Leave of Absence

15. Leaves of Absence

A. Personal

A leave of absence is requested when the student, because of unexpected circumstances, is not able to actively pursue his or her graduate program of study. Graduate students who request a leave of absence must petition their Graduate Program Director who, in turn, provides justification for the request to the Graduate Dean. If the Dean grants a leave of absence, the student’s statute of limitations is extended appropriately. However, graduate students on leave of absence must maintain continuous enrollment by paying the Continuation Fee every semester during their leave.

B. Health

When a student’s health or mental health problem precludes successful completion of his or her academic course work, the student may receive a health leave of absence or withdrawal from the University, upon recommendation by the appropriate physician or therapist of the University Health Services. Normally, the leave of absence/withdrawal will result from the student’s voluntary efforts. In exceptional circumstances involving life-threatening behaviors, a student may be asked to leave the university involuntarily until serious life-threatening circumstances have been controlled.

1. A voluntary health leave of absence/withdrawal may be requested by any student with a serious health problem who, in the opinion of the attending physician/therapist, cannot complete his/her course work. All such leaves/withdrawals will be reviewed and approved by the Medical Director or Mental Health Director. In order to remove the conditions of the health leave/withdrawal, a student must present evidence that the health problem no longer precludes successful completion of academic work. At least one academic semester must have passed before readmission for a mental health leave/withdrawal can be considered.

2. An involuntary leave of absence/withdrawal for health reasons may be recommended by a physician or therapist on the staff of the University Health Services. An involuntary health withdrawal must involve a strong likelihood of: serious risk of physical harm to the student him/herself, manifested by evidence of threats of suicide or attempts at suicide or other serious bodily harm; serious risk of physical harm to other persons in the community, including evidence of homicidal or other violent behavior; or a reasonable risk of physical impairment or injury to the person him/herself because of impaired judgment that would not allow the person to live independently or protect him/herself in the community. All recommendations for an involuntary health leave/withdrawal must be approved by either the Medical Director or the Mental Health Director. The reasons for the recommendation must be documented. Once documented and approved, the terms of the leave/withdrawal become effective immediately and the student may be required to leave campus immediately, even though he/she will be able to subsequently appeal the decision.

A student who has been given an involuntary health leave of absence/withdrawal has ten (10) business days to appeal the decision in writing to the Executive Director, University Health Services, stating the reason for the appeal and the desired resolution. An Appeals Panel will be constituted by the Executive Director of the University Health Services and the Dean of the Graduate School, and will be composed of two non-involved physicians, one of whom must be a psychiatrist, and the Dean of the Graduate School or his/her designee. The Appeals Panel will consider the case within five (5) business days of the request for the appeal. At the time of the hearing, the student will have the opportunity to contest the decision and will be permitted to have an adviser present.

The decision of the Appeals Panel is final. Only in cases of procedural irregularity will a further appeal be possible through the Graduate School’s Grievance Procedure. In order to remove the conditions of the involuntary health leave/withrawal, a student must present evidence that the health problem no longer precludes safe attendance at the university. The student will also be examined by the Medical Director or Mental Health Director, or designee, originally involved. At least one full academic semester must have passed from the time of the leave/withdrawal and/or after the appeal before the student can re-enroll if the leave/withdrawal was for mental health reasons.

During the period of a health leave of absence the student must maintain his/her status by paying the Continuation Fee. Accordingly, the Graduate School will adjust the student’s statute of limitations for the duration of the leave of absence.