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If, after the meeting, the student maintains that he/she would like to remain enrolled, the
Dean of Students will request that the student sign an authorization permitting
medical/clinical professionals who have treated the student to share information with the
Dean of Students and other University officials. Failure by the student to sign the
authorization will result in the involuntary withdrawal of the student from the University, as
the University will have insufficient information to render an individualized determination.
The Dean of Students, or designee, will then convene an “Involuntary Leave of Absence
Committee” comprised of the Dean of Students (or designee), one Law School Associate
Dean and the Director of Health and Wellness (or designee). Additional Law School or
University Administrators will be added to the committee if and when appropriate. The
Committee will review collected information and information presented by the student. The
committee will engage in a determination on an individualized, case-by-case basis, taking
into consideration the nature, duration and severity of the risk and the likelihood, imminence
and nature of the future harmful conduct, either to the student or to others in the University
community.
The Committee will render a decision and present that decision to the student in writing.
Should the decision be to place the student on a Leave of Absence, appropriate conditions for
return will be contained within the written notification.
A student who is seeking to return to school after being placed on an Involuntary Leave of
Absence must submit a written plan that identifies how the student will resume his/her status
at the Law School. The plan must respond to the situation that gave rise to the need for the
student’s Involuntary Leave of Absence. The Law School may require that the student submit
medical or psychological records indicating that the student has adequately addressed the
condition that gave rise to the Involuntary Leave of Absence and/or indicates suggested
conditions for re-enrollment such as regular counseling sessions or limited course load.
The Involuntary Leave of Absence Committee will review the student’s plan to determine on
an individualized, case-by-case basis whether or not the student’s request to re-enroll at that
time shall be granted or denied by taking into consideration all of the relevant factors and
information presented. The decision of the Committee is final.
Definition of Notice
Under this policy, notice is deemed to be given if sent by e-mail to a student’s Suffolk University
e-mail address.
Interim Measures
The Law School reserves the right to place a student on an immediate interim Leave of Absence
that will remain in effect until a final decision is made pursuant to the procedure, unless, before a
final decision is made, the Law School determines that the reasons for imposing the interim
Leave of Absence no longer exist.