Leave of Absence

Purpose

Bryn Mawr College is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and academically supportive environment for all members of the campus community. In circumstances where a student's behavior potentially poses an immediate or significant threat to the health, safety, or welfare of self and/or others or to the operations of the College, the College may enact an interim leave to allow time for a health assessment, investigation, or honor board/dean’s panel process while protecting the well-being of the student and/or community. Students disengaged from academic coursework either by not going to class or completing their work, as outlined in the this Catalog, may also be placed on an interim leave from the College. 

Grounds for Interim Leave 

Interim leave may be imposed when: 

1. A student is alleged to have engaged in threatening conduct, including but not limited to: 

• Physical violence or the threat of violence.
• Harassment or intimidation that creates a reasonable fear of harm either on campus and/or social media. 
• Possession or use of weapons in violation of college policy. 
• Behavior that disrupts the normal operations of the College or causes significant concern for campus safety. 

2. The student’s continued presence on campus potentially poses: 

• A substantial risk of harm to self or others 
• A threat of disruption to the learning environment or College operations. 
• Interference with the College’s ability to carry out its mission. 

Procedures 

Initiation: The Dean’s Office, in consultation with the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) and Campus Safety as appropriate, may recommend an interim leave. The Dean of Student Life has the authority to enact the interim leave. 

Notification: The student will receive written notice outlining: 

• The basis for the interim leave. 
• The scope of the suspension, including campus access and housing restrictions. 
• The student’s right to a timely review of the decision. 

Academic Responsibilities During Interim Leave 

Students placed on interim leave may not attend classes or participate in college-sponsored academic activities in person. However, the College is committed to minimizing academic disruption when possible.  

Unless otherwise restricted, the following guidelines apply: 

• The Dean of Student Success will serve as the case manager for the student academically through this process. The Dean of Student Success will: 

• Be the liaison between the student and the faculty with whom they are taking classes. The Dean of Student Success will work directly with the student to establish an action plan to prepare the student to communicate with their faculty. The student should contact their faculty directly to request options for continuing coursework remotely and Cc’ the Dean of Student Success and their Class Dean. Students will not be penalized for their absences while on interim leave. 
• Coordinate with the students’ Class Dean and faculty to facilitate communication. 
• Coordinate with other offices as needed – Academic Support, Access Services, the Health Center, the Library, etc. 
• Remind the student that they are to be monitoring their Bryn Mawr email while on leave. 
• If the suspension is lifted, the Dean of Student Success will work with the student to support academic reintegration. 

• Based upon the specific factual circumstances leading to the interim leave and where appropriate, Faculty are encouraged, though not required, to allow a student placed on interim leave to continue their coursework remotely, either synchronously or asynchronously, during the interim period. 

Duration and Reevaluation 

The interim leave will remain in effect until the Dean of Student Life determines: 

• The conclusion of the College’s investigation or honor board/dean’s panel process. 
• The threat is determined to no longer exist. 
• The College determines an alternate course of action is more appropriate. 

The College may reevaluate the interim leave at any point based on new information or changes in circumstance. 

Support and Resources 

The College will make reasonable efforts to ensure the student has access to academic support and personal belongings, and will provide information about resources for appeal, mental health, and student advocacy. 

Confidentiality 

To the extent possible, all matters related to interim leave will be handled discreetly and in compliance with applicable privacy laws, including FERPA. 

Decision and Outcome 

Following the conclusion of a health assessment, investigation, or honor board/dean’s panel process, a student will receive communication from the Dean of Student Life stating one of the following decisions: 

• Return to campus with or without stipulations 
• Placed on a leave of absence 
• Dismissed from the College