Two professors and a student are discussing mandatory seminar attendance. Dr Bell (Professor) Seminars are where students engage actively with the material and each other. I've seen the difference it makes those who attend consistently contribute more thoughtfully and perform better overall. That's why I strongly believe we need mandatory attendance to reinforce its importance. Ethan (Student) I get that seminars matter, but making attendance compulsory takes away our autonomy. Some of us manage our learning differently. If someone prefers to study independently or has other commitments, they shouldn't be penalised just for missing a session. What matters is the outcome, not just presence. Dr. Walsh (Professor) I see both sides. The attendance statistics do suggest that students who show up regularly tend to do better, but I'm not convinced penalties are the right solution. Perhaps we should look at positive reinforcement—offer incentives for participation instead of punishments for absence. Dr Bell (Professor) That's worth exploring, though I do worry about accountability. Without any structure, participation can drop significantly. We've seen that trend in the past. Still, I'd be open to reviewing alternatives, especially if we combine incentives with data on how they affect engagement. Ethan (Student) Exactly. Maybe we could run a student opinion poll to gauge how people feel about different attendance policies. If we involve students in the decision making, we're more likely to land on something that works for everyone and not just imposed from the top down. Dr Walsh (Professor) A good idea, Ethan. We could also trial participation incentives bonus points for consistent attendance, recognition for active contributors. At the same time, we should compare it to traditional penalties to see what's actually more effective across different cohorts. Dr Bell (Professor) I'd still like to include some structure. Perhaps we can combine the incentive model with seminar alternatives, like online discussion boards or reflection submissions, for those who truly can't attend. That way, engagement remains central, even if the mode varies. Ethan (Student) That feels like a balanced approach acknowledge that not everyone can be there in person but still expect involvement in some form. I think students will respond better to that than rigid mandates. Dr Walsh (Professor) Alright then, let's proceed with a pilot scheme:incentive based attendance tracking, supplemented with flexible participation options. We'll monitor the response and assess both engagement levels and learning outcomes at the end of the semester before making any long term policy changes.