Letter: Deans explain dean's excuse policy for athletics

The academic deans of Trinity College and Pratt School of Engineering would like to make clear the policy on dean's excuses for "official representation of the University," discussed in a column appearing in The Chronicle on April 2. When the University enters into agreements with organizations such as the NCAA or makes nominations to scholarship programs, it provides assurances that students will be able to participate. Accordingly, dean's excuses for "authorized representation of the University" are granted to students who are members of teams or groups officially recognized by the University when officially representing the University. In some cases, where deemed appropriate, individuals have been granted dean's excuses, on an ad hoc basis, to represent the University, for example, at academic conferences or when presenting papers at professional meetings related to academic research. When a dean's excuse is issued, the student must abide by the rules for missed work or examinations as set by the instructor of the course. The purpose of the excuse is to remove any penalty for missed or late work. The faculty regulation does not permit dean's excuses for optional activities that result in missed assignments or examinations. In these cases, students may speak directly to their instructors about accommodations. The issue of dean's excuses has been under constant review by the academic deans for a number of years. These conversations have led to modifications in the process, an example of which is the way medical excuses are determined and issued. We will continue to engage in dialogue about dean's excuses with students, faculty and other sectors of the University including Student Health.