' CLiC accounts, also says that academic regulations "restrict excused absences to documented debilitating illnesses." Under the policy, debilitating illness is defined as an illness for which a medical professional has prescribed either bed rest of hospitalization.

Students must have documentation from the medical professional or their representative, according to the policy. The revised policy gives faculty the authority to decide if an illness satisfies the guidelines, something that many professors have already been doing.

Another aspect of the policy, which has not been publicized, prevents the infirmary from "backdating" pink slips, according to Alice Day, R.N. Previously, students could obtain a pink slip for missed classes after the date of the actual illness.

Nurses at the infirmary "are not even going to write [pink slips] unless you come the day of the illness," Day said, explaining that if a student is too ill to walk to the infirmary, then they must call that day so that a nurse can write a pink slip for the student to pick up later.

Some faculty, such as Communications Professor William Estill, agree that the stricter policy will reduce the absenteeism and that students "who really need a pink slip will still be able to get one."

Professor Daniel Doz, head of the Art and Architecture Division, disagrees. "People will just find better systems for breaking the rules, and in the long run I don't think it will change," Doz said.

Some students see the new policy as a further infringement on their rights, said James Plouffe, 20, a junior computer science major from Waterbury, Vt. "I think college kids should be treated more like adults, and that would mean that the school ought to trust us some more," Plouffe said.

"They are trying to bully students into going to class," said Matthew Poitras, 23, a senior communications major from Montpelier, Vt.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.