Sometimes, life can get in the way of your academics.
If you're dealing with an issue that will prevent you from attending class or affect your academic success, your first step should be to reach out to your professors, explain the situation, and make a plan to stay on top of your work.
Dean's Letters
If you're dealing with an unexpected, extenuating circumstance that will keep you out of class or affect your class performance for more than a day or two, you can email the Dean of Students to request that a Dean's Letter be sent to your faculty. In the email, include a brief description of the situation and provide some documentation (e.g. medical documentation). The Dean's Letter explains that you are experiencing compelling, non-academic circumstances beyond your control which might affect your academics. You should still reach out to your faculty to discuss how to stay on top of the work.
When the letter is sent to your faculty, you will also receive a copy in your UNH email. An example of the letter can be found here.
Please note that students may miss class or have an issue in class for a variety of reasons, and a notice does not need to be sent every time you need to miss one or two classes. Faculty have discretion to work with students who are managing personal issues. If you miss a day of class or are managing a situation that will affect your performance that day, contact your faculty and let them know. If they tell you that you need a Dean's Letter, reach out to the Dean of Students.
COVID-19 Absences (Quarantine/Isolation)
If you need to miss class due to testing positive for COVID-19 or being a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, you should contact Health and Wellness (hw.covid19@unh.edu). They will notify the Dean of Students who will automatically send a letter to your faculty. If you have already been in contact with Health and Wellness, the Dean of Students office will automatically receive your name and send a Dean's Letter to your faculty. No action is needed on your part. An example of the letter can be found here.
When the letter is sent to your faculty, you will also receive a copy in your UNH email. Please note there may be a few days between contact with Heath & Wellness and the distribution of letters.
Bereavement Letters
If the letter/flexibility you're requesting is regarding a loss in your immediate family, please contact the associate dean of your college who would send the notice to your faculty. Contact information for each college are as follows:
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - unh.ceps@unh.edu
- College of Health and Human Services - unh.chhs@unh.edu
- College of Liberal Arts - Liberal.Arts@unh.edu
- College of Life Sciences and Agriculture - unh.colsa@unh.edu
- Paul College of Business and Economics - paulcollege.advising@unh.edu
Accommodations
If you have a condition that could impact your UNH experience in an ongoing way, you can also connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). SAS assists students with disabilities with the accommodation process (Register with SAS, Submit Documentation, Meet with SAS). Accommodations often include classroom, exam, housing, and/or parking accommodations. If you are unsure if you qualify for accommodations, please reach out to SAS for more information.
