Registrar

Academic Policies

Leave of Absence

A student desiring a leave of absence should obtain application forms and instructions from the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Science. All students are eligible, provided they have not been dropped by the University and are not dropped at the end of the semester during which application is made.

Leaves are granted for one semester or for a year. Applications should be completed before the end of the fall semester for a leave of absence during the spring semester, and before August 15 for a leave of absence during the fall semester (or for the academic year). If the leave is approved, the student must keep the Dean informed of any change of address while on leave.

Categories and Conditions

Personal

Any student who wishes to take a leave of absence for personal reasons, that is, for any reason other than those covered by the first three categories, shall first confer with the Dean. If, in the opinion of the Dean, these personal reasons are valid and it would be in the interest of the student to leave the University at that time, a leave of absence for one or two semesters may be granted. Valid reasons might well include such items as desire to travel, desire to work in some special program or project without academic credit, family problems, or desire to simply "find one’s self" or gain a sense of direction.

In order to return to Vanderbilt, the student must preregister by the deadline given in the preregistration materials. In addition, at least one week prior to registration day of the intended semester of return, the student must present to the Dean a written statement detailing activities while on leave.

Medical

Upon advice of an appropriate medical authority, a leave may be granted for one or two semesters by the Dean.

In order to return to Vanderbilt, the student must present to the Dean, at least one week prior to registration of the intended semester of return, a statement from appropriate medical authorities that the student’s medical problem has been sufficiently solved so that normal study can be resumed. If the problem has been a psychological one, the Dean shall require a statement of clearance from the appropriate Student Health authorities at Vanderbilt.

Financial

Any student who feels that financial reasons prevent a return to Vanderbilt may be granted a leave of absence for one or two semesters by the Dean.

In order to return to Vanderbilt, the student must present to the Dean, at least one week prior to registration day of the intended semester of return, a written statement that the student is capable of meeting the financial obligations of a full-time student.

Comments

  • When the leave of absence is approved by the Dean, one copy of the form will be filed in the Office of the Dean, one copy should be retained by the student, and another copy will be placed in the student’s file in the Office of Records and Institutional Research.
  • A leave of absence will not be extended beyond one academic year.
  • Each student applying should understand that return from a leave is not automatic, but rather it is subject to the conditions stated above.
  • A student on leave of absence will automatically be sent registration materials for the intended semester of return. Final registration is, of course, contingent upon the fulfillment of the terms of the leave of absence.
  • A student who fails to return to Vanderbilt at the completion of an approved leave, or who has failed to comply with the terms of the leave of absence, shall be withdrawn from the University.
  • Each student should check with the Office of Housing and Residential Education before going on leave.