Student Bereavement Guidelines
The Dean of Students Office understands that grief impacts every student differently. This is not an attempt to quantify the impact of a traumatic loss or in any way address the nature of the grief process. The purpose of this policy is to provide students the time to attend the bereavement services of family members. In applying the guidelines below, students are strongly encouraged to use their judgment about the time they need and can afford to take, given their academic responsibilities and goals. Similarly, students should use their discretion about the need to take more extended time through mechanisms such as late course drops or leave of absence (when eligible to do so).
University of Rhode Island Student Bereavement Policy:
Course attendance policies are to be determined by the faculty member(s) responsible for teaching a course. A student’s absence from class maybe excused in the event of a traumatic loss (defined as death of a family member or other significant relationship) as reviewed and recommended by the Dean of Students Office (and/or the Academic College) for up to two consecutive weeks, for courses that run eight weeks or longer. Absences from courses of shorter duration will be determined on a case-by-case basis with the instructor and Dean of Students Office staff. Students have the right to request professor notification of these absences by completing the notification request form. Dean of Students Office staff will then notify the student’s instructors of the absences once the request has been reviewed and approved.
Consideration for academic assistance and the opportunity to complete the course are at the discretion of your instructor(s) and dependent on the nature of the course.
Disagreements over the seriousness of an illness, accident, personal tragedy, traumatic loss, or other serious matter may need to be mediated by the concerned instructor’s department chair, dean, or eventually the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Either students or their instructors may seek such mediation. If an agreement cannot be reached, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs shall decide the matter and his/her decision shall be final.
The student is responsible for fulfilling the course requirements and for working with course instructors on an appropriate timeline to submit any missed assignments/requirements. The Office of Student Support and Advocacy Services (Dean of Students Office) is the designated office to help support the student and review all available options, in collaboration with the Degree Granting Academic Colleges, if the traumatic loss has an impact on the student’s academic progress for the term. Faculty requesting confirmation of the traumatic loss resulting in the requested bereavement leave should consult with the Dean of Students Office.
Bereavement Notification Request Process:
If a student would like to exercise their right to have a bereavement notification sent out to their faculty by the Office of Student Support and Advocacy Services (Dean of Students Office), they are asked to provide an obituary, memorial service pamphlet, death certificate, or other documentation that identifies the student’s relation to the deceased. Such documentation is encouraged to include date of the family member’s passing, date of funeral/memorial service, and the city and state the services were held. (NOTE: Documents can be attached to this form.)
If a student is having difficulty obtaining documentation that meets these criterion, they should reach out to Student Support and Advocacy Services directly at SSAS@etal.uri.edu. Once documentation is provided, Student Support and Advocacy Services will send out an email notification on the student’s behalf to their college, requesting that the student be excused for up to two consecutive weeks, for courses that run eight weeks or longer. Absences from courses of shorter duration will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
If you have specific questions regarding absence notification, please contact the Student Support & Support Services by emailing SSAS@uri.edu or calling 401.874.2098 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm). If you have an emergency or a matter requiring immediate attention, please contact Campus Police at 401.874.2121.
Referrals
If you need assistance and/or are concerned about another student’s behavior or well-being, please utilize the URI Report It page.
