By Eila Zaris
CCC Journalism Program
Many students at Camden County College are young adults doing their best to balance their schoolwork with long work hours. Some pay bills, some need money for bare necessities, and some have a family of their own to provide for. Having these long hours of work, on top of focusing on succeeding in their academics, can be very stressful for students; life can get the best of them.
Are two or three absences enough in a semester for those working tirelessly, enduring sickness, and addressing everyday problems as they arise? This raises questions about whether the school and staff are empathetic and flexible about students’ attendance. Are the students feeling that their teachers’ attendance policies are too strict? How does the school feel about it, and do the teachers have the final say?
Kendyl Sunkett, a senior at Camden County College, is a criminal justice major. Sunkett is a full-time student, and in addition to that, she works 30 to 35 hours a week. Sunkett acknowledges that school is her top priority, but she also has bills she must pay.
When asked if she believes her courses’ attendance policies are fair based on taking other classes and working practically full time, she says, “I don’t think it’s fair. I feel as though students should be granted a total of three to five unexcused absences. After all, we students get sick unexpectedly, situations and emergencies may come up, I don’t think it’s fair that we don’t get more grace for us students.”
According to the American Association of Community Colleges, data from a 2023 study shows that among recent high school graduates who enrolled in community college, half (50.8%) were also working. Overall, 57.6% of two-year college students were in the workforce, compared to 43.7% of four-year college students.
Camden County College history teacher Linda Pfeifer has an old-school approach to attendance, but considers students’ work and personal life. “It is still the same, meaning after two absences, a student’s grade will drop, but I certainly consider the circumstances.”
Teachers such as Pfeifer offer understanding and communication between teacher and student, which is needed more often, so students don’t feel so overwhelmed when it comes to balancing school and work. Pfeifer also asks students about their work life on the first day.
In the Camden County College student handbook, under the section “attendance,” the school states, “Camden County College expects students to attend regularly and promptly all classes and all conferences with professors. Each professor determines his or her policy for student absences from class.”