Student Leave of Absence

In recognition of the effects that childbirth, adoption, serious illness and caring for incapacitated dependents (such as children, ill or injured partners, or aging parents) may have on the time and energy that students have to devote to their educational programs, the College allows students in such circumstances to apply for a leave of absence of up to two semesters during which time they do not intend to make progress toward the completion of their degree by earning credit at William Jewell or at any other institution. Length of Leaves Application for a leave of absence may be made on a oneor two-term basis. A leave of absence for more than one academic year will be approved only in exceptional circumstances. An approved leave for one term may be extended to two semesters, if so requested by the applicant prior to the expiration of the approved one-term leave of absence and if approved by the Academic VP.

Application Procedures
A leave of absence normally must be requested and approved prior to the beginning of the academic term for which it is being requested. A letter of request should be addressed to the Academic VP and should provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances leading to the request and a justification of the time requested (one term or one year). Prior to submission to the Academic VP, the request must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the head of the division of the student’s primary major. The student should provide a supporting doctor’s statement if it is requested by the faculty advisor, division head or Academic VP.

Additional Regulations
Students on approved leaves of absence are not registered at the College and, therefore, do not have the same rights and privileges as registered students. Incompletes from previous semesters are not automatically extended if a leave of absence is granted. A student returning from a leave of absence should contact the Office of Admission to arrange for the reactivation of the student’s record; however, if the student attended another institution during the leave of absence, the student violated the terms of the leave of absence and must seek re-admission to the College. A student who does not return as scheduled from a leave of absence is considered to have withdrawn from the College at the last date of attendance at the College. An official leave of absence will be noted on a student’s transcript; the student, after returning to classes, may ask to have this notation removed. A student who returns after an approved leave of absence should normally expect not to be required to change to the requirements set forth in the catalog in effect at the time of rejoining the College (as would a student who has been absent without an approved leave).