Know Your Notes

A Guide for Faculty

“Know Your Notes” is a guide for Wake Forest University faculty that explains the types of official student notes they may receive regarding students’ health, accommodations, and support situations. The guide distinguishes between:

Verification notes: Simply verify a student was seen by University Counseling or Deacon Health; they do not confirm illness severity. Faculty are encouraged to use existing class policies for minor illnesses, regardless of the presence of a note.

Major Illness Notes: Issued by the Office of Academic Advising for significant events (e.g., serious illness, hospitalization, traumatic life events) and request faculty flexibility for up to two weeks to allow students to catch up on missed academic work.

Accommodation letters: Provided by the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success (CLASS), these documents legally require accommodations under the ADA and Section 504, ensuring equitable academic access for students with disabilities.

Title IX Supportive measures: Address issues falling under Title IX or other interpersonal violence and equity policies. Communications may also reference pregnant or parenting student support.

Excused Absences: Decisions about absences—whether excused or unexcused—are made at the discretion of individual professors. To avoid confusion or misunderstandings, students are encouraged to review each course’s attendance policy at the beginning of the semester and reach out to their professors early with any questions. If you become actively ill and may be contagious (see guidelines for upper respiratory illnesses or stomach bugs), notify your professor via email as soon as possible. If your illness significantly impacts your ability to participate in class over an extended period, please contact the Office of Academic Advising (OAA) for additional support and guidance.

The document emphasizes student privacy (details of medical/mental health conditions are typically not provided), and encourages faculty to support students’ wellbeing without compromising academic standards. Additionally, faculty are invited to reach out to appropriate campus offices if they have questions or concerns about student situations.