Involuntary and Voluntary Leave of Absence

Policy Number: #

Responsible Executive(s):

  • Provost

Responsible Office(s):

  • Office of the Registrar

Date Adopted: 02-01-2020

Date Revised: 01-14-2023

A. Purpose

Regis University (Regis) acknowledges that during a semester or course, a student may be temporarily unable to attend classes or be required to pause their studies in order to take time away to pursue a personal, professional or volunteer opportunity, to recover from a physical or mental health concern, to assist a family member, or any other situation that requires the student’s attention. Students may elect to take a Voluntary Leave of Absence or Regis may deem it necessary to institute an Involuntary Leave of Absence.

B. Scope
  1. This Policy applies to all University
C. Definitions
  1. Voluntary Leave of Absence: A student chooses to take time away to pursue a personal, professional or volunteer opportunity, to recover from a physical or mental health concern, to assist a family member, or any other situation that requires the student’s attention.
  2. Involuntary Leave of Absence: A student cannot meet the University’s essential eligibility requirements with or without accommodation, or that the student poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the student may be placed on a Leave of Absence by the Dean of Students.
D. Policy
  1. Voluntary Leave of Absence: In many cases there are less drastic alternatives to a Voluntary Leave of Absence such as seeking an incomplete for affected classes and finishing coursework at a later time and/or finishing the current semester and taking a break for a future term or Students are encouraged to discuss such options with the Dean of Students or the applicable academic advisor, program chair or dean prior to submitting the Leave of Absence form.
    • If a Voluntary Leave is needed prior to completing the current term, students should follow the official withdraw procedures first and understand the current tuition refund schedule. A student undergoing extenuating circumstances can submit a Registration Status Appeal form if the conditions of the Voluntary Leave warrant review under that policy.
    • If applicable to a student’s need for a Voluntary Leave, please also see the following resources:
      1. Medical Leave of Absence Policy.
        • A student has 30 days past the end of the term to submit the initial request for a MLOA and then the student has 90 days to submit all requested documentation to Regis or the MLOA will be denied.
      2. Military Leave of Absence Policy.
      3. Leave Due to a Pregnancy Related Condition, Childbirth, or Sexual Misconduct: Please contact the EO & Title IX Coordinator at 303-964-6435.
    • Any student needing a Voluntary Leave of Absence should consult the current University Catalog for specific requirements as notifications and re-entry policies vary by college/program as well as degree completion time periods. Regis also encourages students to resume their education as soon as possible after an absence and students should contact their Academic Advisors to guide re-entry after a leave of absence.

  2. Involuntary Leave of Absence: Under certain and rare extenuating circumstances in which it becomes evident that the student cannot meet the University’s essential eligibility requirements with or without accommodation, or that the student poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the student may be placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence by the Dean of Students. This status will only be utilized following an individual assessment and after other approaches (such as reduced course load or change of living environment) and/or reasonable accommodations have been evaluated or attempted and deemed infeasible or ineffective.

    • In determining if an individual poses a direct threat to health or safety of others, the University ascertains the nature, duration, and severity of the risk and probability that the potential risk will actually occur and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids or services will mitigate the risk.

    • The University’s individual assessment may include any or all of the following: evaluation of the student’s conduct and whether it meets the conduct expectations for the student and the student’s academic program; use the best available objective evidence including the opinions and recommendations of the student’s treating physical or mental health professional, if available; an evaluation of the student by university selected medical or mental health professionals on or off campus; and/ or an assessment of the student’s medical records. The student may also elect to seek an independent medical or psychological evaluation at the student’s expense for the purposes of this review.

    • The duration of leave as well as requirements for re-entry will be provided to the student at the initiation of the leave. If the Involuntary Leave is for a medical or mental health reason, the student will have the same re-entry requirements as a Medical Leave of Absence.

E. Notification:
  1. The Regis University Leave of Absence form should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
  2. For students taking a leave of absence of any kind who receive financial aid through federal, state, or institutional funding programs, the policies and procedures regarding those programs will govern, regardless of a leave of absence approval. Students should reach out to the Office of Financial Aid for information on the impact of withdrawing from current courses and/or taking a leave of absence as there may be resulting charges or payments required.
F. Related Policies Procedures, Forms, and Other Resources:

Regis University Medical Leave of Absence

Regis University Military Leave of Absence

Regis University Registration Status Appeal