Should Professors Require Attendance?

Whether you are a freshman, just finishing up your first year at OWU, or a senior counting down the days until graduation, we have all asked ourselves: Do I really need to go to class today?

Maybe you are feeling that second-semester burnout, maybe you stayed up too late, or maybe you feel that you can learn the content better on your own. But then the reality of most classes hits you: attendance is mandatory.

For a lot of students here at OWU and honestly, almost every other college, there is a constant debate over the importance of attendance. Many professors believe that being present in class is key to understanding the content, engaging with your peers, and succeeding in the class. But if you ask around our campus, some people seem to think differently.

One student from OWU made a claim to me that attendance “shouldn’t be mandatory - people have the right to [make] their own decisions for the education they pay for and they’re responsible for their performance in class. If they decide they never want to show up, they’ll get repercussions from their grade nonetheless”. 

This perspective seems to be a popular one amongst students on our campus. Another student similarly stated that “because, as adults, I think it is our responsibility to go to classes that we pay for if we want to succeed in those classes. If a student is able to succeed and do all their work without going to class, then that should be their right”.

However, some students at OWU believe that there are potential risks to making attendance optional. 

Another anonymous student made a claim that “by not mandating attendance, large and infrequent knowledge check grades (e.g., final exams) would be given more weight… I would rather have a more rounded grading model that encourages engagement with the material”.

Personally, I have been in classes where being there just helped me understand the material way better. On the other hand, I have had classes where I just sat there for the period, wondering if it was really necessary for me to show up that day. So honestly, I understand both perspectives.

When looking at the big picture, there really is no big answer or solution. As seen above, some students believe that it is up to the individual to find themselves responsible enough to maintain their grades, regardless of whether it means they show up for class or not. Whereas others believe that optional attendance messes with the weight of important, graded materials.

This debate has been one that’s been going on for years and I don’t believe that it’ll go away anytime soon. However, maybe there is something else we, as students, can consider. Is being there the same thing as learning the content?