So it’s not like the syllabus said you lost a point for every day you missed no matter what. Just that participation was worth 60% and you couldn’t make it up with work outside of class.
She probably has a quality measure for participation as well as a quantity measure and kids who are sufficiently engaged when they are there can overcome losing points for their activities.
So, in the end, a nonissue. (Upperclassmen could probably have told him this.)