9/26 Policy vs. Reality: Attendance, Withdrawal, and Accessibility at Duke

This week, we’re opening an honest conversation about Duke’s attendance and withdrawal policies—and what they mean for students living with chronic illness and neurodivergence.

Under Duke’s current policy, missing more than three classes often triggers concern, and missing around ten can lead to a required meeting with your academic dean about taking a medical withdrawal. What these policies fail to recognize is that chronic illness incapacitation is often frequent and unpredictable—and missing class does not equate to academic failure.

Many students with chronic conditions continue to excel academically while managing fluctuating health. Yet, instead of being met with understanding or flexibility, they are too often met with doubt, withdrawal suggestions, or the assumption that they cannot succeed.

At this meeting, we’ll talk about:

• The real impact of Duke’s attendance and withdrawal policies on disabled and neurodivergent students.

• How to advocate for yourself when “policy” doesn’t fit your reality.

• How to communicate with professors and deans while protecting your boundaries.

• What true accessibility and academic inclusion should look like.

Our meeting will be on 9/26 in Rueben Cooke, Room 207, at 7PM.