VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

may be dismissed by the college without the ability to reapply, subject to the decision of the Professional and Ethics Standards Board. A student who takes an unapproved leave of absence that is 14 days or greater will be dismissed by the college without the ability to reapply. Types of Leaves of Absence A request for a Leave of Absence may be requested by the student to the Campus Dean for the following reasons: academic, administrative, medical, military, or personal and must be pre-approved using the processes outlined. Academic Leave of Absence An Academic Leave of Absence is a voluntary leave that is requested by a student to pursue research, an externship, a degree-granting program outside of VCOM, or any other career advancing activity that does not exceed 180-days. An Academic Leave of Absence may occur only between the OMS 3 and OMS 4-year curriculum. Students requesting an Academic Leave of Absence must be in good standing at the time of the request. A request for an Academic Leave of Absence that extends beyond 180-days within an academic year or 12-month period, will result in a temporary withdrawal if approved by the Campus Dean. Should the original request be planned for more than 180-days, the Campus Dean will consider it for an Academic Temporary Withdrawal instead of an Academic Leave of Absence. Administrative Leave of Absence An Administrative Leave of Absence is a school-mandated leave to address academic, professional, or technical deficiencies that does not exceed 180-days. The Promotion Board, Professional and Ethical Standards Board, or Honor Code Council may recommend an Administrative Leave of Absence for a student if they have academic, professionalism, or technical deficiencies not addressed by other types of leaves to the Campus Dean, who may grant or deny the LOA. Should the original request be planned for more than 180-days, the Campus Dean will consider it for an Administrative Temporary Withdrawal instead of an Administrative Leave of Absence. An Administrative Leave of Absence does not meet the requirements of an approved LOA for federal financial aid purposes; therefore, while a student’s status at VCOM may be that they are on an Administrative Leave of Absence, they will be treated as withdrawn from school for loan repayment purposes. Students who have not met the requirements to return to the academic program from an Administrative Leave of Absence within the timeline specified by the Campus Dean may be dismissed. Medical Leave of Absence A Medical Leave of Absence is a voluntary leave that is requested by a student to address medical or psychological issues that interfere with their health and/or success that does not exceed 180-days. A request for a Medical Leave of Absence requires supporting documentation from the student’s physician. While on Medical Leave of Absence, students are expected to receive appropriate care, resolve the issues that led to the leave, and develop new strategies through sustained therapy and/or meaningful work. An enrolled student whose medical condition requires absence from the curricular program for a period of less than 7 days may qualify for an approved excused absence, which is not considered a medical leave of absence, as long as it is determined by the Campus Dean that the missed coursework may be made up. See the section on excused absences for more information on policy and procedures to request an excused absence. An enrolled student whose medical condition requires absence from the curricular program for a period of more than 7 days must request and/or will be placed on a Medical Leave of Absence.

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