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Leave of Absence for Health Reasons & Returning from a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons

Leave of Absence for Health Reasons:

A leave of absence for health reasons may be granted in situations in which a student’s physical and/or psychological functioning was impaired to such a degree that the student could not complete the academic requirements for the semester.

The Dean of Students has the authority to review and grant a leave of absence for health reasons in consultation with Student Wellness Services. 

The leave of absence request must be substantiated by documentation from an appropriately qualified, licensed health care provider, which includes:

  1. A diagnosis of the condition and the time frame during the term in which it occurred,
  2. A descriptive explanation of what impairments in health functioning specifically prevented the student from being able to continue or complete his or her academic requirements. For example, it is not sufficient to state that poor sleep interferes with academic performance.  It is sufficient to state that routinely sleeping for only two to four hours per night diminished concentration, learning, and organized thought so that the student forgot assignments, failed tests, and could not structure ideas to write term papers.
  3. A recommendation that the student take a leave of absence from the semester for health reasons.
  4. The letter should be typed on the professional’s letterhead and addressed to:

Sandy McGhee, Assoc Dean of Students 
Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA  24153
Phone: 540-375-2286
Fax: 540-375-2252
Email: healthservices@roanoke.edu

Clinicians from Student Wellness Services will receive and review documentation from healthcare providers and provide a recommendation to the Dean of Students Office regarding a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons request.

If there has been an event with health consequences so severe that the outlined requirements are precluded or self-evident, then the student, or an immediate or designated family member, may initiate and substantiate the leave of absence request by directly contacting the office above. 

Upon submission of appropriate and sufficient documentation, the Dean of Students or designee makes the determination about granting a leave of absence for health reasons in consultation with Student Wellness Services and notifies the student and the Registrar’s Office.  Written releases of information by the student for their health care providers may be required to supplement the submitted information.  If the leave of absence is granted, the Registrar’s Office notifies other campus offices (e.g. Business Office, Residence Life & Housing, Financial Aid, Campus Safety) as necessary, and a hold is placed preventing the student’s registration. 

A student receiving notification of a leave of absence for health reasons will also be provided information about readmission to the College and lifting the registration hold (see “Requesting a Return from a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons”).  All students that have taken a leave of absence for health reasons must receive a clearance of health before being readmitted and enrolled.  With few exceptions, a student should typically not expect to be enrolled the semester following the withdrawal. 

To initiate a request to leave of absence for health reasons online, click here. 

Returns from a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons:

A leave of absence for health reasons is granted in situations in which a student’s physical and/or psychological functioning was impaired to such a degree that the student could not complete the academic requirements for the semester.  Given these circumstances, it is expected that students will take suitable actions to remedy the problems necessitating this leave of absence and provide substantiating documentation to assess and assure their academic readiness and ability to participate in all aspects of the campus community.  Therefore, prior to your return to Roanoke College you will need to:

Provide a written personal statement indicating:

  1. Explanation of the situation that necessitated the leave of absence for health reasons;
  2. What actions you have taken since the leave of absence to resolve the impairments in functioning due to the health conditions and any other problems that contributed to the leave of absence;
  3. A description of the resources and behaviors that you plan to use to succeed when you return to Roanoke College.
  4. Provide a current Release of Information form allowing the Student Wellness Services Department to discuss your return with any on or off-campus service providers you have worked with. 

Documentation from Health Care Provider:

In addition, you will need to submit appropriate documentation from your health care provider(s) outlining the following: 

  1. The diagnoses corresponding to treatment;
  2. A description of the health impairments that were treated, how they were treated, and the time frame of the treatment;
  3. The improvements in functioning achieved in treatment relevant to college participation and academic success;
  4. Any restrictions in the ability to function in college, and if so, any accommodations recommended;
  5. Ongoing treatment recommendations, including a prognosis based upon the history of compliance;
  6. Risks to the student or others in the community currently, or if treatment recommendations are not complied with;
  7. A recommendation for readmission by the provider based upon the opinion that the student is now able to persist to complete academic requirements for the semester.

In order to allow enough time to process your request, please submit this form, your personal statement, and all other relevant documentation 30 days before the beginning of the semester for which you are requesting readmission.

Submit a request to return from a leave of absence for health reasons online here. 

Medical documentation should be addressed and mailed to:

Sandy McGhee, Assoc Dean of Students 
Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA  24153
Phone: 540-375-2286
Fax: 540-375-2252
Email: healthservices@roanoke.edu

Clinicians from Student Wellness Services will receive and review documentation from healthcare providers and provide a recommendation to the Dean of Students Office regarding a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons request.