Students are expected to be enrolled continuously from their initial enrollment through graduation. Understanding that unexpected events may occur, the College allows for a student to request a leave of absence or withdrawal. If a student withdraws from a course during the last five weeks of the semester, he or she will receive an F (failure) in the course. A student who officially withdraws for medical reasons will receive a W regardless of the time of withdrawal. Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence are not permitted to visit campus without permission from the Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities. Gettysburg College reserves the right to initiate or require a leave of absence or withdrawal for academic, behavioral, disciplinary, or medical reasons and reserves the right to defer or refuse readmission.
Leave of Absence
A student who wishes to take a semester off for personal or medical reasons may request a leave of absence. The duration of a leave of absence is normally no less than three months. A leave of absence allows a student to retain electronic access to College resources and participate in registration activities for the following semester. Students on a leave of absence may not remain on campus and may not participate in College activities. To initiate a leave of absence, a student must submit a leave of absence request form to the Office of Academic Advising. A leave of absence must be approved by the Academic Standing Committee and will be reviewed by the Office of the Vice President of College Life and Dean of Students. A student who has been granted a leave of absence may, with the advance approval of the Academic Standing Committee, study at another institution and transfer those courses to Gettysburg College. Proposals for such study must be submitted to the Office of Academic Advising for submission to the Academic Standing Committee.
Withdrawal
A student who wishes to leave the College for personal or medical reasons for more than one semester may request a withdrawal. A withdrawn student is no longer considered a degree candidate, may not remain on campus, and may not participate in College activities. To initiate a withdrawal, a student must submit a withdrawal request form to the Office of Academic Advising. A withdrawal must be approved by the Academic Standing Committee and will be reviewed by the Office of the Vice President of College Life and Dean of Students. A student who has been granted a withdrawal may, with the advance approval of the Academic Standing Committee, study at another institution and transfer those courses to Gettysburg College. Proposals for such study must be submitted to the Office of Academic Advising for submission to the Academic Standing Committee.
Required Withdrawal
Any student not enrolled as a full-time student and not granted permission for part-time status will be required to withdraw and leave campus.
Suspension
A student may be suspended for academic, behavioral, or disciplinary reasons. At the time of suspension, the student will be notified of the semester that he or she may be eligible for readmission to the College. A student suspended for academic reasons for a second time is not eligible for readmission.
Readmission
A student who has been granted a leave of absence, has withdrawn, or has been suspended may be required to meet and document certain conditions prior to return or readmission These conditions will be set out in the letter sent to the student establishing the leave of absence, withdrawal, or suspension. Students must notify the Office of Academic Advising of their desire to return from suspension or withdrawal by April 15 and from leave of absence by June 1 for a fall semester return. All students desiring to return for a spring semester must notify the office by November 1. Applications for readmission will be reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee and by the Office of the Vice President of College Life and Dean of Students.
Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
A key component of Gettysburg College's mission is to provide a safe environment where students can pursue their academic and social goals. The College may require a student to take a leave of absence or withdrawal if the College believes the student's continued presence on campus poses a direct threat to self or others or to the stability and continuance of normal college operations.
A Medical or Psychiatric Leave of Absence, whether voluntary or involuntary, is not a substitute for appropriate disciplinary action. A student suffering from a medical or psychiatric disorder who is accused of a disciplinary violation will not normally be exempted from the disciplinary process unless, as a result of the medical or psychiatric disorder, the student lacks the capacity to respond to the charges, or did not know the nature and the quality of the action in question.
A. Standards for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
Typically, a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal will arise from a student exhibiting acute or persistent health or behavioral problems. Each situation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The College may initiate the Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal process if, in the judgment of the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students, a student meets one or more of the following standards:
1) Students who are deemed to be a direct threat to themselves or others. A direct threat to self or others includes any danger of suicide, self-mutilation, accident, or assault that necessitates unusual measures to monitor, supervise, treat, protect, or restrain the student to ensure his or her safety and the safety of those around the student. As a standard practice, students who attempt suicide are normally expected to take a minimum of two semesters leave of absence from the College.
2) Students whose behavior is disruptive to others. Disruptive includes behavior which causes emotional, psychological or physical distress to fellow students or staff substantially above that normally experienced in daily life. Such disruption may be in the form of severe distress associated with one or more behavioral incidents, or somewhat less severe but persistent distress over a more extended period.
3) Students who refuse to cooperate with recommended assessment or treatment and whose physical or psychological disorder seems likely to deteriorate to the point of permanent disability, disfigurement, impairment or dysfunction without such assessment or treatment, thus presenting a direct threat to the health and safety of the student or others. Where standard assessment is impossible because of the student's resistance, indirect behavioral observations will constitute the basis for judgment.
4) Students whose physical or psychological disorder poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the student or others and substantially exceeds the normal limits of College or local treatment resources.
B. Guidelines
When conditions allow for the full investigation and appraisal of the student's health status, resolution of the situation will be sought with the student's cooperation if at all possible. Voluntary withdrawal or leave of absence is encouraged to maximize the participation of the student or his or her family. If a student declines voluntary withdrawal or leave of absence, he or she may be separated without consent by action of the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students or designee. (This action will be recorded on the transcript as a withdrawal from current courses.)
Students who withdraw or are separated for reasons of health are eligible to receive a refund for tuition and housing in accordance with the existing College refund policy.
C. Procedures for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
Any individual who believes that a student meets one or more of the standards described above should contact the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students. The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students will appoint a College Life administrator to act as the Coordinator of the Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal process.
The Coordinator should conduct a preliminary, informal review and determine whether the matter should be referred to the Health Review Committee or if a reasonable accommodation can be made. If the Coordinator deems that the student does not meet any of the standards for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal, this process will terminate, and the Coordinator will generally meet with the student to develop alternative actions deemed appropriate, including a behavioral contract or initiating disciplinary action.
If the Coordinator deems that the student may meet one or more of the standards above for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal, the student is referred to the Health Review committee for a review.
The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students will appoint three individuals to serve on the Health Review Committee. These individuals may be from the following departments: Health & Counseling Services, Academic Advising, and/or College Life Office. The resources of the College consulting psychiatrist may be requested by the committee as appropriate to its mission.
The Health Review Committee will notify the student of an opportunity to meet with the committee. The Committee may require an assessment of the student by the medical/psychiatric provider identified by the Committee to determine if the student meets the standards above. However, an assessment is not required in determining whether the standards above have been met. The Committee will receive all medical, psychological or observational reports submitted with regard to or on behalf of the student as may pertain to determining health status. Treatment and evaluation reports should include information pertaining to diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. With the information available, the Committee will also determine if a reasonable accommodation can be made.
If the Committee concludes that the student does not meet any of the standards for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal, it will inform the student in writing and this process will terminate. Generally, the Committee will meet with the student to develop alternative actions deemed appropriate, including a behavioral contract or initiating disciplinary action.
If the Committee concludes that the student does meet one or more of the standards for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal, the Committee will notify the student of its decision in writing and will include its reasons for this conclusion. The Committee's decision will become effective immediately upon deposit in the mail or hand delivery.
D. Interim Measures
In all cases where a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal is being reviewed, the College will undertake an appropriate review and take prompt and effective action to support and protect the student(s) involved. This includes taking appropriate interim measures before the final decision is made. Accordingly, the College may impose a "no contact" directive, which will typically include a directive that the parties refrain from having written, verbal or physical contact with one another, directly or through a third party, pending a Health Review and final decision. The College may also take any further protective action that it deems appropriate concerning the student pending the Health Review and final decision, including, without limitation, directing the appropriate College officials to alter the student's class schedule, housing (including restriction from College housing), and/or access to the campus (including class attendance).
E. Appeal Process for a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
A decision reached by the Health Review Committee may be appealed by the student to the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students within seven (7) calendar days of the decision. Such appeals should be in writing and include specific points the student wishes the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students to consider.
The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students has seven (7) calendar days to review the information presented and inform the student of his or her decision in writing. The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students may (1) uphold the decision of the Committee, (2) adjust the finding, (3) refer the matter back to the Committee for further proceedings, or (4) reverse the decision of the Committee and reinstate the student. The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students' decision is final.
F. Process for Readmission to the College after a Required Medical or Psychiatric Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
Readmission of a student who has been placed on a Medical or Psychiatric Required Leave of Absence or Withdrawal will follow the readmission guidelines set by Academic Advising in consultation with other departments at the College (e.g., Health and Counseling Services and the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students). Typically, at a minimum, conditions for readmission will include medical or psychiatric treatment during the period of leave and verification of compliance with recommendations of treatment providers. Students will be required to provide relevant medical information to Health and Counseling Services. Health and Counseling services will consider recommendations of the student's care providers regarding readmission, but it will make decisions independently and in accordance with all available information and expertise. Thus, a recommendation for readmittance from a student's healthcare provider(s) is not in itself sufficient grounds for readmission. Failure of the student to cooperate in these procedures, to comply with required conditions of the leave or withdrawal, or to provide accurate and complete information is grounds for reconsideration of the student's status. These guidelines will include a provision of relevant medical information to Health and Counseling Services.
Readmission may include stipulations concerning class schedule, extracurricular activities, place of residence or other conditions as may be judged to be in the best interest of the student and the College.
Some material adapted from Lehigh University and the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Alcohol and Drug Required Leave
A key component of Gettysburg College's mission is to provide a safe environment where students are able to pursue their academic and social goals. The College may require a student to take a leave of absence if a student illustrates that he or she is repeatedly unable to make sound and safe decisions about alcohol and drug use, or the student engages in drinking or drug use that threatens the life, health and safety of one's self or others. This term of Alcohol and Drug Required Leave will be invoked for significant or repeated violations of the terms of the College's Alcohol and Drug Policy Points System.
The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students or his/her designee will determine the terms of the Alcohol and Drug Required Leave. If a student violates the terms of the Alcohol and Drug Policy Points System by reaching or exceeding ten points, the terms of the Alcohol and Drug Required Leave will normally include a provision for the student to receive care (medical, psychiatric, psychological, counseling, or therapy) while on leave.
Our procedures will follow the protocol outlined in the Medical Leave of Absence and Withdrawal Policy. The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students or his/her designee may identify additional criteria in order to return to campus. The Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students or his/her designee, in consultation with Health and Counseling Services, will determine if all criteria have been met and if the student is eligible to return. If a student is required to leave during the fall semester, normally the leave will be extended to the entire spring semester as well.
A student returning from Required Leave will have 5 points on their record upon return. A student that accumulates 10 or more points for a SECOND time during their Gettysburg career will be referred to the Student Conduct Review Board for consideration of suspension/expulsion, along with any sanctions assigned through the point system process.
Instances of any of these behaviors, whether alcohol-related or not, could also be referred to the Student Conduct Review Board for consideration of possible suspension or expulsion (along with other sanctions, as detailed in the Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities).
