What is the Class Absence Referral initiative?

The goal of Class Absence Referral is to reach out and provide an intervention for first-year students who are not attending class. You are encouraged to refer a student if he/she:

• Has missed two or more classes during the first three weeks of the semester
• Is at risk of failing a course due to excessive absences throughout the semester

How does Class Absence Referral work?

You are encouraged to be the first person to reach out and establish contact with students. By showing that you notice they are not attending class and have concerns for their academic success and personal well-being, you provide the first level of intervention and personal attention that may be what your student needs to get back on track. If you are unable to make contact with the student or feel they may need extra support, please take the next step and submit a Class Absence Referral Form.

1. Faculty/Instructor complete and submit the Class Absence Referral Form
   
   
2. The form is received by the Academic Centers for Excellence and the student is sent an email informing them that a Class Absence Referral has been made.
   
   
3. A Class Absence Referral Responder attempts to contact the student and provide them with the support, information and campus resources needed for success at USC.
   
   
4. Within one week of the initial referral, the referring faculty member/instructor will be notified of the Class Absence Referral intervention outcome.

Is this the same thing as Creating Academic Responsibility (CAR)?

Yes and no. This early intervention initiative, formerly known as Creating Academic Responsibility (CAR), has been strategically repurposed to provide a focused intervention for first-year students who are not attending class. There is no longer a focus on student behaviors such as sleeping in class, disrupting class, or not completing assignments.

Utilizing existing partnerships with University 101 and the English Department, the Class Absence Referral intervention is targeted to reach first-year students enrolled in sections of University 101 and/or English 101/102.

If you are a faculty member or instructor in a different discipline who previously utilized CAR, you may submit a Class Absence Referral if you are concerned about a student who is not attending class. The Class Absence Referral intervention and follow-up will be provided for every student referred.