Leaves of absence
If a student needs to leave the college for a short period of time,
but intends to return and complete the semester's work, the student
should apply for an emergency absence. This status will not extend
beyond three weeks or the end of the semester and does not result in a
refund of tuition or fees. Students should consult with one of the deans in student services to
learn how to apply for an emergency absence, what is required on
returning from an absence, and what the implications of such an absence
are with regard to their courses. The instructor of each course will
determine whether it is possible for the student to complete the course
after returning to Reed. Emergency absences may be granted for personal and family emergencies as well as for health reasons. In an emergency, when a student's continuing at the College poses a
risk to the well-being of that student or the community, the dean of
students can place a student on an involuntary emergency absence. The
student may appeal this decision to the college president within eleven
days of notification. Any student who is eligible to register at the college may apply for
a one- or two-semester leave of absence. Students choose to take leaves
for a variety of reasons: to travel abroad, to pursue a full-time job
or internship, to take coursework elsewhere, or simply because they
would like a break from academic work. Students interested in taking a
leave of absence may obtain a leave of absence form in the student
services office (Eliot 218) and should plan on meeting with their
adviser and a dean in student services to discuss their plans. This
discussion should include the academic implications of the leave and
any courses the student plans to take while on leave. Leaves normally should be requested before the start of the semester
and no later than the beginning of the tenth week. Information about a
refund for tuition, room, and board for leaves that occur after classes
have begun for the semester can be found in the college catalog or at
the business office. Students who have been granted a leave of absence should reapply for
financial aid on the same basis as continuing students (please refer to
the catalog). If a student plans to return in fall or spring of the
next academic year, the student should meet the following deadlines and
submit appropriate forms in order to receive financial aid
consideration: Please be aware that a student's eligibility for institutional funding will be reduced if any of these deadlines is missed. A medical leave of absence is available for students who have
medical or psychological conditions that severely limit their ability
to perform their academic work. Students who need this type of leave of
absence should meet with either a dean in student services or with a
staff member in health services. Medical leaves of absence are granted
by one of the student services deans in consultation with Reedís health
services and are based on the written recommendation of a physician or
psychotherapist. Medical leaves are usually granted for up to two
semesters. Students who take a leave during the semester will earn no academic
credit for the semester and will be refunded for tuition and room and
board on a daily pro-rata basis calculated by the business office. If
the medical leave is granted after the final deadline to drop without a
W grade but before the end of the semester, W will be recorded on the
transcript for all enrolled courses. During the time of the leave,
students must actively engage in appropriate treatment as recommended
by their physician or therapist. A student who has been granted a
medical leave of absence may file for financial assistance on the same
basis as continuing students. See above section, "Leave of absence,"
for dates and forms. Return and re-enrollment from a medical leave of absence is
contingent on a written assessment by a physician or therapist, which
will be evaluated by a dean in student services and the health services
staff. For students on medical leave who have applied for financial aid
for the semester in which they return, requests for return from a
medical leave and the supporting documentation must be received early
enough that a decision can be made by July 1 for fall term and January
2 for spring term. In an emergency, when a student's continuing at the college poses a
risk to the well-being of that student or to others in the community,
the dean of student services can place a student on an involuntary
medical leave. The student may appeal this decision to the president of
the college within 11 days of notification.Emergency absence
Leave of absence
Medical leave of absence