Requiring a student to take an involuntary leave of absence is rare and only occurs when current medical knowledge or the best available objective evidence indicates that:

  1. There is a significant risk to the student’s health or safety or the health or safety of others, or
  2. The student’s behavior severely disrupts the University environment, and no reasonable accommodations are available that can adequately reduce that risk or disruption.

Students will be given the option to take a voluntary medical leave of absence before a decision is made with respect to an involuntary leave of absence.

Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy

 

What circumstances qualify for an Involuntary Leave of Absence?

Based on available, objective information, an involuntary leave may be pursued if:

  1. a student's medical condition or the best available objective evidence indicates that a student poses a significant risk to the health or safety of others; or
  2. a student is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations and poses a significant risk to their own safety not based on mere speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations; or
  3. a student’s behavior severely disrupts the University environment and the student does not want to take a voluntary leave of absence.

The Dean of Students has the authority to place an undergraduate or graduate student on an involuntary leave of absence. The Dean of Students may be notified and consider information about a student who may meet the criteria of an involuntary leave of absence from a variety of sources.

Involuntary Leave of Absence Procedure

  • Notice of Potential Involuntary Leave of Absence
    • The Dean of Students will issue a notice to the student in writing that an involuntary leave of absence is under consideration with the following information:
      • the reason(s) why the student is being considered for an involuntary leave
      • contact information for available student resources
      • a copy of this policy
    • The student will be encouraged to respond before a decision is made regarding an involuntary leave of absence and will be given a specified time period within which to do so.
  • Evaluation of Need For Leave or Alternative Options
    • The Dean of Students will consider potential accommodations and/or modifications that could obviate the need for an involuntary leave of absence, such as:
      • the option for the student to take a voluntary leave of absence
      • other academic accommodations
      • housing accommodations
      • other changes and modifications as appropriate
    • It may be determined an involuntary leave is no longer needed, or the student may have the option to take a voluntary medical leave of absence when applicable
  • Individualized Assessment 
    • If alternative options are not applicable, the Dean of Students will proceed with an individualized assessment based on information in the Dean’s possession at the time
    • The student may be asked to provide documentation from the student’s healthcare provider(s) to appropriate University officials in order to provide information regarding issues relevant and appropriate to the consideration of an involuntary leave of absence to determine whether the student is able to function successfully and safely in their role as a student.
      • If a student chooses not to provide the requested documentation or to respond within the timeframe set by the Dean of Students, the University may proceed with the individualized assessment based on information available at the time.
    • Particular attention will be paid to the criteria for imposing an involuntary leave of absence, specifically:
      1. whether current knowledge about the student’s medical condition or the best available objective evidence indicates that the student poses a significant risk to the health or safety of others;
      2. whether the student is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations and poses a significant risk to their own safety not based on mere speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations; or
      3. whether the student’s behavior severely disrupts the University environment.
  • Decision Letters
    • Following any consultations and based on a review of the relevant documentation and information available, the Dean of Students will make a decision as to whether the student should be placed on an involuntary leave of absence and will provide written notice of this decision to the student. 
    • The review and notice of decision under this policy should be done in a timely manner. Where students have been removed from the University while the review is underway, every reasonable effort will be made by the Dean of Students to reach a decision within 5 business days, provided the student responds in a timely manner to requests for information or documentation.
      • Decisions will be made in writing and will go directly to the students email address. 
  • Outcomes
    • An involuntary leave of absence is imposed. 
      • The written notice of decision to the student will include:
        • the basis for the decision
        • a timeframe for when the student must leave the University
        • when the student may be eligible to return to the University
          • the length of the leave will be determined on an individual basis
        • any conditions and/or requirements the student will need to satisfy to be eligible for return
        • information on requesting reasonable accommodations from the Office of Disability Services
        • information on how to appeal the decision
    • If an involuntary leave of absence is not imposed.
      • The written notice of decision to the student will include any conditions and/or requirements under which the student is allowed to remain at the University, information on requesting reasonable accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, and information on how to appeal the decision, where appropriate.
    • The Dean of Students may create an individualized plan to support the student’s current or future participation in campus life and academic courses, depending on whether an involuntary leave is imposed or not. This individualized plan will focus on addressing the reasons the University considered or imposed an involuntary leave of absence, with the goal of creating a plan to prepare the student for engaging with the campus community safely and with a reasonable likelihood of success.

Implications of an Involuntary Leave of Absence

Students on a leave of absence generally retain their admitted student status, however, they are not registered and therefore do not have the rights and privileges of registered students. Unless expressly permitted by the Dean of Students in writing, students on an involuntary leave of absence have the same access to campus as members of the general public but do not have the rights and privileges of a student.

Should an Involuntary Leave of Absence be imposed, there may be additional impact to their status they should be aware of:

  • Grades
    • Students on an involuntary leave will have no grades listed on their transcript for that semester. This will not impact GPA. 
  • Financial
    • Students will need to contact both Financial Aid and Student Accounts to discuss the impact an involuntary leave may have on their aid eligiblity, scholarships and student bill
    • In some cases, students may recieve a reduction of tuition and fees
      • This does not include housing or culinary deposits
  • Access
    • Students must return their CatCard to the Dean of Students
    • Students may be required to vacate University housing
  • Involvement
    • Students must discuss their situations and tentative plans with the following offices, where applicable:
      • Residence Life
      • Office of International Programs
      • Athletic Department
      • Office of Veteran Services

Returning from an Involuntary Leave of Absence

Students requesting to return to the University following a leave of absence shall do the following:

  1. Contact the Dean of Students to notify them of their intent to return to the University at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the semester in which they intend to return.
  2. Complete the University Intent to Register form available at https://www.montana.edu/registrar/Returning.html.
  3. Submit to the Dean a statement that provides:
    1. the reason for their leave of absence
    2. a brief explanation of steps the student took to address the reason for their leave of absence
    3. the student’s plan to help ensure their ability to function successfully and safely in their role as a student upon their return.
  4. Upon receipt of the notice and documentation from the student requesting to return, the University shall evaluate whether the student should be permitted to return to the University. As part of its assessment, the University may, at its discretion, request that the student complete a Medical Leave of Absence Return form to provide additional information on which the University can base its decision about whether the student is able to function successfully and safely in their role as a student upon their return.
    • Information included on the Medical Leave of Absence form may be reviewed by a University health official at either UHP Counseling and Psychological Services for mental health concerns, or UHP Medical Services for physical health concerns, when requested by the Dean for consultation purposes.
  5. Following any consultations and based on a review of the relevant documentation and information available, the Dean shall provide the student with a written decision indicating whether:
    • the return has been approved
    • the return is approved with conditions
    • the return is denied
  6. All written decision shall include:
    1. the basis for the decision
    2. any conditions for the student’s return
    3. information on requesting reasonable accommodations from the Office of Disability Services
    4. a timeline for when the student may be eligible to return, if applicable
    5. information on the Appeal Process
    6. notification to contact the Financial Aid Office to determine whether they are eligible for any financial aid or support
      • Students should be aware that the University may not be able to offer the same financial aid or support upon their return that they were provided upon admittance.

Appeals

Students may appeal an imposed involuntary leave of absence or the denial of a request to return to campus following an involuntary leave.

Within five business days of receiving the decision of the Dean of Students, the student may submit an appeal of the decision in writing to the Vice President of Student Success (VPSS). The written request for appeal must specify the particular substantive and/or procedural basis for the appeal and must be made on grounds other than general dissatisfaction with the decision of the Dean of Students. The review by the VPSS will be limited to the following considerations:

  1. Is there any new information not previously available to the student that may change the outcome of the decision-making process?
  2. Were there any procedural irregularities that materially affected the outcome of the matter to the detriment of the student (meaning the process outlined by policy was not followed)?
  3. Was the decision supported by the information and documentation provided?

After reviewing the matter fully, the VPSS will issue a written decision affirming, modifying, reversing, or remanding the decision, along with the basis for the decision. The VPSS’s decision shall be the final decision of the University.