I have had some students in the past that have emailed me their homework and then told me that they are going to be absent from class. Is it fair of me to have in the syllabus that homework is to be handed to me in person on the date that it is due or there will be a deduction in their grade. I need to find some ways of getting students in the class. Of course, if it is due to a "compelling" reason than I would work with that individual specifically. But, just recently, I had a student miss a class a week before the final because her daughter was having a concert at the same time as her class. I don't believe that is a "compelling" reason. Any feedback would be great on this. I am also going to work on a "participation" grade for my classes. I want to give them feedback at various times throughout the quarter on how I see them in class and how it would compare to the actual working world. I could include assignments in that section as well.