Medical Excuse Notes

Consistent with Centers for Disease Control and American College Health Association recommendations, the SSU Student Health Center (SHC) does not provide medical excuse notes for missed classes, assignment deadlines, etc. except in those rare instances where the SHC has recommended a specific and significant extended time away from classes or referred the student for hospitalization.

Many acute illness and injuries can best be handled by rest and self-care at home and do not necessarily need a face to face visit with a medical provider. In such instances, a SHC visit to obtain a medical excuse should not be required or encouraged, as this activity can subject the individual to unnecessary discomfort or injury, compromise the individual's recovery, needlessly expose others to infectious illness and unnecessarily consume medical resources. Most illness and absence circumstances are best worked out between the student and the instructor, who has had an opportunity to observe the student's academic performance and knows what is required for success in the course. SSU students are encouraged to contact their professor(s) and/or instructor(s) promptly if an illness, injury, or other reason for missing class or not turning in an assignment occurs and discuss potential solutions with them.