The attendance register circulates within the class or the lecturer marks it within the first 15 minutes of each session and different letters represent different things in various institutions, for example "P" means a student is present, "U" is unauthorized absence and "S" denotes illness. However, the student notifies the college administrator during the first day of their illness. Maternity absence also exists and complications arising due to pregnancy are excused on grounds of compassion. The register is efficient in keeping tabs on all students and makes it easier for those who do not attend sessions easy to identify.
Colleges allow a professor to either use the college's attendance policy such as class registers or have different attendance policies depending on preference which they state in the course syllabus during the first lesson. However, it is the student's responsibility to read and understand the attendance policy of each of his courses and consult with his instructors on how to compensate for any absences. The instructor determines how many absences jeopardize a student's chances of passing a particular course by including attendance in his grading system. For example attendance of classes may contribute 30 percent of a student's final grade.
Warnings either verbal or written are part of attendance policies. Students caught breaking the policies outlined by the school receive a verbal warning and if they do not take heed, they then receive a written warning that college can accompany with a suspension. Measures such as discontinuation from the university can be undertaken if the student breaks the policies despite several suspensions. Poor time management, drugs and substance abuse are common factors that disrupt a student's regular class attendance.
The government requires all students receiving financial aid to show consistency in their class attendance. DeVry University for instance has an automated way of recording class attendance: every student swipes their I.D. card, issued during the first week of enrollment at the door of every lecture hall as they attend a class. This improves efficiency for both the college faculty and the government in keeping track of the students' attendance. The government stops awarding financial aid if it notes inconsistency in the attendance of a student, however, they give fair warning in advance to the student and if no changes are noted then the government takes necessary actions such as withdrawing the financial aid.