UManitoba changes student absence policy to use self-declaration approach

The University of Manitoba has announced that it will be implementing a new student absence policy. Starting in Fall 2022, students will no longer be required to submit a medical note or other documentation if they miss an assignment, test, or exam. Instead, they will be expected to fill out a self-declaration form. UManitoba has changed its policy to reduce strain on the healthcare system and to reduce stress for students who are in extenuating circumstances. “We trust our students will use this option in good faith,” said UManitoba Vice-Provost (Students) Laurie Schnarr. Schnarr noted that a similar system had been implemented at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and that student abuse of the system is rare. “At the moment, we’re short doctors in Manitoba,” said Dr Candace Bradshaw, president of Doctors Manitoba. “A lot of the sick note requests come to family physicians, and freeing up some appointment time with unnecessary visits would be very helpful for us.” UManitoba| Winnipeg Free Press (Acct. Req.) Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.