Health Withdrawals
Sometimes, medical or mental health issues can affect your ability to continue courses or stay in school.
Course withdrawals
Some students request assistance from University Health Services (UHS)’ medical or mental health staff to document reasons for course withdrawals. In general, course withdrawals for medical reasons will be recommended by the treating physician or nurse clinician. Course withdrawals for mental health reasons will only be authorized for students who have been in direct contact with one of the therapists in the Mental Health Department.
University withdrawals
When a medical or mental health problem precludes successful completion of course work for the current semester, a student may receive a health withdrawal from the University, upon recommendation by the appropriate physician or therapist, either at UHS or from a private treating physician or therapist with a recommendation to the UHS Medical Director, who makes a final determination.
A voluntary health withdrawal may be requested by any student with a serious health problem who, in the opinion of the attending physician or therapist, cannot complete course work. All such withdrawals will be reviewed and must be approved by the UHS Medical Director or Mental Health Director. To return to the University, a student must present evidence that the health problem no longer precludes successful completion of academic work. In most cases, at least one academic semester must have passed before readmission from mental health or medical withdrawal can be considered.
Rarely, a student will be asked to leave school involuntarily, due to serious life-threatening circumstances. These withdrawals are approved by UHS’ Medical Director or Mental Health Director, with input from UHS’ Executive Director and the Dean of Students. Involuntary withdrawals may be appealed; procedures are available from the Registrar’s Office. To return, a student must demonstrate they can safely attend school. An interview with the Medical Director, Mental Health Director or their designee is required for readmission approval.
Withdrawal forms
Withdrawal and readmission forms are available from the Dean of Students office, 227 Whitmore Building, and the UHS Executive Director’s office, 150 Infirmary Way, 3rd floor.
For more information, contact the UHS Executive Director's Office, (413) 577-5211.
