Policy Author:
Faculty Senate
Responsible Office – Department:
Faculty Senate
Effective Date of Policy:
Fall 2021
Purpose:
Establish guidelines and procedures around a Leave of Absence and the withdrawal from University process
Scope and Applicability of this Policy:
All students, Faculty, Faculty Advisors, Academic Advisement
Policy Narrative:
A student who withdraws from the University before completing a degree is required to fill out a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Form. This form is available in the Office of Academic Advisement and online from the web page of the Registrar. Upon completing the form, the student arranges for an exit interview with a staff member from the Academic Advisement office. Upon completion of the exit interview, the withdrawal process is finalized. Return after withdrawal from the University necessitates a formal application to the Office of Admissions for readmission. A student accepted for readmission following withdrawal must meet all requirements in force at the time of the student’s return to the University.
If a student wishes to withdraw from the University after the last date for authorized withdrawal, a formal, written petition for a withdrawal from all classes must be presented with a letter of support from a faculty advisor and with available substantiating documentation when appropriate for consideration by the Committee on Academic Standards. Filing for withdrawal does not preclude suspension or dismissal at the conclusion of a semester.
If a student withdraws from all classes before the end of the semester, the student should use the Withdrawal From All Courses form, which is available in the Office of Academic Advisement. If the student intends to register for the subsequent semester, no other form is needed. If the student does not intend to return for the subsequent semester, the Leave of Absence/ Withdrawal Form should also be completed.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY
A leave of absence from the University may be granted to students for reasons other than academic difficulties for up to one full year after the end of the semester in progress. Full-time students who do not intend to return in a subsequent semester must file for a Leave of Absence in order to remain classified as an “active” student. Part-time students are permitted to skip one semester between registered periods without having to file for a Leave of Absence. If the part-time student does not return after one semester of absence, the student must file for a Leave of Absence in order to remain classified as an “active” student. The leave requires final approval by the Office of Academic Advisement and begins after the end of the semester in progress. Students desiring a leave of absence should complete the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Form available on line (accessible from the Registrar’s office web page) and in the Office of Academic Advisement. The student must indicate his/her intended date of return to the University on the form. If the student does not return to the University on or before the appropriate date, he/she will be considered as having withdrawn from the University. Withdrawal necessitates a formal application to the Office of Admissions for readmission. A student returning from a Leave of Absence must meet all requirements in force at the time of the student’s return to the University. Students taking a Leave of Absence who have received long-term loans must consult the Financial Aid Office for information about loan repayment obligations. Students taking a Leave of Absence who are receiving other forms of aid should consult both the Office of Student Accounts and the Financial Aid Office before leaving Daemen. Filing for a Leave of Absence does not preclude suspension or dismissal at the conclusion of a semester.
Students who were placed on probation at the time they took a leave or withdrew will, upon their return, continue to be on probation and will be required to meet the conditions set by the University while they are on probation.
Policy for veteran students: Once enrolled and certified as a Daemen student, should you have to suspend your study due to service requirements, you may withdraw from courses with no financial liability. Depending upon the duration of service required, other options may be available to students who feel they have significant investment in the semester and who do not wish to withdraw from a semester entirely. In each case, you must notify the Veterans’ Certification Officer of your impending service requirement, and to discuss financial options available to you. Regardless of the financial option chosen as a result of the service requirement, all service members may return to their academic program upon completion of service requirements.