Leave of Absence - Colorado College

Leave of Absence. The deadlines for requesting a leave of absence are November 1 for a leave that begins in the spring semester and March 1 for a leave that begins in the fall semester. Students must apply for a pending leave by the appropriate deadline even if they are awaiting word of their acceptance to a specific program. Students who are granted a leave are expected to reconfirm their return date in writing to the dean of students (for nonacademic leaves) or the registrar’s office (for academic leaves) no later than November 1 for a return in the spring and March 1 for a return in the fall. Students who fail to reconfirm will have their preregistration canceled, and they will be withdrawn formally from the college. Students who are granted leaves that include the spring semester have the option of preregistering by mail. Finally, the preregistration deposit is nonrefundable and forfeited after the November and March deadlines for requesting a leave of absence.

On formal application to the dean of students, a nonacademic leave of absence will be considered for either financial or personal emergency. Students who find it necessary to interrupt their education because of financial considerations are expected to contact the dean of students and to present evidence in support of their request for a financial leave. In the case of personal emergencies, such as illness or family crisis, the dean of students should be consulted. A student on personal leave of absence is expected not to attend another college or university. If unusual circumstances warrant attendance, credit will not be accepted unless prior approval has been received from the dean in consultation with the registrar’s office.

On formal application to the registrar’s office, an academic leave of absence will be considered for ACM programs, Washington Semester, and Kansai Gaidai, as these are an official part of the Colorado College curriculum. In addition, students planning to study abroad should apply for a leave of absence in the registrar’s office, and the office of international programs must approve nonaffiliated study abroad programs. Students who apply must request a leave of absence from the registrar’s office prior to the deadlines for requesting a leave. The college cannot guarantee a leave to those students who apply late or are accepted late by these programs.

Withdrawal from the College

All students who decide to interrupt their education at Colorado College and who do not qualify for a leave of absence, or who wish to transfer to another institution, are expected to withdraw formally from the college. A notice of formal withdrawal is available in the dean of students office. To withdraw from the college for the spring semester, a student must submit a formal notice of withdrawal by November 1 of the preceding year or forfeit the general obligation deposit. To withdraw from the college for the fall semester, a student must submit an intention to withdraw by March 1 of the preceding academic year or forfeit the general obligation deposit.

Students who withdraw to transfer to another institution and later wish to reapply to Colorado College must do so through the admission office as transfer candidates. Those students who withdraw for other reasons, such as time off to travel or simply to take a break from the educational environment, have the option of reapplying to Colorado College by writing directly to the vice president for student life or the dean of students. This option remains open for two semesters (one academic year) following withdrawal. The deadlines for reapplying through the dean of students for a given semester are November 1 for reinstatement in the spring semester and March 1 for reinstatement in the fall semester. After a lapsed time of two semesters or longer, students in this category who still wish to reapply to Colorado College must do so through the admission office. Students who withdraw formally from the college do not have the option of preregistering in the spring.