Involuntary Leaves of Absence (Withdrawl)

The University of Rochester provides a wide range of services to support and address the mental and physical health needs of students including assessment, short-term care as appropriate, and referrals.  Our first concern is for the health and welfare of each individual in our community.  Our goal is to enable all of our students to participate fully as members of Rochester’s academic community.  However, students with psychiatric, psychological, or other medical conditions who pose a threat to themselves or others, or who disrupt the educational activities of the University community, may be required to take a leave of absence from the University.  Under these circumstances, students will be given the opportunity to take a voluntary leave.  However, if a student declines to take a voluntary leave, the University may determine that the student’s health and welfare, or the needs of the community, require a period of involuntary leave.  The following policy establishes the protocol under which an involuntary leave of absence may occur and the process for return from such a leave.

Guidelines
The University may place a student on an involuntary leave of absence or require conditions for continued attendance under the following circumstances when the student exhibits behavior associated with a psychological, psychiatric, or other medical condition that:

  • harms or threatens to harm the health or safety of the student or others;
  • causes or threatens to cause significant property damage; or
  • significantly disrupts the educational and other activities of the University community.

Withdrawal Process
When a student exhibits any of the behaviors described above, the matter may be brought to the attention of the Office of the Dean of Students.  The Dean of Students (or designee) may place a student on an involuntary leave of absence or impose conditions upon the student's continued attendance.  The Dean of Students (or designee) will seek an immediate assessment of the student's psychological, psychiatric or other medical condition from The University Counseling Center (UCC), University Health Services (UHS), or from other appropriate professionals regarding the student's circumstances.

The student will be notified that the Dean of Students (or designee) is seeking to determine whether he/she should be required to take a leave of absence.  When reasonably possible, the student will be given the opportunity to confer with the Dean of Students (or designee) and to provide additional information for consideration.

The Dean of Students (or designee) will conclude the review of available information with a decision that may include the following:

  • the student remain enrolled with no conditions;
  • the student remain enrolled subject to conditions (including a description of those conditions); or
  • the student be placed on an involuntary leave of absence.

If the Dean of Students' (or designee's) decision is to require an involuntary leave of absence, the decision will also indicate the length of the leave and describe the conditions (if any) under which the student may seek to return from leave.  The student will then be withdrawn by the Dean of the College.  Further information about the withdrawal process, tuition refund implications of the withdrawal (if any), and applications for readmission are available from the College Center for Academic Support at (585) 275-2354.

The student shall be informed in writing by the Dean of Students (or designee) of the leave decision, the effective date of the leave, and conditions for return (if applicable).  If a student is permitted to remain enrolled subject to conditions, the student shall be informed in writing of the effective date and the duration of the modified attendance.

Process for Return from Leave
A student seeking a return from leave must meet the conditions specified by the Dean of Students (or designee).  The student must apply in writing to the Dean of Students.  It is the responsibility of the Dean of Students to review the student's compliance with specified conditions for the return from leave and to advise other University offices accordingly.  Appropriate administrative duties with respect to commencing this leave process and maintaining its records will be the responsibility of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Confidentiality
All records concerning involuntary leaves of absence will be kept in accordance with the University confidentiality policy and other applicable policies.  No statement regarding the leave of absence or withdrawal appears on the student's official transcript.