How to return from medical withdrawal

Students initiate the request to return by completing the request to return from medical withdrawal form. For a student’s request to be considered, the student must provide:

  • A personal statement that addresses the activities, including treatment, the student engaged in while on withdrawal, describes the student’s perspective on why they feel ready to return to the demands of academic and campus life at Denison, describes, if applicable, recommended health maintenance strategies used and the student’s plan for implementing them upon their return, and describes ongoing treatment recommendations and plans, including the availability of recommended care, treatment providers, and the compatibility of treatment with the expectations of academic and campus life.
  • 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 for appropriate releases of information to authorize them to complete this form. The provider report must be current and dated within 60 days of its submission. Please note: medical records will not be accepted or considered as documentation.
  • If applicable, submit documentation necessary to demonstrate that the student met any assigned conditions for return.
  • Grant permission for a member of the Division of Student Life to consult with relevant Denison departments necessary for processing your medical withdrawal request.
  • Grant permission for a member of the Division of Student Life to share any and all information pertinent to the medical withdrawal request with Hoaglin Wellness staff.
  • Submit all materials by the deadline: July 1 for a fall semester return and November 1 for a spring semester return. Please note that weekends/holidays do not alter the deadlines. 

Upon receipt of a complete medical withdrawal request

  • Hoaglin staff will conduct an individualized review of the documentation.
  • 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 decision, suggested campus resources, the day/time of a transition meeting with DU Cares staff, the name/contact information for the student’s academic advisor, and information about any additional steps, of which DU Cares is aware, that the student must complete before returning.

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.