Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the criteria for Involuntary Leave of Absence?
- If I were placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence, how long would I be required to be away from the University?
- Will Involuntary Leave of Absence information be kept confidential? How will this information be shared throughout the University?
- Will an Involuntary Leave of Absence be included on my transcript?
- Will my family be involved in the Involuntary Leave of Absence process?
- If I am placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence in the middle of the quarter, what happens to my housing?
- If I am placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence in the middle of the quarter, what happens to my coursework?
- What is the difference between a Voluntary Leave of Absence and an Involuntary Leave of Absence?
- What is a Review Committee?
- Do I need to be at the Review Committee Meeting?
- Can I bring a friend to the Review Committee Meeting?
- When can I request to return to the University?
- What if I am an international student being placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence?
- What are the criteria for Involuntary Leave of Absence?
For a student to be considered for an Involuntary Leave of Absence the student reasonably meets one or more of the following policy criteria:
- Presents a substantial risk of harm to others
- Significantly disrupts the educational or other activities of the university community.
- Is unable to participate meaningfully in educational activities.
- Requires a level of care from the university community that exceeds the resources and staffing that the university can be expected to provide for a student’s well-being.
- If I were placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence, how long would I be required to be away from the University?
There is no set duration of time for an Involuntary Leave of Absence. Students placed on Leave will work with the Dean of Student life to determine conditions for return to campus.
- Will Involuntary Leave of Absence information be kept confidential? How will this information be shared throughout the University?
Compliant with HIPPA guidelines, information regarding students in the Involuntary Leave of Absence process will be kept in utmost confidence. All information released to other parties will be done with the consent of the student.
- Will an Involuntary Leave of Absence be included on my transcript?
As with all type of Leave, students placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence will see “Leave of Absence” under the quarter(s) that the student is on leave. No distinction will be made regarding Voluntary vs. Involuntary.
- Will my family be involved in the Involuntary Leave of Absence process?
If a student is reviewed for an Involuntary Leave of Absence, the student’s parents may be contacted under special circumstances.
- If I am placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence after I have move in to my residence, what happens to my housing?
If a student is placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence after moving in to their residence, the student will not be able to continue living on campus. The student will work with the Dean of Student Life, and their Residence Dean/Graduate Life Dean to arrange for the removal of the student’s belongings and they will work together to make arrangements for new housing upon reentry.
- If I am placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence in the middle of the quarter, what happens to my coursework?
If a student is placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence after the start of an academic term, they student will work with the Dean of Student Life, their Residence Dean/Graduate Life Dean and their professors to make accommodations for completing their coursework.
- What is the difference between a Voluntary Leave of Absence and an Involuntary Leave of Absence?
A student can choose to go out on a Voluntary Leave of Absence should they feel that they would like time away from the University. If a student is placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence, the University has determined that the student needs to take time away from the University. The University will set conditions for the student to meet in order to return to campus.
At any point in the Involuntary Leave of Absence Process, a student can choose to go out on a Voluntary Leave.
- What is a Review Committee?
A Review Committee is a panel of three objective professional staff members convened by the Dean of Student Life to discuss a student’s case that has been referred through the Involuntary Leave of Absence Process. When the panelist are selected, the referred student will be informed in case of potential conflict with any Review Committee members. After reviewing the entire case, The Review Committee will make a recommendation to the Dean of Student Life as to whether or not the student should be placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence and what the conditions for return should be. The Dean has the authority to uphold, amend, or reject the review committee’s recommendation.
- If I am being reviewed for an Involuntary Leave of Absence, do I need to attend the Review Committee Meeting?
Once the Review Committee has been formed and the referred student has determined that there are not conflicts, the student will be notified of the date that the Review Committee will convene.
- 11. Can I bring a friend to the Review Committee Meeting?
The student is welcome to attend the meeting and/or provide a statement explaining the situation from their perspective. The student is also permitted to bring someone for support during the Review Committee meeting.
- When can I request to return to the University?
When a final decision has been made, the student will be notified by the Dean of Student Life in writing. The letter will include information about requesting to return. A student must make a written request to the Dean of Student Life to return to the University at least 60 days prior to the start of the quarter in which the student wishes to return. The request must include evidence that the conditions for return to the University have been satisfied (or will be satisfied by the start of the date of return).
The Dean of Student Life may require further evaluation of the student to determine readiness to return. The Dean of Student Life may ask, confer or seek information from others to assist in making the determination. If the Dean of Student Life is not satisfied that the student is ready to return, the Dean will notify the student in writing of the decision, including the reason for the decision. A student not permitted to return may appeal the decision under section IV above.
- What if I am an international student being placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence?
If an international student is placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence, The Dean on Student Life will work closely with that student and their Residence Dean/Graduate Life Dean to make appropriate arrangements for that student.
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