Leaves of Absence

Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence

The College may require a student to take an Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence in certain circumstances when the student's health may be adversely impacted or the community may be adversely impacted by the student's continued presence on campus. This policy describes how these leaves of absence can be issued and appealed.

The Dean of Students or designee may issue an Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence. An Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence may be issued if:

• The student is engaging in, or is threatening to engage in, behavior that poses a significant danger of causing substantial harm to the health, safety, or welfare of the student or others; or
• The student's behavior has resulted in substantial harm to the health, safety, or welfare of the student or others and the behavior continues, or there is a risk the behavior will continue, posing a significant danger of causing substantial harm to the health, safety, or welfare of the student or others; or
• The student's behavior has resulted in significant disruption of the teaching, learning, or administrative activities of other members of the campus community and the behavior continues, or there is a risk the behavior will continue, with the likely result of such behavior substantially impeding the education processes or proper activities or functions of the College and its personnel.

Before issuing an Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence, the Dean of Students or designee will, when possible:

• Consult with others who can provide relevant information about the student's condition; and
• Provide the student an opportunity to present information about the student's circumstances. If the student is unable or unwilling to meet with the Dean in a timely manner, the student's opportunity to provide information is waived.

The Dean or designee will issue an Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence in writing via email to the student. The written notice will include:

• The effective date of the leave.
• The reasons for requiring the leave.
• The conditions for re-enrollment.
• Any restrictions imposed on the student's access to the campus or College-sponsored activities.

A student wishing to return from an Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence must:

• Notify the Dean of Students of desire to return.
• Document fulfillment of all conditions placed on re-enrollment.
• Meet all other admission and enrollment requirements of the College.

The Dean will notify the student in writing of the decision to approve or deny returning to campus and/or re-enrollment.

Voluntary Leave of Absence

Graduate students are expected to maintain active status through continuous registration from the time they matriculate until they graduate. At times, however, students may need to interrupt their enrollment for reasons they cannot control (e.g., medical, personal or military deployment). Students who are not able to maintain active status are strongly encouraged to consult with the director/chair of their graduate program studies and relevant offices to determine whether requesting a leave of absence is the most appropriate course of action.

Students who experience circumstances that prevent them from maintaining active student status will ordinarily be granted College approval for a leave of absence upon request. Allowing students to take a leave of absence provides students the opportunity to return to the College under the rules and policies in effect when they left and without affecting their time to degree. Students must complete a Leave of Absence form that specifies the term(s) and year(s) of the leave. If the reason for the leave is military deployment, a copy of military orders must be provided; and if the reason is for medical leave, the student must include documentation from their healthcare provider identifying the condition and anticipated time needed for the leave.

The following policies and procedures govern a request for a leave of absence:

• If approved, a leave may be granted for up to one (1) year.
• Students who obtain a College-approved leave of absence will not be eligible for financial aid while on leave and no enrollment will be reported to defer student loans. An appointment with the Office of Student Financial Aid Services will be required prior to leave approval.
• A leave notation will appear on the transcript for the term in which the leave began.
• In order to return from a leave of absence, students must notify the graduate program of their intent to return within a timeframe specified by the Dean by completing the Returning Graduate Student Form.
• Reinstatement to active status may be denied based on crimes or other serious misconduct occurring during the leave that would have been grounds for suspension or expulsion had the student engaged in the conduct while enrolled (for additional information, see the College’s Student Handbook).
• Students whose leave of absence has expired and who have not yet registered for the following term will be administratively withdrawn. Students who are administratively withdrawn must apply for re-admission (see Re-Admission Policy and Procedures).
• Graduate programs may develop additional rules governing leaves of absence, as long as they are consistent with this policy.