Provisional University Bulletin (2025-2026)

Absence Due to Bereavement / Grief

In the event that a graduate student must be away from classes due to the loss or catastrophic illness of a loved one, they may request an absence from classes. The policy excuses an absence of five days, with the possibility of additional days based on distance of travel from Brandeis’s campus. Travel days will be determined by the distance of the verified bereavement services from Waltham, MA, as follows:

• Within 150 mile radius of Waltham - no additional excused absence days
• Within 150-300 mile radius of Waltham - one additional excused absence day
• Beyond 300-mile radius of Waltham - two additional excused absence days
• Outside the 48 contiguous United States - four additional excused absence days.

Upon notification of the absence and proper documentation, each faculty member shall excuse the student from class according to this policy and provide a reasonable opportunity to complete/make up missed exams, quizzes, and other required work. Ultimately, the student is responsible for all material covered in class and must work with each individual instructor as soon as they return to complete any required work. If an instructor fails to follow the student grief absence policy, the student may appeal the instructor's decision in writing to the Chair of the relevant academic Department or Program; if a resolution is not reached by the Chair, the student may appeal to the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled.

Graduate students who will miss class sessions due to bereavement should notify their course instructor(s) and their primary program advisor via email at the beginning of the mourning period.

Absences from on-campus employment should be discussed with supervisors in all cases; for doctoral students employed as Graduate Assistants the guidelines for work absences may be defined by the CBA.