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Medical Leave Of Absence (“MLOA”) is a category of non-academic leave for students who are temporarily unable to continue their studies or participate in the work program due to a medical or psychological condition. Students on a MLOA are regarded as having permanently withdrawn from the College and need to apply for readmission through the Admissions Office. As part of the readmission process described in this policy, the student must be approved for fitness to return to full-time course work of at least twelve (12) hours and participation in the Work Education Program of fifteen (15) hours per week.
A MLOA may be initiated at the request of a student or it may be required by the College if the College determines that a student’s medical condition, behavior, or emotional or psychological condition compromises minimal standards of academic and work performance and/or college life.
Medical Leave of Absence Requested by a Student
A student may apply for a MLOA by providing a written Request for Medical Leave that is completed by a student or his/her representative. The completed MLOA application along with appropriate documentation from a physician, mental health provider or other qualified caregiver who is not a family member must be submitted to the Clinic Administrator. The student must also sign an Authorization for the Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information to allow the College to speak to the student’s health care providers. The application and supporting information will be reviewed to determine if the leave should be granted.
If a MLOA is granted, the Clinic Administrator will notify the student in writing of the determination along with the Dean of the College, the Dean of Students, the Dean of Work Education, the Dean of Admissions, the Registrar, the Director of Financial Aid and the Business Office. The Registrar will inform the student of the status of current coursework and withdrawal from the College. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Financial Aid Office and the Business Office to discuss the implications of the MLOA on his/her financial aid and on his/her student account.
A MLOA must be initiated within three weeks of the student’s last date of class attendance. A MLOA will not be approved retroactively. A student must complete all necessary paperwork, on or before the final day of classes to obtain a MLOA for the current semester. Any request submitted after the final day of classes will be considered for the following semester. The student may not register for classes while on a MLOA. The granting of a MLOA does not guarantee that the student will be allowed to return to the College.
MLOA Reapplication and Reenrollment
Students returning from a MLOA must provide the Clinic Administrator with a detailed summary of the treatment the student received during the MLOA. If the student is under the care of more than one health care provider, a letter from each and all providers is required. The provider may not be a family member. The health information that is provided must contain the following information: (1) a diagnosis; (2) medications, dosages, length of time on each medication, length of time the student has been stable on the current dosage of each medication; (3) confirmation of the student’s successful completion of coursework, internships or employment (if applicable); (4) the basis for the health care provider’s recommendation that the student is ready to return to the College. The student must sign and date an Authorization for the Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information Form to allow the College to speak to the student’s health care providers. The student will also be required to sign an authorization that permits consultation within the College as to the student’s fitness to return.
The Clinic Administrator will evaluate the information provided by the student and make a determination whether the student is medically able to return to the College. If the College feels that the information provided by the student is inadequate, it reserves the right to obtain a second opinion at its expense. Re-enrollment is based on the student’s readiness to manage a full-time course load of at least 12 hours and participate in the Work Education Program by working 15 hours per week. The Dean of Admissions office will notify the student in writing of its’ determination considering the following: (1) health care provider’s evaluation and recommendation; (2) the student’s demonstrated ability to engage in productive and realistic academic planning; (3) the student’s personal statement included on the re-enrollment application; (4) the student’s interview; (5) any coursework completed or employment during the MLOA; and (6) any other factors the College deems relevant for the student’s particular circumstances.
Medical Leave of Absence Initiated by the College
A MLOA may be initiated by the College when a student’s behavior or emotional or psychological condition compromises minimal standards of academic or work performance and/or college life. Examples of situations where the College may initiate a MLOA include, but not limited to:
- Students deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
- Students whose behavior is severely disruptive to others.
- Students who do not comply with assessment or treatment required by the College.
- Students whose condition requires specialized services beyond those available at the College.
A student placed on an involuntary MLOA may appeal the College’s decision by following the Student Appeals Procedures set out in the Student Handbook.
Students placed on a MLOA by the College will follow the same steps for reapplication/re-enrollment. The granting xii of a MLOA does not guarantee that the student will be allowed to return to the College. Students on MLOA will not be charged for work hours after the official withdrawal date, but are responsible for required work hours prior to that date.
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