Returning From a Leave of Absence (RLOA)
Returning From a Leave of Absence (RLOA)- Expectation to Return
- Why Do Students Have to Request to Return?
- Process to Return from a Leave of Absence (RLOA)
- Extending a Leave or Requesting a New Leave
- Discontinuing from a Doctoral Program
- Contact
Expectation to Return
Students who are approved for a leave of absence are expected to return to active study.
In most cases, Rackham expects that graduate chairs or directors will recommend a student’s return from a leave of absence, even if a different chair or director was involved with the initial request for a leave. If a student requests to return earlier than originally planned, and there are not adequate resources available to support the student, Rackham will have a conversation with the chair or director to identify ways to support the student’s return.
Why Do Students Have to Request to Return?
Students on a leave of absence for personal reasons will automatically be returned at the start of the next fall or winter term following their leave. Rackham does not require graduate programs to endorse a student’s return from a leave of absence for personal reasons, as this type of leave is limited to one term in a student’s doctoral career. However, we encourage students and graduate program faculty to work together to smoothly transition the student back from the leave of absence.
Students on all other types of leave of absence must request to return from their leave of absence via the Rackham Leave of Absence online system. A request to return indicates to the student’s program and to Rackham that the student is ready to return to active study. This action triggers changes in the student’s record, including active student status as well as enabling the student to register for the coming term. Students will not be eligible to register until they have requested to return from their leave of absence.
Process to Return from a Leave of Absence (RLOA)
Students on a leave of absence should contact their graduate program at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the term they are scheduled to return. Some graduate programs may have additional guidelines about when students need to inform their graduate program about their intent to return. Students should revise or finalize their re-entry plan with their graduate chair or director prior to requesting to return from their leave of absence.
Students with a U-M issued F-1 or J-1 visa should follow the International Center’s recommended timing to obtain a visa, if applicable.
To allow for processing of the request to return to active study, students should request to return in the Rackham Leave of Absence system no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of the term they are scheduled to return. Students should register prior to the start of the next fall or winter term in order to avoid a late registration fee. Below are the options available to students in the Rackham Leave of Absence online system:
To Return from a Leave As Scheduled
Students returning from a leave of absence for medical reasons must provide supplemental documentation from their health care provider to support their return from a leave. No additional documentation is required to return from any other type of leave of absence.
To Return Early from a Leave
Students who wish to return to active study in an earlier term than originally approved may request to return early from their leave. Students will be conditionally approved for the new return date. Once the student is ready to return to active study, he or she must make a request to return from the leave of absence.
To Request a Different Type of Leave or Extend a Current Leave
Extending a Leave or Requesting a New Leave
Students not ready to return to active study in the term originally requested may request another type of leave of absence or extend their current leave, if eligible. Supplemental information may be required:
Military Service
Requires military induction or authorization papers.
Medical Reasons
Requires the student’s health care provider to complete documentation.
Family Necessity or Dependent Care
Requires basic information about the student’s family member and a brief explanation of the need.
Personal Reasons
No documentation is required. Only available for one term in a student’s doctoral career.
Discontinuing from a Doctoral Program
Students who are not ready to return to active Ph.D. study can choose to discontinue from their Ph.D. program. Students should contact their graduate chair or director to notify him or her of their intent to discontinue. All funding commitments to a Ph.D. student expire when a student is discontinued. Students may apply for reinstatement into their Ph.D. program when they are ready to return to active graduate study.
Contact
If you have questions, please contact Rackham’s Leave of Absence Coordinator, Natalie Bartolacci, by e-mail rackham.loa@umich.edu or call (734) 647-2640.