Leaves of Absence
A student may request an academic or personal leave of absence from the Associate Dean of Students (Academic) . A student may request a medical leave of absence from the Student Support Care Team. Students should consult with their academic advisor and the appropriate dean prior to requesting a leave. Leaves of absence may be granted for a specified period of time, normally one or two semesters. Students on leave are expected to return to Hamilton at the conclusion of the approved leave.
While on leave, students will be informed of preregistration at the appropriate time in the semester preceding their return, and are responsible for meeting the same deadlines as currently enrolled students. Arrangements for housing must be completed before students leave campus. In order to do this, students must complete a proxy form and register it with the Office of Residential Life. Students who fail to preregister or who leave Hamilton without formally being granted a leave of absence may be withdrawn and must reapply to the Dean of Students. A request for a change in a student's leave, or cancellation, must be made to the appropriate Dean. Should the Dean approve the request to cancel a leave, the student then may exercise his or her own on-campus options, to the extent that the College schedule allows. Please note, while on leave, students are not allowed to participate in campus activities (including clubs, organizations, committees, or academic programs) or be on campus without first receiving permission from the Dean of Students Office.
All requests for a leave of absence must be received by the published deadlines. Students with an approved leave do not pay the registration fee, preregister or participate in the housing or meal plan lotteries. The registration fee is refundable until May 1; after that date it is forfeited.
Students may occasionally need to arrange a leave of absence after the spring or fall deadlines for extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. These students should apply to the Dean of Students, who may allow financial and other regulations to be waived. When a leave is granted, the Dean of Students may also specify special conditions for the student's readmission to Hamilton.