Withdrawals from the college become official when accepted by the Associate Dean of the College and are noted on the transcript. Students receive no credit for the semester in which they withdraw. The departing student must leave within twenty-four hours and is not permitted to return to the Domain during the withdrawal period without written permission from the Dean of Students or the Associate Dean of the College.
Non-Medical Withdrawals
Students who withdraw from the college voluntarily or are suspended for academic reasons are required to spend no less than one additional semester away from Sewanee. Students suspended for disciplinary, honor code, or administrative reasons (or withdraw prior to suspension) ordinarily are required to spend two semesters off campus. During this time away from the college, any student who wishes to apply for readmission must be employed 40 hours a week for a continuous period of six months and provide a letter from the employer indicating the exact dates of satisfactory service.
In some cases a student may be required to meet additional conditions, for example, enrollment in an academic course or be evaluated for a psychiatric or substance abuse conditions and complete any indicated treatment, among other requirements.
The University reserves the right to suspend a student who is not fulfilling minimal academic standards of performance, is judged to be disruptive to the community, or poses a threat to self or to others. Students posing a threat to themselves or others will likely be required to withdraw. Likewise, if continued residence on campus is deemed not in the best interest of a student or the University, the Dean of Students may require that student to withdraw. In these rare cases, a letter from the Dean of Students will provide clarification as to the nature of the difficulties, which led to the withdrawal.
Medical Withdrawals
Students who need to withdraw to receive treatment for physical illness and injury should contact the director of University Health Services and may apply to return to campus at the beginning of the first semester following the student’s recovery.
At the time of application for readmission, the individual’s physician must communicate the degree of recovery and ongoing medications to the Director of University Health Services.
Likewise, a student who needs to withdraw to seek treatment for chemical dependency, depression or other psychological disorder must meet with a University Counselor and is generally eligible to return to campus after one full semester beyond the semester of withdrawal.
With prior approval of the University Counselor, the departing student should begin an off-campus course of therapy. At the time of application for re-admission, the individual’s therapist must confirm the student’s successful completion of the approved therapy program with the University Counselor.
Leave of Absence
The college may grant a leave of absence for up to two semesters for intellectual or personal development. A formal request for leave must be given to the associate dean of the college stating specific plans for the period of absence and the planned date of return. If the associate dean approves, and terms of leave are met, the student is guaranteed readmission. The deadlines for submission of leave-of-absence applications for the Advent and Easter Semesters are August 5 and January 5, respectively. Students who do not meet these deadlines but who do spend a semester or more away from Sewanee must apply for readmission. When reapplication is necessary (and even in the rare event that the associate dean should approve a leave-of-absence request submitted after the deadline) the reservation deposit is retained. A second reservation deposit is necessary to reserve a space in the college for the semester of planned re-entry.
Non-returning Students
Students who choose to leave the college after successfully completing the previous semester are placed on Not Returning status. The Office of the Associate Dean asks that all students not returning to the college obtain and submit a Not Returning form. The form serves as a type of exit interview, prompts the associate dean’s office to notify other University offices regarding students who are not continuing in the college. Students interested in returning to the college after going on not-return status may apply for readmission. Readmission forms must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by December 1 for the Easter semester and by May 1 for the Advent semesters.
Application for Readmission
All students seeking readmission must return the appropriate form to the Office of Admission by December 1 or May 1. In an attached letter the student must: provide clear evidence that any and all requirements for their return have been met, indicate that they understand and have addressed the problems that led to withdrawal, and suggest strategies to maximize mature behavior and improved performance.
The Admissions Committee, except in unusual circumstances, does not consider a request for readmission after a medical withdrawal without a positive recommendation from either the director of University Health Services or a University Counselor.
It should be noted that readmission is not automatic. Unless the Committee on Admissions believes that all requirements for readmission have been met and that the applicant will successfully complete his or her responsibilities as a member of the Sewanee community, the application is denied or deferred.
