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Withdrawals for Health Reasons & Returning from a Withdrawal for Health Reasons

A withdrawal for health reasons may be granted in situations in which a student’s physical and/or psychological functioning was impaired to such a degree that the student could not complete the academic requirements for the semester.

The Dean of Students has the authority to review and grant withdrawals for health reasons. 

The withdrawal request must be substantiated by documentation from an appropriately qualified, licensed health care provider, which includes:

  • A diagnosis of the condition and the time frame during the term in which it occurred,
  • A descriptive explanation of what impairments in health functioning specifically prevented the student from being able to continue or complete his or her academic requirements. For example, it is not sufficient to state that poor sleep interfered with academic performances.  It is sufficient to state that routinely sleeping for only two to four hours per night diminished concentration, learning, and organized thought so that the student forgot assignments, failed tests, and could not structure ideas to write term papers. 
  • A recommendation that the student withdraw from the semester for health reasons.
  • The letter should be typed on the professional’s letterhead and addressed to:

Thomas A. Rambo, Dean of Students
Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA  24153

If there has been an event with health consequences so severe that the outlined requirements are precluded or self-evident, then the student, or an immediate or designated family member, may initiate and substantiate the health withdrawal request by directly contacting the office above. 

Upon submission of appropriate and sufficient documentation, the Dean of Students or designee makes the determination about granting a withdrawal for health reasons and notifies the student and the Registrar’s Office.  Written releases of information by the student for their health care providers may be required to supplement the submitted information.  If the withdrawal is granted, the Registrar’s Office notifies other campus offices (e.g. Business Office, Residence Life & Housing, Financial Aid, Campus Safety) as necessary, and a hold is placed preventing the student’s registration. 

A student receiving notification of a withdrawal for health reasons will also be provided information about readmission to the College and lifting the registration hold (see “Requesting a Return from a Withdrawal for Health Reasons”).  All students withdrawn for health reasons must receive a clearance of health before being readmitted and enrolled.  With few exceptions, a student should typically not expect to be enrolled the semester following the withdrawal. 

To initiate a request to withdraw for health reasons online, click HERE

Returns from a withdrawal for health reasons:

A withdrawal for health reasons is granted in situations in which a student’s physical and/or psychological functioning was impaired to such a degree that the student could not complete the academic requirements for the semester.  Given these circumstances, it is expected that students will take suitable actions to remedy the problems necessitating this withdrawal and provide substantiating documentation to assess and assure their academic readiness and ability to participate in all aspects of the campus community.  Therefore, prior to your return to Roanoke College you will need to:

Provide a written personal statement indicating:

  1. Explanation of the situation that necessitated the withdrawal for health reasons;
  2. What actions you have taken since the withdrawal to resolve the impairments in functioning due to the health conditions and any other problems that contributed to the withdrawal;
  3. A description of the resources and behaviors that you plan to use to succeed when you return to Roanoke College.
  4. Provide a current Release of Information form allowing the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee to discuss your return with any on or off campus service provider you have worked with such as Health Services, the Counseling Center, Disability Services, and other health related professionals.

Documentation from Health Care Provider:

In addition, you will need to submit appropriate documentation from your health care provider(s) outlining the following: 

  1. The diagnoses corresponding to treatment;
  2. A description of the health impairments that were treated, how they were treated, and the time frame of the treatment;
  3. The improvements in functioning achieved in treatment relevant to college participation and academic success;
  4. Any restrictions in the ability to function in college, and if so, any accommodations recommended;
  5. Ongoing treatment recommendations, including a prognosis based upon the history of compliance;
  6. Risks to the student or others in the community currently, or if treatment recommendations are not complied with;
  7. A recommendation for readmission by the provider based upon the opinion that the student is now able to persist to complete academic requirements for the semester. 

In order to allow sufficient time to process your request, please submit this form, your personal statement and all other relevant documentation 30 days before the beginning of the semester for which you are requesting readmission.

Submit a request to return from a withdrawal for health reasons online HERE.  Medical documentation should be addressed and mailed to:

Thomas A. Rambo, Dean of Students
Roanoke College
221 College Lane
Salem, VA 24153
540-375-2592(P)
540-378-5127 (F)