Priorities misplaced within absence policy
Commentary by Sandy Stafford

I have an issue with Campus Life. It is unclear whether TCU has a ridiculous policy or simply uninformed employees. However, something is definitely amiss on Sadler Hall’s first floor.

I missed my entire first day of classes because of a family funeral, and as a conscientious student, I headed to the Campus Life office Jan. 15 so my absence would be properly excused.

Upon requesting a letter or another official form to avoid any potential problems with my professors, I was told that the funeral was “not really an excused absence.” I looked confused for a second until the wonderful Campus Life employees explained that an excused absence would only be for an official university activity, such as a sports team traveling to an away game.

However, apparently a professor may use his or her own discretion in excusing a student for a death in the family, within departmental guidelines. Thank goodness! For a minute there it seemed TCU might actually have had its priorities out of sync. Phew!

There’s no problem with excused absences for university functions, but I cannot understand how a grandmother’s funeral could possibly be less important than a sporting event or another designated “excused” absence.

The Campus Life employee with whom I spoke even suggested I bring a program from the funeral or a copy of the obituary to my professors. Then she gave me her card so that if professors doubted me, they could call her and hear for themselves that Campus Life does not excuse TCU students for funerals.

Perhaps students might abuse such a policy, but asking us to individually bring an obituary to each professor is ridiculous. In the wake of a family trauma it is just downright cruel.

If dishonesty is the issue, bringing one copy of an obituary to Campus Life so they could communicate with professors should be enough. Their office supposedly exists to improve students’ lives and to ease student-teacher relations, not to complicate our transition back to class after a legitimate family tragedy.

I am still puzzling over Campus Life’s decision to shrug off funeral excuses. Luckily, my professors were much more helpful and sympathetic than the current policy of this fine academic institution.

Sandy Stafford is a sophomore theatre/TV major from Nederland. She can be contacted at (s.a.stafford@student.tcu.edu).

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