35 Temporary Leave of Absence Policy
Temporary Leave of Absence Policy
Faculty understand that unplanned and unavoidable medical/personal issues sometimes arise which may prohibit a student’s ability to continue with clinical experience courses safely and effectively. If a student is unable to participate in their clinical education for an extended period, they have exhausted all personal days, and the absence would cause a course grade reduction, a Temporary Leave of Absence may be granted if certain criteria are met.
Conditions for granting a Temporary Leave of Absence: (as stated in the RISP Student Handbook)
- If a student would like to request a Temporary Leave of Absence from the program or clinical course, they must immediately contact the RISP Program Director and the Clinical Coordinator.
- The student must arrange, in writing, a Leave of Absence Continuation Agreement with the program director. This agreement must state the duration of the withdrawal and any conditions the student will be required to meet prior to readmission. The student will be readmitted in accordance with the agreement. If the student does not follow the agreement as written, the student will be reclassified as a student who has permanently withdrawn and will fall under the “Other Withdrawals” identified below. It should be noted that the timing of the resumption of clinical coursework may depend on the availability of clinical space at the expected time of reentry and may not follow the original clinical schedule given to the student.
- The student requesting a leave of absence must provide written documentation from a physician (if applicable) stating they are temporarily unable to actively participate in the clinical component of the program. They must also provide written clearance, without restrictions, from a physician (if applicable) prior to their return to the program.
- If the student’s request for a leave of absence will NOT exceed two consecutive semesters, The student must arrange, in writing, a Clinical Course Continuation Plan with the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Preceptor that states the duration of expected leave, a plan for making up missed clinical time and rotations, and any other conditions the student will be required to meet upon their return. The student will be readmitted in accordance with the agreement.
- If the student’s request for a leave of absence will exceed two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to complete a Clinical Re-entry Period prior to continuing the clinical course sequence. A tentative start date for the clinical re-entry period must be determined at the time of the withdrawal. A clinical spot will be held for the student if an open spot exists. If the student changes the date of re-entry or fails to schedule a re-entry meeting, no guarantee of clinical reentry will be made. Any student entering the Clinical Re-Entry Period, must enroll in the RADI R155 Clinical Re-entry course (1 cr.), which allows the student to refresh their clinical skills and meet the required clinical course objectives so competency achievement and registry exam eligibility can be documented effectively.
- If at any time during the Temporary Leave of Absence, the student decides not to return to the Radiography Program, they must inform the Program Director at least 6 weeks prior to first day of the semester in which they plan to return. If they fail to do so, their spot as a student in the IUPUI Radiography Program will not be held.
Please note: Approval for a Temporary Leave of Absence request will be assessed on an individual case-by-case basis. The final decision to approve a leave of absence request is at the discretion of the IUPUI Radiography Program Director.
At no time should a student contact a clinical site(s) to make personal arrangements to return to clinic, change prescheduled clinical hours, or work while under a physician’s care with limiting restrictions; including but not limited to sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling.
Students will not be permitted to use clinic cash or personal time to make up their missed clinical time.
Other Withdrawals (as stated in the RISP Student Handbook)
A student who withdraws without a continuation agreement or does not enroll for an academic session will not be allowed further enrollment in the program. If the student subsequently wishes to re-enroll, the student will be required to file a new application for admission. The student may request but is not guaranteed advanced standing in the program based on the previous coursework completed.