VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

• In the OMS 3 and 4 years, an approved leave of absence where the return date (from temporary withdrawal) exceeds 30-days, the student will be placed on an Altered Degree Plan of Study. The Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs will design the Altered Degree Plan of Study with final approval by the Campus Dean. Depending upon the length of the approved leave of absence, graduation may be delayed. A student whose Altered Degree Plan of Study extends their graduation beyond June 30 th is not be eligible to participate in the residency match for that academic year, according to National match guidelines, and will be required to find a placement outside of the match or participate in the match of the following academic year. • If the student was temporarily withdrawn for an approved leave of absence and the student’s cumulative absences exceed 180 days within a 12-month period, the student will be withdrawn with the ability to reapply. Depending on the conditions of the withdrawal and the length of the withdrawal, re admission is not guaranteed. Time Limits and Consequences for an Unapproved Leave of Absence A student whose absence exceeds three days without an approval must meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and may be subject to a Professional and Ethics Standards Board hearing for unapproved absences. According to the Department of Education a student may not miss greater than seven consecutive days without reporting such information; therefore, a student who takes an unapproved leave of absence that exceeds seven days will be subject to a 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 Approved Leaves of Absence A request for a leave of absence may be made for the following reasons: administrative, educational, or medical and must be pre-approved using the processes outlined. Administrative Leave of Absence An administrative leave of absence is one that is granted by the Campus Dean for a student who requires greater than 8 days and less than 180 days away from the curriculum. Reasons for an Administrative Leave of Absence include: • Severe circumstances the Campus Dean believes warrants an interruption in the student's education • Participation/completion of a required program or activity set forth by the Campus Dean, Promotion Board for academic reasons, or the Professional and Ethical Standards Board (or three person panel or the Campus Dean if heard by those parties) for a behavioral infraction. It should be noted that a cumulative Administrative Leave of Absence may not exceed a total of 180 days in any 12 month period. The 180 days begin on the first day of the student’s leave of absence. After 180 days on an approved Administrative Leave of Absence, a student who is following the conditions of the leave will be temporarily withdrawn from the College with the ability to return. A student on a temporary withdrawal who exceeds 180 days must reapply through the Campus Dean. If the one or more leaves of absence exceed 180 days within a 12-month period, the leave of absence will result in an approved withdrawal from the program. The ability to return to VCOM is then determined by the Campus Dean based on the student’s academic status, behaviors, and academic progress and the total number of days of leave. • Death of a spouse or child • Critical illness of a child or spouse

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