Does showing up really count?

How often do you skip class?

A recent New York Times article explored the issue of students who cut class as well as what colleges and universities can do to combat the “cutting crew.”

Some institutions have even begun mandating keeping of attendance records for students. According to the article, North Carolina State University requires attendance records for all 100- and 200-level classes.

At other colleges and universities, professors must take the matter of attendance into their own hands, passing around sign-up sheets, deducting grade points for a certain number of classes missed or making in-class participation a large percentage of a student’s grade.

Fairfield does not mandate attendance to be taken, but rather delegates the responsibility of keeping track of attendance to professors.

The student handbook states, “All students are expected to attend every scheduled class session. The impact of attendance on grading is specified in the syllabus.”

Dean of Freshman Debnam Chappell spoke about the importance of regularly attending class, saying, “The benefits of attending class should be transparently obvious: better knowledge of the material that is being taught than a student would have if class were not mandated.”

But because attendance is not mandated at Fairfield, professors are free to make their own policies.

For marketing professor Mark Ligas, attendance is not taken every class period; he only takes attendance during the first month of class to get to know his students by name. Ligas does feel, however, that attending class should be a priority for students.

“I do feel it is extremely important for students to be present in class, as the purpose of the lectures is to highlight the relevant material while also making that material clear and understandable.”

Conversely, English professor Johanna Garvey does regularly take attendance, especially in her first-year EN 11 course.

“Attendance is really crucial to get [freshmen] adjusted. But participation is another important component. If you aren’t there, you can’t participate,” she said.

Though the article says the “few surveys that exist on absenteeism provide no evidence of a worsening problem,” Fairfield students agree that cutting class is a part of college life.

“I think cutting is inseparable with the college experience,” said Pat Scanlan ’08.

Lauren Tuthill ’08 agreed. “I try to make the most of my classes especially near the beginning of the semester, but near the end things get busy,” Tuthill said.

Though missing class appears to be an inevitable part of college, most agree that showing up to class is a better choice.

“The bottom line is, making choices is a part of life. When we make choices, we bear the responsibility to live with our choices,” said Chappell.

Tom Madonna ’08 agrees.

“Going to class really isn’t that bad. You are out of class way more than you are in class,” he said.