Medical Withdrawal, Leave, & Return

Students may experience medical and/or psychological conditions as well as problems around substance misuse that significantly impact their ability to complete their academic pursuits.  During such circumstances, a medical leave of absence from the University provides the student an opportunity to remain a matriculated student while also allowing time away for appropriate treatment and recovery. 

Any student who wishes to request a complete medical withdrawal from classes or leave of absence from the University should begin by reaching out to Academic Advising or the Dean of Students Office in Student Affairs. 

For students enrolled in Newcomb Tulane College or the School of Professional Advancement, you can complete this process with your Academic Advisor or the Assistant Dean of Students. You can schedule with your academic advisor online at Academic Advising or by phone at (504) 865-5798. You can schedule with the Assistant Dean of Students by emailing tyner@tulane.edu, calling (504) 314-2129, or by scheduling an appointment here.

For Graduate and Professional students, you can complete this process with the Assistant Dean of Students by emailing tyner@tulane.edu, calling (504) 314-2129, or by scheduling an appointment here.

At this meeting, the University official will discuss the medical leave process with the student. At the end of this meeting, the student should attest to the following: 

• I understand the academic repercussions for taking a medical leave. 
• I know that if I am receiving financial aid or a scholarship, I will need to connect with the appropriate Financial Aid counselor. 
• I know that if I reside on-campus, I will need to complete a Housing Agreement Release Request and plan to check out of my room within 48 hours. 
• I understand that I am responsible for getting the appropriate treatment while I am on leave, and that my readmission will be contingent on this treatment. 
• I understand that there is a process to petition to return from medical leave, which begins with the Dean of Student’s office.  For questions email medreturn@tulane.edu.

If you are already working with a Case Manager, they will connect you with the appropriate university official.

Treatment Expectations

A. While on a medical leave, you are expected to receive adequate, ongoing treatment from an illness-specific, properly credentialed treatment program or clinician(s).

B. You must allow for the appropriate time to complete the treatment that is recommended or that the condition that precipitated the need for a withdrawal has been successfully treated such that the condition no longer adversely affects your ability to successfully or safely function in the university environment.

C. Clinical documentation of this treatment will be submitted when you petition to return to the University.  

D. If at any point you have questions about treatment expectations or any part of the petition to return process, you may email medreturn@tulane.edu or call the Dean of Student's office at (504) 314-2160.

Returning to Tulane Deadlines

• To petition to return for the fall semester, the deadline is July 1.
• To petition to return for the spring semester, the deadline is December 1.
• To petition to return for the summer semester, the deadline is May 1.

Forms

Medical Withdrawal-Medical Leave of Absence Student Petition

Additional Resources

Pregnancy, Parenting, and Reproductive Health Resources for Students

Return from Medical Leave

How to return from Medical Leave

Any student who wishes to return from a medical leave will petition to return following the outlined protocol.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all steps are completed, and all requested documentation is received by the Assistant Dean of Students – Division of Student Affairs in accordance with the guidelines below.

Deadlines for Submitting Documentation

• To petition to return for the fall semester, the deadline is July 1.
• To petition to return for the spring semester, the deadline is December 1.
• To petition to return for the summer semester, the deadline is May 1.

Documents to Submit

• Clinical Documentation: Please have each treatment provider complete, sign and submit a Treatment Information Form.  This form should be emailed to medreturn@tulane.edu, Attn: Assistant Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs.
• Return from Medical Leave Student Petition: Please complete and submit a Student Petition.

All documents should be submitted to: medreturn@tulane.edu.  Use email subject format: Last Name, First Initial.

Next Steps

1. The return packet will be reviewed.  The student will receive an email if additional documentation is needed.  The email will outline what needs to be submitted to complete the packet.
2. Once the packet is complete, the University official will forward to a clinician at the Campus Health for review.  The clinician may contact the student, should they need more information to complete their review.
3. Based on the review, a recommendation will be made to the Dean of the student’s school or Program Director and the Assistant Dean of Students – Division of Student Affairs. 
4. The Assistant Dean of Students – Division of Student Affairs will notify the student of the recommendation and conditions for return, will request that the medical hold be lifted, and the student will be allowed to register for classes or will otherwise be instructed of next steps.
5. The decision to readmit a student following medical leave is a provisional judgment that may be reversed within the first semester if the recommendations for readmission are not met.  When permission to return is granted, special conditions or requirements may be outlined at that time.