Dr. Lin's Instructional Web - Barry University

Biennial Review:
A biennial review of these policies/guidelines will be conducted to ensure their
effectiveness, consistent enforcement, and to implement any necessary changes.
POLICY ON MEDICAL LEAVE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all Barry students with incipient
emotional, mental health or physical needs receive timely assessment and access to service.
The policy shall cover all students unless the specific school or department in which the
student is enrolled has a more specified or comprehensive policy with respect to mental and
physical health and disposition.
When a student experiences serious medical or psychological problems while
enrolled as a student in Barry University, he or she may request to take a voluntary medical
leave-of-absence. If approved by the , the student will leave campus, be granted grades of “W”
in all enrolled courses (even if the normal deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty
has passed), and the student will be obligated to adhere to the readmission requirements
outlined below if he or she desires to return to Barry after the problem has been treated and
resolved.
Similarly, the university may require a student to take a medical leave-of-absence if,
in the judgment of the or his/her designee, the student (a) poses a threat to the lives or safety of
himself/herself or other members of the Barry community, or (b) has a medical or
psychological problem which cannot be properly treated in the university setting and requires
hospitalization or (c) has evidenced a medical condition or behavior that seriously interferes
with the student’s ability to function and/or seriously interferes with the educational pursuits of
other members of the Barry Community.
In making the decision to require a student to take a medical leave, the or his/her
designee acts out of concern for the student and his or her rights, concern for other students and
concern for the university as a whole. The vice president or his/her designee will have to
consider whether the university is able to provide the level of care and guidance needed,
whether there is a likelihood that the student will pose a threat to himself/herself or others
and/or to what extent the student seriously interferes with the rights of the others in the
community to carry on their educational pursuits. While on medical leave a student may not
return to campus until officially readmitted without the permission of the of his/her designee.
For both voluntary and required leaves, the policy on refunds contained in the
catalogue will apply.
READMISSION REQUIREMENTS
FOR MEDICAL LEAVES
If a student must leave Barry for medical reasons, he or she must take sufficient time
away (normally 6 months to 1 year) to adequately address the issues that necessitated the leave.
During this absence, the university expects the student to undergo professional health-care
treatment as the primary method of resolving the problems. Failure to seek ongoing treatment
of a kind appropriate to the health problems will raise serious doubt as to the student’s
readiness to resume student status, and in such cases the university may withhold admission
until such time that appropriate treatment has been received.
A student on medical leave, who wishes to return, must initiate a request for
readmission by writing a letter to the or his/her designee detailing what has been accomplished
during the absence. The student’s letter and a supporting letter from an appropriate health-care
professional are the basis upon which the vice president or his/her designee makes the
judgment that the health circumstances causing the student to leave have been adequately
addressed and that there is a reasonable assurance that the student will be able to resume
his/her studies.
The letter from the health-care professional should address at least the following
questions: what were the reasons for the student seeing you, how often did you meet, what
66