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Policy Statement
Undergraduates are expected to maintain continuous registration every fall and spring term from the time they matriculate until they graduate. Students who will not maintain continuous registration for any reason should consult with an advisor about whether to request a leave of absence and determine the financial aid or re-admission implications of not registering.
- Students in good academic standing will ordinarily be granted a leave of absence upon request, subject to the considerations below. The length of the leave must not exceed four terms (fall and spring terms).
Leaves of Absence should be limited to the following reasons:
- Physical or mental health concerns
- Family obligations
- Financial concerns
- Military service
- Academics – sequenced courses are not offered for the upcoming term, reconsidering major, academic struggles, etc.
- Career opportunities
Students with other circumstances should consult with their advisor(s) for appropriate alternatives.
- Students may return before the expiration of their leave. Whether the student returns early or at the expiration of the leave, colleges may condition the timing of readmission to a program on availability of space.
- Except as provided in 3a, undergraduates who fail to register for a term (excluding summer) and who have not been granted a leave of absence, or whose leave of absence has expired, will be discontinued.
- Morris only: Undergraduates who fail to register for two terms (excluding summer) and who have not been granted a leave of absence, or whose leave of absence has expired, will be discontinued.
- Students who are discontinued must contact their college office to obtain approval for readmission to a program and register for another term. Students in good academic standing at the time they were discontinued normally will be allowed to return.
- A student who has left the University without a leave of absence for more than two consecutive terms (not including summer session) may be held to new program requirements upon returning to the University. A student returning within two terms (fall and spring) or less will be allowed to follow the program requirements in place when they left the University.
- Readmission following a leave of absence or break in enrollment may be denied based on crimes or other serious misconduct that would have been grounds for suspension or expulsion had the student engaged in the conduct while enrolled (see Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code.)
Exclusions
This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.
Reason for Policy
Periodically students must interrupt their enrollment. Allowing students to take a leave of absence provides students the opportunity to return to the University under the rules and policies in effect when they left. It also allows the University the opportunity to counsel students about the required actions to return to the University. This policy implements criteria and requirements for accreditation established by the Higher Learning Commission.