Students take a Leave of Absence from their studies at Franklin & Marshall College for many different reasons. These might include time away to pursue a personal, professional or volunteer opportunity, to recover from a health concern, or to assist in a family matter at home that requires the student’s attention. Regardless of the reason, a student considering time away should speak with their House Dean as early as possible. The House Dean handles all leaves and can provide advice on the best way to approach taking a leave. The House Dean can also assist in connecting a student with resources that could be helpful during their time away from F&M. The Leave of Absence website is designed to help students navigate the leave-taking process, thrive during their time away and plan for a successful re-entry into the Franklin & Marshall campus community.
Students may take a Leave of Absence from Franklin & Marshall at any point during their academic career. They may elect not to return after a successfully completed semester to take a personal leave for work or travel or may need some time away to consider future academic plans and goals. Students may alternately choose to take a leave during a semester for health-related reasons. Any student taking a Leave of Absence must consult with their House Dean.
Ideally, students request to take a Leave of Absence before the beginning of an academic term. Taking a leave after a semester has started requires careful thought and consultation. Depending on timing and circumstance, there may be reinstatement conditions or financial implications for a student to consider. A student’s House Dean can provide advice and assistance. Student tuition is prorated based on the time of the request to leave. The Office of Financial Aid can provide additional information.
When a student is granted a Leave of Absence during a semester, the grade of ‘W’ will normally be recorded for courses in which the student is enrolled.
Students must complete their coursework within eight years of their initial matriculation. Should a student be on leave for a length of time that would prohibit completion within this timeframe the student may be withdrawn from the College.
Students on a Leave of Absence may not be on campus and may not attend Franklin & Marshall events - on or off campus. While on leave, students are unable to compete in Franklin & Marshall College athletic programs or to participate in student organizations and student events.
Students on leave should participate in course registration for the semester in which they are expected to return. Course registration instructions will be sent to their Franklin & Marshall email. Students returning from leave should also participate in the selection of housing. Students on leave are typically permitted to submit applications for student leadership and student employment positions for the upcoming semester and normal deadlines apply. All deadlines for these opportunities must be followed and may have an impact on a student's ability to participate.
Personal Leave of Absence
Students may, with the approval of their House Dean, and in consultation with their academic advisor, interrupt their Franklin & Marshall education and take a personal Leave of Absence to pursue other interests. Students desiring to take a personal leave from the College must communicate their intent to their House Dean in advance of the leave and complete a Leave of Absence Request Form.
The conditions governing a Personal Leave of Absence are as follows:
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Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the end of the semester immediately prior to the start of the leave.
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Leaves should begin before the start of a regular semester and may not extend beyond two semesters. Exceptions may be granted by the dean of students.
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Students on personal leave are not considered enrolled at Franklin & Marshall and are expected to leave the College community. Exceptions may be granted by the dean of students.
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Students on leave are not permitted to take academic courses at another institution. In rare instances, students may be granted approval by the Dean of Students or designee to take courses while on leave. Such an exception also requires a petition to be submitted and approved by the Committee on Academic Status.The transfer of academic credit to Franklin & Marshall for course work taken while on leave is subject to the approval of the academic department and the College Registrar..
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Students on personal leave must request a return to campus through the Reinstatement Committee.
Types of Leave - Financial
Financial Leave of Absence
In cases where a student has not fully paid their tuition and/or fees to the College, the College may require the student to take a Leave of Absence. This leave is intended to provide the student an opportunity to assess their financial status so as to complete their financial obligation to the College.
The conditions governing a Financial Leave of Absence are as follows:
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Students on a financial leave of absence are not considered enrolled at Franklin & Marshall and are expected to leave the College community. Exceptions may be granted by the dean of students.
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Students on leave are not permitted to take academic courses at another institution. In rare instances, students may be granted approval by the Dean of Students or designee to take courses while on leave. The transfer of academic credit to Franklin & Marshall for course work taken while on leave is subject to the approval of the academic department and the College Registrar..
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Students on a leave for financial reasons must request a return to campus through the Reinstatement Committee.
Additional information about financial aid can be found by contacting the Office of Financial Aid. https://www.fandm.edu/financial-aid
Academic Suspension
In cases where a student has an academically unsuccessful semester, the student may be suspended and the College may require the student to take a Leave of Absence. This leave is not meant to be punitive; instead, it is intended to provide the student an opportunity to assess their academic progress to date and to allow the student to return to campus after showing appropriate readiness to return.
The conditions governing an academic suspension are as follows:
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Students on a leave for an academic suspension are not considered enrolled at Franklin & Marshall and are expected to leave the College community. Exceptions may be granted by the dean of students.
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Students on academic suspension are expected to enroll in at least one course at another institution during the period of suspension. Successful completion of at least one course to prove demonstrated readiness is required to return to F&M. Successful completion is achieved with a C or higher on the official transcript or certificate of completion from the course taken. The transfer of academic credit to Franklin & Marshall for course work taken while on leave is subject to the approval of the academic department and the College Registrar..
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Students on a leave for an academic suspension must request a return to campus through the Reinstatement Committee.
Detailed information on Academic Suspension can be found in the Course Catalog. https://www.fandm.edu/catalog/academic-standards#performance
Disciplinary Suspension
A student who is found responsible for academic misconduct or conduct in violation of the Student Code may be suspended from the College for a set period of time and required to take a Leave of Absence. Students are permitted to return to the College after meeting the conditions of their suspension and showing appropriate readiness to return.
The conditions governing a disciplinary suspension are as follows:
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Students on a leave for a disciplinary suspension are not considered enrolled at Franklin & Marshall and are expected to leave the College community immediately. Exceptions for timing may be granted by the dean of students.
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Students on leave are not permitted to take academic courses at another institution. In rare instances, students may be granted approval by the Dean of Students or designee to take courses while on leave. The transfer of academic credit to Franklin & Marshall for course work taken while on leave is subject to the approval of the academic department and the College Registrar..
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Students on a leave for a disciplinary suspension must request a return to campus through the Reinstatement Committee.
Additional information may be found in the Student Code. https://www.fandm.edu/college-life-manual/student-rights-freedoms-and-responsibilities/the-student-code
Health Leave of Absence
For a variety of reasons, students may find it beneficial to request a Leave of Absence to address a health condition. In limited circumstances, the College may deem it necessary to require a student to take a Health Leave of Absence. The Health Leave status will continue until the student is prepared to return to the College and is approved by the Reinstatement Committee. This policy outlines the circumstances of such leaves as well as various procedures and conditions, including reinstatement criteria and processes and implications for the student in terms of academic, financial, insurance, and housing matters.
A student is encouraged to request a voluntary Health Leave in the event that they believe that their physical and/or mental health concerns are significantly interfering with their ability to succeed at Franklin & Marshall and/or that the demands of college life are interfering with their recovery, treatment, or safety. A student who, in consultation with either the medical or counseling staff at the Student Wellness Center or their personal health care provider, determines that they need to request a voluntary Health Leave should contact their House Dean to discuss the terms of the leave as determined by the College. Whenever possible, students intending to go on a Health Leave from the College should complete a Leave of Absence Request Form.
The conditions governing a health leave are as follows:
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Students on a health leave are not considered enrolled at Franklin & Marshall and are expected to leave the College community. Exceptions may be granted by the dean of students.
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Students on leave are not permitted to take academic courses at another institution. In rare instances, students may be granted approval by the Dean of Students or designee to take courses while on leave. The transfer of academic credit to Franklin & Marshall for course work taken while on leave is subject to the approval of the academic department and the College Registrar..
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Students on a health leave must request a return to campus through the Reinstatement Committee.
Required Health Leave
Franklin & Marshall College provides a range of support services to address the health care needs of its students, including physical and mental health needs, within the context of the campus community. On occasion, students may experience health needs requiring a level of care that exceeds what the College can appropriately provide, are a threat to themselves or others, and/or are creating a disturbance to the College community. In such circumstances, students ideally take a voluntary Leave of Absence.
In certain circumstances, the Dean of Students, or designee, has the authority to place the student on a required Leave of Absence. If such a determination is made, the College will convey that decision in writing to the student. Any student whose situation falls within the following categories may be required to take a Leave of Absence:
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presents a substantial risk of harm to self or others or is failing to carry out substantial self-care obligations; or
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significantly disrupts the educational or other activities of the College community; or
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is unable to participate meaningfully in educational activities; or
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requires a level of care from the College community that exceeds the resources and staffing that the College can reasonably be expected to provide for the student’s well-being; or
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is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations; or where a student poses an actual risk to their own safety and the student does not want to take a leave voluntarily,
Required leave determinations are based upon an individualized assessment, reflecting reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence. The decision will reflect consideration of a number of factors, including the student’s ability to safely participate in the College’s programs, inclusive of the student’s ability to carry out substantial self-care obligations, and will examine whether the student is otherwise qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to effectively participate in the College community. The assessment will determine the student’s impact on the campus community; the nature, duration, and severity of any risk posed; the probability that the potential injury will actually occur; and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures will sufficiently mitigate the risk. In particularly urgent situations, the College may require the student to leave campus on an interim basis while it performs the assessment.
For the purposes of this policy, the Dean of Students may establish a designee to facilitate the process in order to provide a timely response or where there could be a conflict of interest. Where the Dean of Students is named as a responder or facilitator of an aspect of the policy, a designee may be assigned.
Appeal of Required Health Leave
If a student believes that the College’s decision to place them on a required Health Leave and/or the conditions the College may have placed upon the student’s return from a required Health Leave are unreasonable or that the procedures and/or information relied upon in making the decision were wrong or unfair, the student may appeal the decision. The appeal must be made in writing to the vice president of student affairs or designee. Appeals should clearly state the specific grounds for appeal and should present relevant information to support the statements including medical/clinical evidence in support of their position. In such situations, the student may be required to sign a release to enable the College to consult with the student’s health care provider on the required leave decision and/or conditions placed upon the student’s return. Once notified of the required Health Leave, the student has 48 hours to submit their appeal. The student may not remain on campus during the appeal period. If no timely appeal is submitted, the decision about the required Health Leave and any conditions imposed is final. The college will respond in writing to the student’s written appeal within five (5) business days. The response will provide a conclusion as to whether or not the required Health Leave is appropriate upon a thorough review of the relevant facts and information. The College reserves the right to request an assessment by a health care provider of the College’s choice and at the College’s expense when it is believed that the information available to the College so warrants. In such instances, a delay in the resolution of the appeal may be necessary.
Departure from Campus
A student who takes a leave from Franklin & Marshall College while on campus is required to depart as soon as possible. The date of departure is set by the student’s House Dean and is clearly indicated in the student’s leave notification. Typically, a student must depart within 48 hours of the authorization of a leave and no later than the weekend after the decision. At the Dean’s discretion this deadline can be extended to the following weekend should the decision to take a leave be made close to a weekend and there is insufficient time for the student to arrange for a departure. The House Dean will include the expected date of departure in their Leave of Absence letter and share this information with all appropriate offices including the registrar, housing and financial aid. If the student will not be returning to F&M within the semester, it is important for security purposes that the student pack and remove all personal belongings from their college housing and return their room key before they depart.
Students who take a Leave of Absence over the winter break or who receive notice of academic suspension at the end of the fall semester must pack and remove all personal belongings from their college housing and return their room key to the college before the beginning of the Spring semester. If a student is unable to return to campus due to travel or cost should contact the director of housing to make arrangements for their belongings.
Confirmation of Return Deadline and Returning to Campus
All students on leave from the College for any reason, personal, health, or suspension, classmust confirm their plans to return with the College by the appropriate deadline. This includes completing their Intent to Return documentation, registering for classes, completing financial aid obligations and contacting the housing office. If this deadline is not met, an extension of the leave will automatically be processed. The student may apply to return before the next deadline.
Students returning from a Health leave must also submit all required documentation to the Student Wellness Center and arrange for a return from leave interview with either the Managing Physician or the Head of Counseling Services before the required deadline.
Students who complete the reinstatement process but fail to return to campus at the expected time will receive an email from the College extending their previous Leave of Absence. The student may apply to return before the next deadline. In these circumstances, students are removed from housing and course rosters.
Additional Leave of Absence Information
Return from Hospitalization
A student who is hospitalized as a result of a serious medical or mental health condition may wish to take a Health Leave from Franklin & Marshall in order to further their recovery. If so, the student should follow the voluntary Health Leave process.
If the student no longer requires hospitalization, and has previously been admitted for a mental health condition, that student must be evaluated by the Student Wellness Center counseling staff upon discharge in order to assess their readiness to return to campus and resume classes. Note that, in some situations, while the condition may no longer require inpatient care, the College must make a decision as to the readiness to return to the campus environment. For example, the student may need to continue intensive outpatient care upon discharge. It may be determined, based on an individualized evaluation, that the student has recovered such that the student no longer requires a hospital setting but may still need more support than the student can receive in a residential college setting. In such situations, a Leave of Absence from F&M for health reasons may be needed to allow for a more extended period of treatment/recuperation.
Students hospitalized for medical conditions resulting in significant loss of time from classes or need for extensive ongoing post-hospital care are required to meet with the Managing Physician for the Student Wellness Center should they choose not to take a voluntary health leave. Should the College determine that the student is not ready to fully return to the campus environment, and the student is not willing to take a voluntary health leave, the College may implement a required leave.
Family Notification
In most circumstances, the family of a student taking a leave from the College will receive notification of the student’s change in status. The College reserves the right, consistent with applicable state and federal privacy laws, to notify a parent or guardian of their student’s status if circumstances warrant.
Academic | Off-Campus Study | Financial | Insurance | Campus Mail | Email & Web Access | International Immigration Implications | Housing & Dining | Presence on Campus
Implications of Taking a Leave of Absence
Taking a leave from the College requires careful thought and consultation. Depending on timing and circumstance, there may be reinstatement conditions or financial implications for a student to consider. Listed below are some of the general implications and impacts of taking a leave of which students should be aware. A student’s House Dean can provide additional advice and assistance in navigating any questions or concerns.
Academic Implications
Office of the Registrar
Enrollment Status. While on leave, the student is not an enrolled student at Franklin & Marshall College. The leave status will continue until the student is approved to return by the Reinstatement Committee.
Taking Courses at Other Institutions. The College strictly regulates the circumstances under which students on leave may transfer credits for courses taken during their leave.
Students who wish to take courses while on leave may take a limited course load while on a leave at the discretion of the Dean of Students or designee (eg. College House Dean) and approval from the Committee of Academic Status. Students on a Personal or Health Leave will typically not be permitted to take courses during leave. If a student on a Health Leave seeks approval to take courses during their leave, the student may be required to provide a recommendation, in writing, from the student’s health care provider.
In instances of suspensions for disciplinary or academic reasons, students are generally prohibited from taking classes while on leave from the College. The student’s suspension letter will provide information regarding course work during the suspension, including whether the student has permission to take courses, whether the student is required to take courses, and any parameters regarding when the courses may be taken, among others.
In all cases, if a student enrolls as a degree-seeking student at another institution and later wishes to return to Franklin & Marshall, they must apply through the admission process as a transfer student.
Course Registration. Pending their projected reinstatement to the College, students should participate in course registration. It is strongly advised that the student consult with their course instructors, advisor, and House Dean when choosing courses following leave.
Educational Record Reflection. The student’s transcript will not reflect their leave. In the event a leave occurs after the start of the semester, courses for that semester will be listed on the transcript with grades of “W” (Withdrew). A copy of the student’s leave approval letter will be retained in the Office of the Dean of Students. The handling of the student’s educational record is governed by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Off Campus Study Implications
Office of International and Off-Campus Study
Students on a leave are permitted to submit applications for off-campus study, but must comply with the deadlines for those programs. Questions should be directed to the Office of International and Off-Campus Study.
Financial Implications
Financial Aid Office
Financial Aid Eligibility. Any student not in attendance for one or more terms, for voluntary or involuntary reasons, should be aware that their absence from the College may affect any financial aid they are receiving and/or any federal loans borrowed while enrolled. The student is advised to consult with the Office of Financial Aid to: 1) ensure that all aid forms and required documents have been submitted prior to leaving the College; 2) review any loan repayment obligations that may come due during the leave; and 3) understand the deadlines and form requirements for aid application for return to the College.
Tuition and Fee Refunds. When a student takes a Leave of Absence, and officially notifies the College, their tuition and room and board charges previously paid by the student, less administrative costs, are refunded based on the fee schedule from the office of financial aid.
The College retains the Matriculation Deposit and the Advance Registration Deposit.
A student on a Leave of Absence must meet the normal deadlines for applying for aid in order to be considered for funding for the semester in which he or she plans to return.
Commencing with the last day of enrollment before the leave takes effect, a student who has taken out an educational loan has a six-month grace period before repayment of the loan must begin.
If you have any questions regarding any Financial Aid issues, including any protections to which you may be entitled, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Insurance Implications
Student Health Services
If the student is currently enrolled in the Franklin & Marshall Student Health Insurance Plan, their coverage will continue as specified by the plan policy. If the student waived Franklin & Marshall’s plan, they should consult their comparable plan for any exclusions or limitations. Questions should be directed to the student health insurance coordinator.
Campus Mail
Mail Services
During the leave, mail sent to the student’s on campus box will be forwarded to their permanent address. Packages sent to a student’s campus address will be returned to the sender. Students should be sure to confirm their forwarding address with the Mail Room.
Email and Web Services
IT Helpdesk
During the leave, students retain access to their Franklin and Marshall email address and web-service access. Students experiencing difficulties with web or email access should contact the College’s web help desk.
International Immigration Implications
International Student Services
A change in status at the College may impact a student’s immigration status regardless of the type of leave (health, personal, academic and disciplinary suspension, or financial leave). Students must make every effort to speak with International Student Services before/when going on a leave of absence to discuss specific legal ramifications. Questions about immigration implications of leaves for F-1 and J-1 students, including visa validity, should be directed to the International Student Services (ISS) Office.
Housing and Dining Implications
Housing Office
Students who are on a Leave of Absence may not reside in College-affiliated housing including the College’s on-campus housing, College-owned properties and theme houses, fraternities and sororities, and the approved off-campus housing at College Row, College Hill and the James Street Properties. Student meal plans will be canceled during the leave period and can be reinitiated at the time of a return to campus.
If the student will not be returning to F&M within the semester, it is important for security purposes that the student pack and remove all personal belongings from their campus room and return their room key before they depart.
In anticipation of return, students should discuss availability and options for housing and dining with the Director of Housing. Students on leave during the Spring Term are eligible to participate in the spring housing lottery. On a case-by-case basis, the College, in consultation with the student’s health care providers if appropriate, may determine that a returning student should not live on campus but is capable of attending classes. In addition, specific college housing may not be available to the student upon their return, due to space limitations.
Presence on Campus
Students who are on a Leave of Absence may not be on campus or in properties affiliated with the College including but not limited to athletics facilities and approved off-campus residential properties such as fraternity and sorority houses, College Row, College Hill apartments or James Street residences. Students must obtain the written permission of the Office of Student Affairs before returning to these locations for any reason, including any proposed return during the summer months. To obtain permission you must write to the office in advance of your visit explaining the reasons for your visit and the duration of your visit. While on leave a student may not use College facilities, including libraries, housing, the fitness center and athletics facilities, health services, nor the college center.
Reinstatement
A student who is on any type of leave —whether voluntary or required—must apply for reinstatement before the student is allowed to return to Franklin & Marshall College.
The student must submit their Intent to Return Form before the established deadline. This form must include clear evidence that the student has addressed the terms of the student’s leave contained in the letter confirming the student’s leave (which is typically from the students College House Dean or the Committee on Academic Status).
If a student’s Leave of Absence extends for more than two (2) semesters, updated medical documentation is required to be submitted to the Student Wellness Center before final consideration of their request to return to the College can take place.
All criteria for reinstatement, including the submission of all appropriate documentation must be submitted before the deadline. In extenuating circumstances, some documentation may not be available before the deadline for reasons beyond the student’s control. These students may be approved to return conditionally. This conditional status will be communicated in the approval notification along with the date by which the materials must be received. Should the student fail to submit the appropriate documentation before the extended deadline, the Leave of Absence will be continued.
Students on leave are eligible to apply for reinstatement as of the date indicated at the time of their departure. The College may establish specific requirements for reinstatement if the circumstances of the students’ departure warrant it. The goal of such conditions is to prepare the student for a successful return to the College; for example, a student may be asked to complete pre-approved coursework at an outside institution in order to demonstrate readiness to return to rigorous academic work or to participate in a reinstatement consultation with the College’s Student Wellness Center staff to facilitate a successful return.
Once the Reinstatement Committee has reached a decision, the student will be notified by the College.
Students on leave for disciplinary or academic reasons when departing the College will resume their probationary status upon their return for the duration of the assigned probation period.
Readiness to Return
F&M wants to ensure that students can successfully return to the College after taking a Leave of Absence. Accordingly, students who wish to return must demonstrate they are able to successfully resume their academic program and live within the College’s residence spaces. Students returning from a health leave must be well enough to carry out substantial self-care obligations and participate meaningfully in their educational activities.
All students returning from a leave must write a personal statement documenting why they wish to return. The personal statement should describe what the student did while on leave; what the student perceives were the reasons for the leave; and what changes, if any, the student plans to implement that will allow the student to safely and effectively meet the requirements of their program. An essential element of this personal statement is to share what demonstrable steps they have taken to implement these changes. Any specific expectations articulated by the College at the time that the student’s leave was enacted must also be addressed.
Students returning from leave will need to work with several campus support areas, including the College’s Care Coordinator, Student Wellness Center, Housing, Financial Aid, Student Accessibility Services, the Registrar, etc. To help coordinate among these units in facilitating the return, returning students are encouraged to contact the College’s Care Coordinator for assistance.
Reinstatement Following Health Leave
In addition to their Intent to Return Form, students returning from a Health Leave must also send to the Student Wellness Center a report from the student’s physician and/or health care provider. The report is expected to include documentation of the student’s current health status, course of treatment undergone during the leave, and the student’s compliance with any treatment plan, as well as any specific recommendations for the student and the College with respect to the student’s successful return to Franklin & Marshall. The report, submitted in English, must address the following:
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Diagnosis
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Summary of evaluation with test results
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Treatment response
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Recommendations for current care and follow up
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Statement on readiness to return to Franklin & Marshall College
The health care provider submitting the report must be appropriately licenced. Further, all providers must be unrelated to the student and must have a specialty and credentials appropriate for the condition(s) of concern. The student is responsible for any costs associated with the provider’s evaluation.
The student is also required to schedule an interview with the appropriate Student Wellness Center staff member after all required documents have been sent and received and before the application deadline. Interviews must be scheduled with either the head of Counseling Services or the Management Physician depending on the relevant health condition. Student Wellness Center professional staff will review the submitted documentation as well as information obtained during the interview process in order to make a recommendation to the Reinstatement Committee.
In order to fully understand the care provided while on leave and answer any additional questions that may arise regarding the student’s readiness to return to a campus environment, the Student Wellness Center may request further information from the student’s health care providers. In order to provide for such requests, the student will be asked to sign and return a release form with their health care provider allowing this communication. If needed, the student can request a release form from the Student Wellness Center that may be completed by the students provider. The College reserves the right to request an assessment by an outside health care provider, of the College’s choice at the College’s expense, when it believes the circumstances so warrant.
In the event that the student is permitted to return to Franklin & Marshall, the student must speak with their House Dean and the College’s Care Coordinator before returning in order to discuss the terms of the student’s return, including, if appropriate, a discussion of a continuing treatment plan for the student. If such a plan is established, and if the student does not follow the established plan, the College will have the right to revoke its decision to reinstate the student and will have the right to require the student to resume their Health Leave immediately.
Appealing Denial of Reinstatement
In the event that a student’s request for reinstatement is denied, the decision may be appealed in writing to the Vice President of Student Affairs. If the denial is based on academic grounds, the decision may be appealed in writing to the Provost. A student has five (5) business days to appeal. The decision of the appeal is final.
Leave Deadlines
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The deadline for requesting a leave after a successful semester:
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June 1 (Fall)
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January 1 (Spring)
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The deadline for submitting a request for reinstatement:
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May 1 (Fall Reinstatement)
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December 1 (Spring)
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International students who require a visa may apply by November 1 for a provisional approval pending any requirements set at the time of departure.
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Guidelines for Documentation of Medical Treatment During a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons
As a student who has been granted a Leave of Absence from Franklin & Marshall College for health reasons, you are expected to pursue treatment in an appropriate inpatient or outpatient setting. Treatment should be provided by a licensed physician or health care practitioner specific to your area of need, and should commence immediately upon your leaving the College.
When you are ready to return to the College, you must arrange for the physician clinical providers with whom you received evaluations and/or treatment to forward a written report, in English, to the Director of Health Services. You will need to schedule an interview with the Director of Health Services or the Director of Counseling Services as appropriate. The report, or reports must be received at least one week before your interviews at the College.
The report, or reports submitted by your provider(s) must be comprehensive. Telephone calls and brief letters simply indicating that you have received treatment will not be satisfactory and will delay the return process. A Readiness to Return Form is provided as a guide for your Care provider. During your first session with the care provider evaluating and/or treating you, please share with him or her, the following guidelines.
Guidelines for Report:
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Diagnosis
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Summary of evaluation with test results
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Treatment response
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Recommendations for current care and follow up
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Statement on readiness to return to Franklin & Marshall College
If your Leave of Absence for Health Reasons was granted jointly by Health and Counseling Services, please refer to guidelines from Counseling Services for your therapist’s report.
In order to expedite the process and potentially better advocate for the student, it is highly recommended by the Student Wellness Center that the student sign a release with their health care provider(s) allowing their rprovider(s) to communicate with the appropriate individual at the Student Wellness Center regarding the student’s care and current condition.
Please send all reports to:
Amy A. Myers, MD, Managing Physician of the Student Wellness Center
Penn Medicine / Lancaster General Health at Franklin & Marshall College
Student Wellness Center
915 Harrisburg Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603
FAX: 717-235-9
Created: 1999 - Revised 2009, 2013, 2014, 2019
Student Readiness to Return from Health Leave Form [Student]
To the student:
This form is used to provide guidance to the Reinstatement Committee to consider your application to return to Franklin & Marshall College from your Leave of Absence. Please complete your section below of this document and then give this and all attached pages to your treating clinician/health care provider(s) to complete.
To be completed by the student:
Student Name: _______________________________ DOB: _______________________
Student ID # ________________________________
Date/Semester you wish to return: __________________________________
Information about Provider:
Provider name: __________________________________________________________
Provider address: ________________________________________________________
Provider phone: : _________________________________________________________
I understand that this information is for the purpose of assisting in the evaluation of my readiness to return to Franklin & Marshall College, and for the coordination of my care should I be authorized to return.
I also authorize the clinical staff and the Student Wellness Center to assess and summarize my readiness for reinstatement to the appropriate Franklin & Marshall officials.
_____________________________________________________ ____________
Student Signature Date
Please send all reports to:
Amy A. Myers, MD, Managing Physician of the Student Wellness Center
Penn Medicine / Lancaster General Health at Franklin & Marshall College
Student Wellness Center
915 Harrisburg Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603
Student Readiness to Return from Health Leave Form [Care Provider]
To the Provider:
When a student takes a Leave of Absence for health reasons from Franklin & Marshall College, the student must provide documentation from their care provider indicating that the student has received care and is ready to return to community living and the rigors of the academic program.
The student named above is applying to return to Franklin & Marshall College following a health leave. The information you provide will be used to make a recommendation to the College to help them make a determination as to the student’s readiness to return. The medical documentation will NOT become a part of the students academic report. It will be maintained in the student’s private (HIPAA Compliant) medical record.
All of the following information is required to be considered for reinstatement following a health Leave of Absence.
Diagnosis
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Summary of evaluation with rest results
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Treatment response
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Recommendations for current care and follow up
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Statement on readiness to return to Franklin & Marshall College
Things to consider regarding readiness to return:
Franklin & Marshall College offers a rigorous curriculum in which students are responsible for
maintaining good academic standing. While a student has the support of a College House Dean and academic advisor, students are expected to take ownership of their academic progress and seek assistance, as needed.
Is the student ready to re-engage in coursework (i.e. attend class, meet deadlines, complete work in a timely fashion, seek assistance as needed)?
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Is the student able to manage a full course load (4 courses) upon return?
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Do you advise that the student seek academic accommodations for their medical/mental health concerns? If yes, please list recommended accommodations.
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Is the student able to participate in course discussions and engage with peers in appropriate ways?
The majority of undergraduate students at Franklin & Marshall live in residence halls with a roommate. For first year and second year students, halls are supervised by peer House Advisors (HA). Third and fourth year students primarily live in unsupervised apartments. HAs are not responsible for monitoring specific students or providing custodial care or oversight.
Is the student able to live independently without close supervision?
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Is the student able to manage their own self-care (i.e. personal hygiene, eating, sleeping)?
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Is the student able to live in a community that can be disruptive to routines (i.e. sleep, study) due to distractions and other causes?
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Is the student able to live in an environment where they might be exposed to substances such as alcohol and other drugs?
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Is the student ready to return to a residence hall room with a roommate?
Signed release allowing communication between the health care provider and the Student Wellness Center.
It is highly recommended that the student sign a release with their health care provider(s) allowing communication between the provider(s) and the appropriate Student Wellness Center staff (Head of Counseling or Managing Physician) depending on the nature of the health leave. Please encourage the student to sign a release with you and include a copy of a signed release with the above information.
Franklin & Marshall College provides a range of support services to address the health care needs of its students, including physical and mental health needs, within the context of the campus community. On occasion, students may experience health needs requiring a level of care that exceeds what the College can appropriately provide, are a threat to themselves or others, and/or are creating a disturbance to the College community. In such circumstances, students ideally take a voluntary Leave of Absence.
If it is determined by the Dean of Students that a student should be required to take a Leave of Absence, the Dean, will convey that decision in writing to the student.
For clarity and consistency, the following procedural process has been established when the College is considering requiring a student to take a Leave of Absence.
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The Dean of Students will consult with the student’s College House Dean, the Director of the Student Wellness Center (SWC), and/or the Director of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) prior to making a decision to impose a required Leave of Absence.
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The Dean of Students will meet with a student to discuss why the student is being considered for a required leave. The Dean will share contact information for Student Accessibility Services and the Student Wellness Center, each of which can provide information about possible accommodations including the possibility of taking a voluntary Leave of Absence. The Dean will also provide the student a copy of this policy along with contact information for the College Care Coordinator, an administrator who can be a resource to answer student questions regarding referral through return to F&M.
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In deliberating the decision, the Dean of Students will consider potential accommodations and/or modifications that could remove the need for a required Leave of Absence, such as the option to take a voluntary Leave of Absence, academic accommodations, housing and dining accommodations, and reasonable modifications to College policies, rules, and regulations.
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The student may be asked to complete an individual assessment with College personnel to get information regarding issues relevant and appropriate to the consideration of a required Leave of Absence. If a student does not participate or respond to the request within the time frame set by the Dean of Students, the Dean may proceed based on the available information.
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The Dean of Students will confer, when appropriate and feasible, with campus colleagues regarding the circumstances leading to a required leave. While cases will vary, conferring individuals may include: College House Deans, faculty members; academic advisors; Student Wellness Center staff (with appropriate authorization); Department of Public Safety staff; members of the College’s threat assessment team; and/or; such other individuals as may be appropriate.
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Particular attention will be paid to the criteria for requiring a Leave of Absence, specifically:
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Whether current knowledge about the student’s medical condition and/or the best available objective evidence indicates that a student poses a significant risk to the health or safety of a member of the College community;
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Whether a student is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations and poses a significant risk to their own safety; and/or
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Whether a student’s behavior severely disrupts the College community.
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The Dean of Students will also consider the opinion of the student’s treatment provider(s), regarding the student’s ability to function academically and safely at the College with or without reasonable accommodations. If the Dean needs additional information to make a decision, the Dean, with proper authorization, will contact the treatment provider(s)to obtain additional information. In certain circumstances, the College may require the student to undergo an additional evaluation by an independent and objective professional designated by F&M, if the Dean of Students believes it will facilitate a more informed decision.
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After consultation and based on the relevant information available, the Dean of Students will decide if the student should be placed on a required Leave of Absence, and will provide the decision to the student in writing; including, if appropriate, information about the appeal process. When students must remain away from the College while the review is conducted, the Dean will make every effort to finalize a decision within five business days, provided the student responds in a timely manner to requests for information and, if appropriate, evaluation.
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If a required Leave of Absence is imposed, the decision statement of decision will provide:
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the basis for the decision and a time-frame for when the student must leave the College
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when the student may be eligible to apply to return to the College
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the conditions and/or requirements the student will need to satisfy to be eligible for return.
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contact information for the Care Coordinator.
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The length of the leave will be determined on an individual basis.
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If a required Leave of Absence is not imposed, the Dean of Students may require conditions under which the student is allowed to remain at the College.
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An appeal may be submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) or designee, within 48 hours of receiving the decision. The written request for appeal must specify the particular substantive and/or procedural basis for the appeal, and must be made on grounds other than objections to the decision. The appeal review will consider the following:
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Were the proper facts and criteria brought to bear on the decision?
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Is there any new information not previously available that may change the outcome of the decision-making process?
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Were there any procedural irregularities that materially affected the outcome?
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Given the proper facts, criteria, and procedures, was the decision a reasonable one?
After reviewing the matter, a decision will be sent to the student, in writing, affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision to place the student on a required Leave of Absence. This decision is final, and no other appeals may be made.
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