Student Support Services

Returning From Leave

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Returning From Leave

Guidance and requirements for a supported, thoughtful return to Brown following a medical leave of absence.

Medical leaves are designed to give students time to focus on their health and well-being so they can return to Brown ready to engage fully in academic and co-curricular life. The medical leave clearance process ensures that students have had time to take care of their health and that appropriate support systems are in place for a successful return.

This page outlines the clearance process for undergraduate students returning from a medical leave of absence. Students on personal leave should contact the College, and graduate or medical students should contact their respective schools (Graduate School or Warren Alpert Medical School).

Below is an overview of the philosophy, deadlines and materials required as part of the petition for clearance to return.

Guidelines: Clearance to Return from Medical Leave

The full document, Guidelines: Clearance to Return from Medical Leave, provides additional detail on these materials as well as outlining the timeline of the process, criteria which are considered, clearance committee membership, and appeal process.

Download Guidelines (PDF)

Overview of the Process

The clearance process is guided by the principle that returning students should be able to:

Manage their health effectively in an autonomous college environment
Avoid significant disruption to others in the University community
Access and maintain any necessary ongoing care (e.g., medications, therapy, medical treatment)

Student Support Services will work in collaboration with returning students and their medical care providers to ensure a well-supported transition back to campus.

Key Deadlines

Although petitions are reviewed on a rolling basis, students should submit materials by the 1st of the month to be reviewed during that month. Reviews typically take four weeks, and incomplete petitions will roll to the next review cycle once complete.

Keep in mind that your clearance timeline may affect other important University deadlines. To petition for clearance, all materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on the relevant deadline. Deadlines include the following:

Final deadline	Fall Semester	Spring Semester	Summer Session
To return	June 1^st	November 1^st	May 1^st
To participate in pre-registration	March 1^st	October 1^st	February 1^st
To participate in housing lottery	January 1^st	n/a	n/a
To participate in special interest housing	January 1^st	n/a	n/a

Petition Materials

To request clearance to return, students must submit the following:

Student Letter – A personal reflection outlining your time away, care taken, and your plan for return
Clinician Letter(s) – Documentation from your healthcare provider(s) supporting your readiness to return (visit our Information for External Treatment Providers page)
Release of Information Form – Authorizing communication between Brown and your providers

Detailed descriptions of each item are included in the guidelines document.

How to Submit

You may send your completed petition by email, fax, or mail:

Email

studentsupport@brown.edu

Fax

401-863-1999

Mail

Student Support Services
Attn: Medical Leave Clearance Committee
Box 2015
Providence, RI 02912

Student Support Services deans are available at any point to answer questions about materials, timelines, or the clearance process. Meet with a Dean.

Helpful Links

Additional Information

Taking a Leave

Supportive guidance to help you consider whether medical leave is the right step for your well-being and academic journey.

While on Leave

Information and guidance to help you stay informed, supported, and connected during your medical leave from Brown.