Applying for Leave or Withdrawal

Personal versus Health Leave

Leave of Absence or Withdrawal Policy

Each leave is for one semester, renewable for a second semester. No leave may extend for more than two consecutive semesters, although there is no limit to the total number of semesters that a student may accumulate.

I. Types of Leaves

1. Personal Leave: intended for students who wish to take time away from Marietta College to pursue primarily non-academic activities. Students on personal leave may work, participate in an internship, or simply take time off to think about their goals. This leave is intended for students who plan to return to campus within one semester, although the leave may be extended for a second semester.
2. Health Leave: intended for students who need to take time away from Marietta College for health reasons.

II. Types of Withdrawals

1. Withdrawal: intended for students who do not plan to return to Marietta College.
2. Transferring: for students who plan to seek a degree from another institution.
3. Involuntary Administrative Withdrawal: may be initiated by the Dean of Students for students who are suspended or dismissed due to Student Code of Conduct violations or who pose a direct threat to themself; or may be initiated by the Provost for students who fail to demonstrate a serious academic effort.

III. Policy regarding grades in the event of a leave of absence or withdrawal

1. A grade of “W” will be recorded for each course for which a student was registered if the student withdraws from the College starting the first day of the semester but before the end of the ninth week of the semester.
2. “WF” will be entered if the student is withdrawn for social misconduct.
3. A grade of “WF” will be recorded for each course for which a student was registered if the student withdraws from the College after Monday of the tenth week of a semester. Under certain circumstances, such as family catastrophe or substantiated health problems, grades of “W” may be recorded after the tenth week at the discretion of the Registrar.
4. FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE ONLY: An Incomplete (I) may be given when the student has completed a percentage of the course but, for reasons beyond his or her control, has to take a leave of absence. See Grading System for rules regarding the grades of incomplete.

NOTE: Official transcripts will not be released by the Records Office until ALL outstanding financial obligations have been met.

The usual rules for transferring credit to Marietta College for classes taken elsewhere while on leave will apply to any academic work done by the student while on academic leave, personal leave, medical leave, or while withdrawn from Marietta College.

All academic suspensions and dismissals take precedence over a leave of absence or withdrawal. If a student is already on probation or is placed on probation while on leave, the conditions of probation are continued to the semester in which the student returns to the College.

Returning After a Leave of Absence

To return after a leave of absence, students should contact the Records Office at records@marietta.edu when they are ready to resume enrollment, ideally no later than 30 days prior to the first day of classes. The Records Office will confirm with the following offices that the student is eligible to return and any relevant restrictions: Student Life, Financial Aid Office, and Student Accounts. Additionally, if returning from a Health Leave, the J. Michael Harding Center for Health and Wellness must receive a letter from the student's professional therapist, physician, or both stating the student's health situation and the belief that the student is able to return to Marietta College.