VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

procedures should the student wish to challenge the decision. VCOM shall document the decision, as well as the underlying facts, assessments and determinations.

Requesting to Return to the Academic Program from a Mandatory Medical Leave of Absence VCOM students who have been on MMLOA must first seek approval from the Campus Dean in order to request a reinstatement. The Campus Dean may reconvene the IAT to determine what documentation may be needed to assess the student’s ability to return. The Campus Dean will then alert the student to all documentation required to be considered for a reinstatement, such as a release from the health professionals who are or were caring for the student, a criminal background check, immunization compliance, and any other documentation as determined necessary by the Individualized Assessment Team to make their determination, based upon evidence, that the student is ready to resume studies and academic responsibilities and to be safely involved in patient care. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to: a. Documentation of attempts to resolve issues that led to the MMLOA; b. Release of academic records and reason for the MMLOA to the treating physician(s); c. Release by the student to treatment records that document the student’s ability to return; d. Consultation with, or clearance from, College Health Services; e. Consultation with the CIFSS to determine if reasonable accommodations are available; and f. Demonstrated ability to safely manage the stresses of academic study and to safely participate in patient care (safety of the patient and the student). Class placement upon return may be determined by the Promotion Board to assure the student gains all the required medical knowledge to become a safe, practicing, osteopathic physician. All returning students must meet the essential eligibility requirements and technical standards of the College.

Withdrawal Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal There are two types of withdrawals from VCOM, temporary and permanent:

Temporary Withdrawal A temporary withdrawal is defined as a temporary interruption in a student’s program of study that exceeds 180 days within an academic year or 12-month period, with reasonable expectation that the student will return from the withdrawal and that the student is capable of returning to the curricular program, meeting the technical standards, and being successful upon the return. Temporary withdrawals allow students the ability to pause their education at VCOM to seek treatment for medical or psychological conditions, see to extreme personal or family concerns, fulfill military obligations, complete external coursework/research, and/or address academic or behavioral issues. Temporary withdrawals may be requested by the student or may be required by VCOM. A student granted permission to take a temporary withdrawal will not be enrolled at VCOM for the duration of the leave. Students who do not comply with the requirements of a temporary withdrawal may be subject to dismissal by the Campus Dean. Permanent Withdrawal A permanent withdrawal is defined as a permanent separation from the college where substantial evidence exists that the student will not be capable of successfully returning to or continuing in the curricular program within a

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