The purpose of a medical withdrawal is to provide students with time away from their academic studies if they encounter a health condition that prevents them from meeting the normal expectations of a student or impacts their ability to function safely or successfully as a member of our community.

A medical withdrawal is voluntary and shall be requested at the sole discretion of the student.

Eligibility

A student is eligible for a medical withdrawal when the following conditions have been met:

  • The student has experienced a health condition that prevents them from meeting the normal expectations of a student or impacts their ability to function safely or successfully as a member of our community.
  • The student requires a period of time away from Denison for the treatment of the health condition.
  • The student is seeking withdrawal from the current semester.
  • The student’s request is completed prior to the last day of classes.
  • The student has current documentation from a treating healthcare provider (who may not be a family member) attesting to and in support of the medical withdrawal.

Requests for medical withdrawal must be complete, including all required documentation, by 4:30 p.m. on the last day of classes for the semester for which the medical withdrawal is sought.

How to request a medical withdrawal

Students must submit the request form online. As part of the request, students must include:

  • A personal statement that addresses why they are seeking a medical withdrawal, and describes their plans for time spent away from campus, including what they will do to address the circumstances leading to the withdrawal, and support resources they will use while away.
  • A Medical Withdrawal Provider Report, completed by the student’s healthcare provider. Alternatively, the provider may write a letter, but it must include the same information. Please note that the provider will likely ask that the student sign appropriate releases of information to authorize them to complete this form. The provider report must be current within 90 days of its submission. Please note that medical records will not be accepted or considered as a form of documentation.
  • Grant permission for Student Life to consult with relevant Denison departments necessary for processing the medical withdrawal request.
  • Grant permission for Student Life to share any and all information pertinent to the medical withdrawal request with Hoaglin Wellness staff.

Upon receipt of a complete medical withdrawal request

  • Hoaglin staff will conduct an individualized review of the documentation and provide a medical assessment of whether the student’s situation meets the stated eligibility criteria (a-e).
  • Hoaglin will provide their assessment to DU Cares staff who will render the final determination.
  • The final decision will rely heavily on information received from the student’s healthcare provider and Hoaglin’s assessment.

If the request is approved

  • A member of the DU Cares staff will provide the student with notification of the decision by email using their official Denison University email address.
  • The notification will include the effective date of withdrawal, any applicable conditions for return, the timeline for return, and information about the return process, including deadlines.
  • The student will have five business days to confirm via email that they wish to proceed with the withdrawal and accept any associated conditions.

If the request is denied

  • A member of the DU Cares staff will provide the student with notification of the decision by email using their official Denison University email address.
  • The notification will include a rationale for the denial and information about the appeal process.
  • If students do not return on the identified timeline without an approved extension, the withdrawal will convert to a general withdrawal and students will have to reapply for admission.

If students do not return on the identified timeline without an approved extension, the withdrawal will convert to a general withdrawal and students will have to reapply for admission.