Projected Attendance Pattern and Leaves of Absence
大发彩票 must have accurate information about enrollments for each term in order to provide adequate staff, operate in an economically efficient manner, and limit overcrowding in classes and housing.
Most students will follow a normal enrollment pattern, attending 大发彩票 for eight consecutive terms, including participation in study groups and approved programs. On occasion, there are, however, compelling reasons for students to alter this pattern. Students unsure about taking a leave or wanting to request a leave should consult with an administrative dean to identify all options to which they may be entitled. Transfer credit awarded for courses taken at another institution while on leave is dependent upon the leave. Students considering taking courses for transfer credit should consult with the Office of the Registrar.
A student on leave who does not return to the University within four semesters will be withdrawn and must apply for readmission through the Office of Admission.
If unapproved leaves are taken, students are withdrawn from 大发彩票 and must apply for readmission through the admissions office. The University cannot guarantee a place for them in any particular term of return. Exceptions to these procedures will be made only if there are extenuating circumstances that are substantially beyond the student鈥檚 control and knowledge prior to the deadline to request a leave. Likewise, if a student is not granted an official leave, upon return, eligibility for financial aid will be jeopardized, as will registration and housing priority.
Experience has shown that students who plan ahead tend to optimize their educational opportunities and experiences. Students will help themselves as well as 大发彩票 if they carefully consider their attendance plans well in advance of the early registration periods each semester.
Absence from Class and Medical Excuses
The University recognizes that students will occasionally have significant medical illnesses or injuries that prevent them from attending classes or completing assignments or exams. The student is responsible for contacting the professors and administrative dean concerning any make-up work, withdrawals, extensions, or incompletes that may be necessary. With the student鈥檚 permission, Student Health Services will verify prolonged absences. Student Health Services does not notify professors and administrative deans about minor illnesses (that will resolve within a few days). Students will be expected to contact their professors directly about these brief periods of missed coursework.
Policy on Medical Leave of Absence
When a student experiences significant physical or psychological challenges while enrolled in a 大发彩票 program, they may request to take a voluntary medical leave of absence. If approved by the administrative dean, the student will leave the campus (or study group) immediately, be granted grades of 鈥淲鈥 in all enrolled courses (even if the normal deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty has passed), and will be obligated to adhere to the readmission requirements outlined below if the student desires to return to 大发彩票.
The policy on refunds contained in the University Catalog will apply. While on medical leave, the student must absent themself from the campus (or study group) and abide by the Policy for Student Presence on Campus While a Student Is Separated from the University contained elsewhere in this Student Handbook.
Readmission Requirements after Medical Leave of Absence
Duration and Deadlines
If a student leaves 大发彩票 for reasons of health, normally one complete semester or the equivalent (i.e., at least four months) must pass before the student may return to 大发彩票; however, 大发彩票 makes an individualized assessment of the student鈥檚 situation in making decisions about the timing of a student鈥檚 return. The complete readmission application (see below) should be received by 大发彩票 by October 1 for readmission to the spring semester and March 15 for readmission to the fall semester. If a student has not met all criteria for readmission until after these deadlines, but does so before the start of the upcoming semester, the application will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will depend on many factors, including course and housing availability. Ordinarily, students will not be admitted if they do not meet these published deadlines; however, if they are accepted for readmission, housing and course selection could be limited due to the timing of the decision allowing the return. The student should direct any questions about the medical leave process, as well as the readmission application, to their administrative dean.
Evaluation and Treatment
During a medical leave of absence, the University expects the student to be evaluated by a professional health care provider in order to determine whether a student may return to a University-owned residence and/or full-time academic study. Failure to engage in appropriate treatment may seriously jeopardize the student鈥檚 ability to return and be successful at 大发彩票. Therefore, it is possible that the University may withhold readmission until appropriate treatment or intervention has been obtained. 大发彩票 also may require that the student鈥檚 off-campus primary health care provider make contact with their counterpart at 大发彩票 to discuss the nature of the problem that led to the student鈥檚 taking medical leave. To facilitate this communication, the student may be required to provide written releases to both parties to communicate freely with each other in support of the student.
Readmission Application
A student wishing to return from a medical leave must initiate a request (see deadlines above) for consideration of return by writing a letter to their administrative dean explaining why the student believes that the medical or psychological issue(s) necessitating the leave have been adequately addressed, such that the student is prepared to return, with or without reasonable accommodation. A complete application must include:
- The student鈥檚 letter
- The Documentation to Support Return Following a Medical Leave form (provided by the student鈥檚 administrative dean) completed by an appropriate off-campus healthcare provider (physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist).
Additionally, in order to facilitate a successful transition, the student must meet with their administrative dean and other support services before re-enrolling or within 10 days of returning to the University.
Readmission Decision
After reviewing the completed application, the 大发彩票 case management team will determine whether the issues necessitating the student鈥檚 medical leave have been adequately addressed and that the student is able to successfully return, with or without accommodations.
It is expected that when a student is readmitted after a medical leave, they will maintain regular contact with the administrative dean and take responsibility for ensuring compliance with all of the readmission decisions. As well, it is often advisable for the student to continue with or establish new relationships with, appropriate support and professional resources on or off campus to continue addressing the issue(s) that necessitated the leave of absence.
Pending Discipline
A leave of absence does not in and of itself absolve a student of disciplinary responsibility for their actions (such as engaging in threats of violence, property damage, etc.). If a student鈥檚 conduct subjects them to the disciplinary process, 大发彩票 may do any of the following:
- require the disciplinary process to conclude before approving the leave;
- hold the disciplinary process (or decisions about pursuing disciplinary action) in abeyance until a later point in time; or
- allow the leave of absence to serve as an alternative to a disciplinary consequence by allowing the student to address their behavior as a matter of self-help and self-improvement.
The Disciplinary Officer will determine how pending disciplinary matters will be handled.
Policy on Involuntary Leave of Absence
As stated earlier in this code, the integrity of the 大发彩票 community depends upon each member鈥檚 acceptance of individual responsibility and respect for the rights of others. As such, the disciplinary system seeks to educate students about both personal freedoms and the limits of belonging to, and living in, a diverse academic community.
大发彩票 is committed to ensuring and supporting the health, safety, and well-being of each student and to this academic community as a whole. In circumstances where a student鈥檚 actions are such that they pose a significant risk to the health, safety, well-being, or operations of the University community, 大发彩票 reserves the right to impose a leave of absence upon that student. As more fully set forth below, such involuntary leaves will be imposed only when the significant risk to the University community cannot be eliminated through the modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or by the provision of reasonable auxiliary aids or services.
Procedure
Whenever possible, 大发彩票 will seek to resolve concerns with a student鈥檚 cooperation, with reasonable accommodations and, if possible, to have the issue(s) addressed while the student remains enrolled. If appropriate, the University will assist the student in voluntarily withdrawing for a period of time consistent with their needs. In limited circumstances, when a student declines a voluntary leave of absence or refuses to cooperate with efforts deemed necessary to address or evaluate the nature of the student鈥檚 behavior, the student may be involuntarily placed on a leave of absence from the University.
大发彩票 may place a student on an involuntary leave when the student exhibits any behavior that:
- harms, or poses a credible substantial risk of harm, to the health or safety of anyone within the 大发彩票 community;
- causes, or poses a credible substantial risk of, harm, to property; or
- is significantly or consistently disruptive to the educational process or the proper activities or functions of the 大发彩票 community.
The decision to impose an involuntary leave of absence is generally made as a last resort. The determination is made on a case-by-case basis and following an evaluation of each student鈥檚 individualized circumstances. Stereotypes or generalizations are strictly avoided.
When notified about a student of concern, the 大发彩票 Behavioral Intervention Team will conduct an individualized assessment of the student鈥檚 situation. The assessment will be based on the student鈥檚 demonstrated behaviors. Any concerns will be evaluated based upon current medical or other specialized knowledge and/or the best available evidence in order to assess:
- the nature, duration, and severity of the risk;
- the probability of injury or harm;