Robert, Thank you for sharing this example with us. Above all things we instructors need to remain flexible in our approach to working with our students. Yes, we as you mention have our policies and requirements but there are always life challenges that come up in the lives of students that require some decision making in relation to that situation. This is the human factor that we need to bring into play as educators and needs to be done on a case by case basis. Over the years I have tried to make the right decisions in cases like the one you mention. Have I been taken advantage of and lied to, yes is the answer but I would rather er on the human side rather than lose a student. For the students that took advantage of or lied to me I figure it will all even out for them later on in life because these students generally operate on the edge all their lives. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.