Greenhouse Curriculum - Attendance Regulation

No student shall be awarded academic credit for any course unless properly enrolled (appropriate forms and payment of tuition and fees) on or before the last date for the filing of drop/add forms for the semester in question (first week of fall or spring classes or second day of summer semester).

Entering freshman students will be enrolled for a maximum of 16 semester hours of credits. Academic advisors may, however, recommend a 17 or 18-credit load if the student's high school record indicates an overall average of 85% or higher or for other extenuating circumstances. Written approval of the area department chairperson is required. Continuing and returning students may enroll in no more than 17 credits per semester. In special circumstances, written approval to enroll for 18 credits may be granted by either the department chairperson of the student's area of study or the Director of Academic Advisement or designee. Certain degree programs call for a student to enroll in 18 or more credits as part of his/her recommended progress toward a degree. In these instances a student must obtain the written approval of the department chairperson of the student's area of study. All other students requesting more than 18 credits for a semester must obtain the written approval of the Director of Academic Advisement or the appropriate Academic Affairs Area Dean.

Admission to Class
Once a semester has begun, and within the drop/add period, students will be admitted to a course only upon the presentation of either a paid, validated receipt from the Bursar's office, or a valid Senior Citizen permit.

Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes. Absences due to illness or for other serious reasons may be excused at the discretion of the instructor. Students are advised that excessive absences may have a negative impact on their academic performance and/or outcome. Some departments may have additional attendance guidelines and related grading policies. The instructor shall detail the specific attendance policy for his/her class. Students are responsible for all course work missed. Students receiving Veterans Administration educational benefits are reminded of their legal obligation to withdraw officially and to notify the VA Certifying Officials in the Office of the Registrar if there are any changes in enrollment.

Online and Hybrid Class Attendance
To demonstrate attendance in a distance education class, students must meet one more of the following criteria including but not limited to: physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students; submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam, an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction; attending a study group that is assigned by the institution; participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.

Auditing of Classes

Auditors may be permitted in classes under the following conditions:

Regular course fees are paid;
Section enrollment limits are not exceeded;
Auditors are clearly identified to the instructor;
Auditors do not preempt seats desired by credit students (i.e. auditors are not admitted until after the drop/add period is completed);
No more than five auditors may be permitted in any one section;
A grade cannot be subsequently or retroactively awarded. Nassau County residents aged 60 years or older, please see catalog section on Senior Observer.

Religious Absences

The laws of the State of New York, Section 224 A of the Education Law, provide that:

No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student to an institution of higher education for the reason that he/ she is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to register or attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirements on a particular day or days.
Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days, shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.
It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of his/her religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study or work requirements which he/she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.
If registration, classes, examinations, study or work requirements are held on Friday after four o'clock post meridian or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, study or work requirements or opportunity to register shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practical to do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study or work requirements or registration held on other days.
In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his/her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this section.
Any student, who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section, shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the Supreme Court of the county in which such institution of higher education is located for the enforcement of his/her rights under this section.
- 6a. It shall be the responsibility of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to give written notice to students of their rights under this section, informing them that each student who is absent from school, because of his/ her religious beliefs, must be given an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study or work requirements which he/she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to such student such equivalent opportunity.
As used in this section, the term "institution of higher education" shall mean any institution of higher education, recognized and approved by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, which provides a course of study leading to the granting of a post-secondary degree or diploma. Such term shall not include any institution which is operated, supervised or controlled by a church or by a religious or denominational organization whose educational programs are principally designed for the purpose of training ministers or other religious functionaries or for the purpose of propagating religious doctrines. As used in this section, the term "religious belief" shall mean beliefs associated with any corporation organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes, which is not disqualified for tax exemption under section 501 of the United States Code.