Medical Leave of Absence

If you experience a medical situation that significantly limits your ability to function successfully or safely as a Guttman student, you can request a Medical Leave of Absence. A medical leave of absence allows you to take time away from the college for the remainder of the session or term in order to receive treatment.

You may request a medical leave of absence anytime during the current academic session, or if there is a special situation that hinders you from making a request during the session, you may request the leave after the session has ended. Those situations would include hospitalization, in-patient treatment, or if you are incapacitated to the degree of not being able to request the medical leave of absence before the end of the session.

A leave of absence may impact your academic progress, financial aid, and may cause a balance due to the college, so we encourage you to contact your academic advisor and your financial aid advisor to explore impact and options.

Application:

1. Request for Medical Leave of Absence
2. Supporting medical documentation from a health care provider. Medical documentation must indicate the dates of the incident, injury, or onset AND the projected duration of medically recommended treatment/care to support the requested leave.
3. Authorization to Release/Request Confidential Information

The VP will review the request and supporting documentation and treat all medical documentation as confidential, sharing information only as necessary to evaluate the request and period of leave. If the leave is approved, the VP will email the Office of the Registrar and Financial Aid Office a copy of page one of the Request for Medical Leave of Absence form. The original form and all medical documentation will be secured in the VP’s office and only shared with the Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Services as needed. You will be notified of the decision by email or mail within 10 business days of a completed and submitted application.

Please note: the decision whether to approve a medical leave of absence when requesting a leave for a Fall 1 session or a Spring 1 session with plans to attend the subsequent Fall 2 or Spring 2 session within the same term is up to the discretion of the VP and based on medical documentation and duration of medically recommended treatment/care.

Returning:

When you are ready to return to the college from a medical leave of absence, you must submit the following to the Vice President of Student Engagement (MedLeaveRequest@guttman.cuny.edu):

1. Request to Return to Active Status 
2. Supporting medical documentation from a health care provider. Health care providers are encouraged to contact the Vice President of Student Engagement with any questions or concerns related to proposed return. Medical documentation must include:
   • Period of treatment
   • Whether or not the student is deemed ready to return with date of earliest possible return
   • List of continuing treatment plan and recommendations
3. Authorization to Release/Request Confidential Information

All forms must be submitted to the Vice President of Student Engagement (MedLeaveRequest@guttman.cuny.edu) within the timeframes listed below:

If the Medical Leave of Absence was taken for a full term (a term is defined as both Fall 1 and 2 sessions OR both Spring 1 and 2 sessions), forms must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the first day of the anticipated term of return.

If the Medical Leave of Absence was NOT taken for a full term but taken for a single session within a term (a session is defined as being Fall 1 OR Fall 2 / Spring 1 OR Spring 2), forms must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the first day of the anticipated session of return.

The VP will review the submitted materials and treat all medical documentation as confidential, sharing information only as necessary to evaluate the request to return. Once the request is reviewed and signed by the VP, the VP will email the Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid Office, and the Academic Advising Office a copy of page one of the Return to Active Status form. The original form and all medical documentation will be secured in the VP’s office and only shared with the Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Services as needed. You will be notified of the decision by email or mail within 10 business days of a completed and submitted Return to Active Status form, supporting medical documentation, and Authorization to Release/Request Confidential Information form. Once a return is approved, the VP or designee will contact you to request a check-in visit to review your plan for sustained health and offer support.

If your request for return to active status is denied, you may meet with the VP to devise a plan for return.

Please note the following:

• It is your responsibility to check with the Bursar Office regarding any outstanding balance and make necessary arrangements for any payment due before the start of the session of return.
• If you withdrew from a full term (i.e. Fall 1 AND 2 or Spring 1 AND 2), you must complete the Readmission Interest Form, Readmission Application, and attend the Readmission Completion Day program. Students who are in poor academic standing prior to the term the medical leave was taken are still required to complete the Academic Appeal procedures as part of the readmission process. Click here for more information about readmission.