Advising
A leave of absence is defined as a pre-approved leave from the College of Pharmacy that interrupts a student's course of academic and/or clinical study for a defined period of time. The amount of leave time granted depends largely on the personal needs of the student and the timing of the withdrawal within the academic program. Leaves of absence usually are for only one (1) semester and generally do not exceed one (1) academic year. Circumstances necessitating a leave of absence may include, but are not limited to, short or long-term personal illness, military training or obligations, jury duty, maternity/paternity and infant care, and serious illness or death of an immediate family member.
A student requesting a leave of absence for any reason during or at the end of an academic year must adhere to the following general procedure:
1. The student must meet personally with their advisor and the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs or his/her designee to discuss the reason for the leave and its effects on his or her academic progress and any other considerations (e.g. tuition, readmission). A mutual decision is reached after careful consideration is given to personal and professional circumstances.
2. The student must then petition the College of Pharmacy Student Affairs Committee (SAC) in writing. The petition must include the time frame expected, the reason(s) and supporting documents, and that it has been discussed with the student’s advisor and Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs or his/her designee.
3. The SAC’s determination, along with any stipulations, will be made as a recommendation to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy who will make the final decision whether to endorse (approve) the Committee’s decision.
4. The student will be sent an official letter to the student regarding the decision. If the leave of absence is approved, a copy of this letter will be sent to the affected administrative offices within the University.
Provided that the leave is approved, the official start and end dates of the leave of absence will be determined by the SAC. Any tuition adjustments will be in accordance with the University's withdrawal policy. Any requested changes in the terms of the leave of absence should be relayed to the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs or his/her designee as soon as possible, but are subject to approval by the SAC and the Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
Students must contact the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs or his/her designee at least 4 weeks prior to the expiration of a leave of absence to coordinate their reentry into the program. If a student does not return at the end of the approved leave or comply with any stipulations in the leave of absence, they will be considered to have withdrawn from the College of Pharmacy and must apply for readmission and comply with readmission rules.
The University of Findlay College of Pharmacy is committed to supporting students called to active military duty. Students called to such duty will be considered on military leave.
Students called to active duty should immediately notify the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs or his/her designee and provide all their pertinent call-up papers. Depending on at what point in the curriculum the military leave affects, the course coordinators may offer to make special arrangements for the completion of coursework or the student may need to retake courses upon return.
Students returning to the University from active duty will be eligible for reinstatement as a full-time student once they have notified the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs or his/her designee and have supplied any pertinent military papers requested. Every effort will be made to allow a student returning to the School to be reinstated as closely as possible to his/her previous point of progress. Any tuition or fee adjustments will made in accordance with University policy.
