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Original Query from Sara Craven, Duke Institute
for Learning in Retirement (DLLI), NC
We have a graduate student working with us who is interested in getting
an idea of how many of our students miss class because of illness in a given
semester. What is your guess? I guessed 40% for DLLI -- maybe I am just
more aware of people who are traveling, not sick.
From Berny Dumoff, LLI, Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT
I keep a pretty close watch on our class attendance, and I don't think that
absence due to illness would account for much more than perhaps 10%. We
have a number of instances where a member would call in and inform us that
he/she would be unable to attend a particular class because of family business
or an unexpected guest.
From Gene Bammel, SAGE, U. of Arizona
My "guess" for our LLI would be closer to 25%, probably not much higher
than the percentage of undergrads who miss class for some illness-related
problem.....We have the travel issue, as our people play "host" to winter
visitors, and disappear for a week or two....
From Nancy Gluck, Lifetime Learners Institute, Norwalk, CT
We have kept attendance statistics for several years. Actual attendance
for all class sessions averages between 70% and 72%. When we sample the
non-attenders, a lot of reasons are given - personal illness - illness or
need for some kind of help by family member - out of town - conflicting
demands - doesn't like class. I don't have the proportions, but the majority
report illness by themselves or family members. Illness these days doesn't
necessarily mean sick in bed, but the need to pursue a myriad of medical
and dental tests and appointments.
From Marion Lowenthal, Molloy LLI, Molloy College, NY
Molloy Institute for Lifelong Learning (MILL) has two separate groups on
campus because we have severe space restrictions. An educated estimate is
that in one group we have no more than 10% absenteeism, in the other no
more than 20%. Almost everyone shows up because they come only once a week,
but all day.
From Mary Lewerenz, University for Seniors, University of Minnesota Duluth
We do take attendance in our classes but do not attempt to find out why
someone is absent. The only time we inquire is when a person in an oversubscribed
class with a waiting list misses the first couple of sessions. Then that
person is called to find out if they are dropping the course so that someone
can be taken off the wait list. Of course, if someone misses several classes
someone calls to see if they are ill or if there is a problem. Most of our
members who decide they don't like the class after they get there will call
the office to drop. As we have a membership fee and do not charge by the
course this is not to get a refund. Our members look upon the ability to
come and go as they please or find necessary as one of the pluses of our
program. Although we don't ask why members are absent. I would guess that
only a small percentage is because of illness. Most absences would be because
of trips, appointments such as medical or dental; family responsibilities,
and up here in the North Country stormy weather with lots of snow and slippery
conditions for driving or walking. It has been my experience that when a
member knows they are going to be absent they tell the course leader or
mark it on the attendance sheet.
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