FAQs

Student Frequently Asked Questions

What if I need an advocate?

The Dean of Students staff advocates for students as they pursue academic and personal success. Our offices are in 202 Hendrix Student Center. We urge you to call for an appointment so we can have plenty of time to listen to your concern and help you develop strategies to resolve whatever problems you might be experiencing. Even if you're not sure we can help, you can still CONTACT US!

Another great student resource when you need an advocate is the university ombudsman.

When a friend or family member dies, when a parent or child has a serious injury, illness, etc., Clemson provides resources that can help you through your tough times. Some of those are listed below with contact information where available:

1. Dean of Students Office Staff
2. Counseling and Psychological Services Center
3. Student Ombudsman
4. Medical Professionals
5. Campus Ministers
6. Undergraduate Dean and Academic Services
7. Graduate Dean and Academic Services
8. College Advising Centers
9. College Deans and Associate Deans

What if I am concerned about a fellow student?

There are lots of people who serve as resources to students at Clemson. You can always contact a Residence Life staff member, the Dean of Students Office or the Counseling and Psychological Services department to get some advice on how to handle a concern about another student. There is also an electronic *CARING Network of professionals on campus who support students. If you or a student you know needs an adviser, counselor or Student Affairs professional to reach out to them in the upcoming week, you can use this *CARING Network to tell us about the situation.

NOTE: In case of an emergency, do not use this system. Call 911 or 865-656-2222.

What if I have an accident, illness or other family emergency?

What if I am going to miss classes?

University Policies on class absences appear in both the Undergraduate Announcements and the Graduate Announcements. You should also review your course syllabus for the class attendance expectations of specific courses and professors.

Absence Notification — There is no such thing as a “class excuse” in college. Always notify your professor in advance if you must miss a class and be prepared to document the reason you had to miss.  To notify all of your professors and selected other university offices at once, you can use the Notification of Absence in MyCLE.

Unplanned Absences — OK, you’ve already missed the class, now what? You should still contact your professor as soon as possible. Calling your professor when you are sick to leave a voicemail message is a good idea. Follow up with an e-mail explaining the circumstances. The professor will decide whether the absence is “excused” or “unexcused.” Often the professor will require some documentation of the reason for your absence.

Documenting the Reason for an Absence — Professors expect students to be able to provide documentation of the reasons for their absences. Here are some examples of documents you could provide in cases of….

• Minor Accident — a copy of the incident report.
• Major Accident — a copy of the incident report, the police report, the ambulance report, or the newspaper account.
• Minor Illness — There may be very little documentation for a minor illness other than the dent in your pillow (smile), so calling your professor when you are sick and leaving a voicemail message is a good idea. Follow up with an e-mail explaining the circumstances. The professor will decide whether the absence is “excused” or “unexcused.”
• Major illness or hospitalization — a copy of the hospital release instructions, a letter from the attending physician, or a copy of a related bill or receipt.
• Extended Absence Situation — If you are missing multiple classes at the very end of the semester, you might need to consider requesting “I-incomplete” grades from your professors for the courses that are being affected by your absence. Incompletes are used when there is only a small portion of the course remaining to complete, and they are given only when the student is passing the course. This option is explained in more detail in the Grading information in the Undergraduate Announcements and the Graduate Announcements.

What if I need to drop a class or withdraw?

All students can use the registration system to drop a course through the last day to "drop without record." Students with sufficient "W" hours can drop a course through the last day to "drop a class without final grades." Students with extenuating circumstances related to course drops should talk to their instructor or go to Registration Services in E-205 Martin Hall.

Sometimes illness or other life circumstances cause a student to have to drop all classes for that semester. If you think you might be headed in this direction, here are a few suggestions. At any step, you can always come talk to one of us in the Dean’s Office.

1. Talk to your academic adviser (see Academic Advising if you don’t know who that is).
2. Talk with a counselor in Counseling and Psychological Services in Redfern.
3. Ask a Financial Aid counselor what impact this could have on present and future aid (Financial Aid link).
4. Consider the tuition refund schedule for:
   • Undergraduates
   • Graduate Students
5. If withdrawing seems to be the right answer for this semester, contact one of these offices to discuss further your options:
   • Undergraduates
     Contact Undergraduate Academic Services, E-103 Martin Hall, 864-656-3022.
   • Graduate Students
     Contact Enrolled Student Services in 104D Sikes Hall, 864-656-5339.

I am considering living off campus next year.

If you are a freshman not living in your family home, you will live in on-campus housing for at least your freshman year. On-campus housing is the best place for new students to make connections and become acquainted with the university. Even after the freshman year, research shows that Clemson students who live on campus make better grades, drink less alcohol and tend to be more engaged in learning than those who live off campus. Should you decide that living off-campus is best for you at some point, check out our Off-Campus Student Services page to find some helpful information.

All students can use the registration system to drop a course through the last day to "drop without record." Students with sufficient "W" hours can drop a course through the last day to "drop a class without final grades." Students with extenuating circumstances related to course drops should talk to their instructor or go to Registration Services in E-205 Martin Hall.