With no formal attendance policy at UNM, students are often left confused and irritated at the differences in rules on attendance among classes.
"If some classes are going to force attendance, it should be enforced across the board," said UNM freshman Adelicia Otero.
According to the University's Faculty Handbook, students are expected to attend all the classes they are enrolled in.
"After that, we leave it up to the instructors as to whether or not they include a formal attendance policy in their classes," said Randy Boeglin, UNM dean of students.
The English Department requires attendance in lower level classes, said Richard Johnson-Sheehan, director of Rhetoric and Writing.
"We've learned that a lack of an attendance policy means a lack of attendance," he said.
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Johnson-Sheehan said with so many commuter students and students working long hours, if attendance wasn't required, there would be "only five students showing up to English by the end of the semester."
The English Department, Johnson-Sheehan said, will administratively drop students after six absences or the equivalent of two weeks of classes.
"We want you to be here, and we want you to succeed," he said.
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese will also drop students, but after 10 absences, said Maryfelix Trevino-Morales, an administrative assistant in the department.
"When you are learning a language, if you miss a day you are going to miss a lot of the information," she said. "You are not going to know how to put it all together."
Dave Gutzler, assistant chair of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said when it comes to his classes, there is no policy.
"I get some sense of who's coming to class from lectures and homework," he said. "My hope is that what we do in class will be important enough for students to come."
Gutzler also said while attendance is required "implicitly" to succeed in the class, it is not a formal requirement.
"I am more interested in the learning that is going on than taking attendance," he said.
UNM freshman Mark Underwood said he is baffled by the fact that some instructors require attendance and some don't.
"I don't find it fair in how the system is set, especially with those classes where if you miss a class, it is detrimental to your grade," Underwood said.
He also said he thinks whether he attends class is his responsibility.
"If I don't go to class, and I fail a test, that is my own fault," Underwood said.
Johnson-Sheehan said he thinks attendance policies are beneficial for students, but also for new faculty.
"A lot of times newer instructors will not know how to run their classrooms, so we as a department set the standard for all of our classes," he said. "It makes it easier for everyone."
Still, Underwood said he is aggravated by his teachers taking attendance.
"This isn't high school," he said. "I don't need someone holding my hand on the way to class."
