Health and Illness Absence Notification

Students who are unable to attend class due to a health-related illness or injury may submit a Health & Illness Notification Form through the Student Health MyChart portal.

The purpose of this notification process is to:

• Promote timely reporting of illness-related absences.
• Reduce the need for unnecessary healthcare visits solely to obtain documentation.
• Protect student privacy by limiting the disclosure of personal health information.
• Allow Student Health Service to identify students who may benefit from additional support or resources.

Important information

A medical excuse is not required. Students do not need a doctor's note, nurse note or clinic visit to submit a Health & Illness Notification.

Many common conditions, including respiratory illnesses, influenza-like illnesses, gastrointestinal illnesses and other short-term conditions, can often be managed through self-care and do not require a healthcare appointment solely for absence documentation.

Notification is not an official excuse. A Health & Illness Notification is not an official excuse from class, examinations, clinical experiences, internships, laboratories or other academic obligations.

The notification serves as a means for students to inform instructors that they have reported a health-related concern, which may affect their academic participation, and that the report has been reviewed by University Health Service.

Decisions regarding attendance policies, make-up work, examinations, clinical requirements and course accommodations remain the responsibility of the instructor, college or academic program.

Privacy protection

The University Health Service will not disclose specific diagnoses, treatment information or other protected health information without the student's written authorization, except as required by law.

Review process

Submitted forms will be reviewed by University Health Service staff usually within three (3) workdays. Times may be longer during periods of increased community illness (e.g., flu season).

When appropriate, the University Health Service will provide verification that a student contacted the service on a specific date and time and that their illness report was reviewed.

Submitted notifications may be reviewed by Student Health staff to:

• Assess whether additional support resources may be needed.
• Identify students experiencing prolonged or recurrent health concerns.
• Connect students with appropriate healthcare, wellness, disability or case management resources when indicated.
• Students experiencing serious illness, hospitalization, surgery, significant injury or other extended medical circumstances may be contacted regarding additional documentation or support options.

Nurse advice line and telephone triage

Students who contact the University Health Service through a nurse advice line or telephone triage service may receive guidance regarding self-care, clinic appointments, urgent care or emergency services.

Telephone triage encounters are intended to provide clinical guidance and care recommendations. They do not determine whether a student should receive an excused absence. Students may be directed to utilize the Health & Illness Notification Form to further document their illness.

Faculty are encouraged to:

• Manage health-related notifications as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
• Work directly with students regarding missed coursework as appropriate.
• Refer students with prolonged or complex circumstances to the appropriate university support resources.
• Respect student privacy and avoid requesting unnecessary medical details.

Students experiencing significant illness, hospitalization, mental health concerns, or circumstances that may substantially affect academic progress are encouraged to contact the University Health Service for assistance and referral to appropriate campus resources.