The extremely strict policy held by the UNC Music Education program negatively impacts the well-being of its students. There has been concern due to its extensive damage to its student’s physical and mental health and lack of understanding within the department.  

 

Here is the current attendance policy quoted directly from all music education syllabi:

"For this class, there is no difference between excused and unexcused absences. You are granted grace for 2 absences (one week's worth of class). If you have 3-4 absences, your final grade will be reduced by a whole letter grade. If you have 5 or more absences, your grade will be no higher than a D+, requiring you to repeat the class." 

 

Some syllabi mention that documentation can excuse these absences, and something can be worked out between the student and professor with communication. However, students have not found this to be the case. There is a lack of understanding among professors, especially with the idea that there is no difference between excused and unexcused. For example, being sick with an illness for multiple days could result in a failure of the class, even if it is the person's intention to take care of themselves and others. Emergencies are also counted as unexcused, and often result in the same harsh penalties from the professor.

 

As members of the music education community, we understand how important attendance is. We learn by experimentation and participation in class. Attendance is important; however, it does not need to be damaging and restrictive to its members. 

 

Here are some significant issues I have heard the most about this policy: 

• Damage to health, both mental and physical: Students have been forced to show up to class sick and have spread these illnesses to peers and other professors out of fear of failing. I have seen countless people, myself included, disregard their physical well-being multiple times. This also includes damage to mental health. There is a strong fear of getting sick or having emergencies because of the possibility of failing an entire class. Constant pressure has caused students to collapse or quit music altogether. 
• It is ableist: While some professors have been working with the DRC for students with disabilities, it does not account for several things. I am a disabled person who is immunocompromised. If someone else is forced to show up sick for multiple days, that could spread to me and severely damage my health. Or I could get it and spread it to a grandparent which could have severe, even fatal consequences. While it's true that risks of getting sick are everywhere, being forced to show up when sick increases that chance significantly. 
• It is classist: It requires a doctor's note for excusing even one day of class due to an illness. In the workforce, a note is required only when an employee misses more than three days. With the Music Education Department’s policy, if a person gets sick more than once, they have to find a doctor that has availability to give a note. In a society that does not have free or easily accessible healthcare, there are students who can not afford this and could fail multiple classes for being out sick for 4-6 days out of a semester. This system favors those who can readily afford to see a doctor. 
• Lack of transparency: This policy doesn't feel beneficial to its students at all. Every job requires presence, yet this is one of the only degrees I've seen with a policy as strict as this. Is there a reason why attendance is so important that goes beyond individual students? Does the program not get enough funding if we miss a class? We might be more open to discussing the policy if we felt included in the conversation. 
• Not meeting students halfway: I can't schedule when I'll be sick or have emergencies. I don't want to fail a class because I got a dangerous flu and didn't want to spread it to my peers. However, I would be less afraid if accommodations were in place. For example, students can be allowed to Zoom or call into the lesson instead so they can be at home sick and still take part without fear of failing the class. Trust us, we understand that attendance is important. Please work with us more. If policies are going to be strict, build accommodations. Make this beneficial to everyone. Listen to us and find better ways to work with us. 
• We don't feel listened to or cared about: When we bring up these issues, they are brushed off and told this is for our benefit. No one benefits when the harm outweighs the good; from our perspective, the harm is significant. Also, when I get an email that says, "I understand you missed because of a disability or illness, but it will harm your grade," it makes me feel like the policy matters more than me as a person.  
• We are adults: We don't need the department to hold our hands with strict attendance policies. If someone misses class and doesn't make up the work or try to find ways to work with it, it is their own consequence. That is why we have final tests and projects. If a student doesn't have the information they need for that final by missing, that is the consequence they face. If we don't show up to a job, we get fired. These consequences are ones that we are aware of as adults. We don't need a department forcing unnecessary punishments far beyond what we would face in an actual work environment. Let us make our own decisions for our schoolwork and health. 

 

Reasons stated for the use of this policy and why we don't believe these to be helpful:

• It prepares for the real world: As educators, we are allowed paid sick leave with substitutes. Every educator in every department must show up for their job, yet most education departments do not have this strict of a policy. As a teacher, I wouldn't be genuinely afraid of getting sick for fear of getting fired. I would show up for my students every day I could without jeopardizing their health by showing up sick. I have also discussed this policy with many teachers outside UNC in very successful areas, and they say it is dangerous and does not reflect the real world at all. There are flexible policies such as PTO or acquiring a substitute that provides room for illness or emergencies. 
• It's best for the community: Almost everyone I have talked to about this is harmed by this policy. I have yet to speak to someone who agrees with it, including students, current teachers from all areas, therapists, friends, other students from UNC, etc. This damages the music community and turns people away from it.  

 

It is hard not to feel very disconnected from professors on a large scale because some refuse to listen to or understand students. I have had multiple friends show up extremely sick to class and have given those illnesses to other students and teachers. I have seen students in family emergencies with professors not excusing them without proof and have been asked to disclose sensitive information. 

 

I had a professor say to the entire class that doctor's notes will be discussed whether or not they excuse an absence. That is a legal document. Not even jobs are allowed to dismiss them. 

 

I have created this petition to show that we are struggling and asking for help. This doesn't just affect UNC music education students. Strict attendance policies have not been necessary for the success of students and future educators, and having these policies elsewhere could result in more oversteps and declining health. While we understand the policy was created with good intent, the environment it has created is detrimental. Music students are already overworked with more required classes than most departments and high expectations. We are asking for policies that actually help us and find ways to accommodate our needs. The student community is actively protesting this, and we want the professors involved to understand how we feel. We know the professors want to prepare and help us, but we don't feel that way. Please reconsider this policy. Please work with students on how to build something better together.  

 

By signing this petition, you are adding your voice to ask for change in the attendance policy for UNC music education. 

 

Thank you.