Schiffert Health Center
Academic Relief Guidelines
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REQUESTS FOR ACADEMIC RELIEF
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
• The Medical Review Advisory Committee reviews requests for academic relief. For Course Drops: “W” grades WILL
NOT be considered.
• Students must have documentation showing a significant medical problem that substantially interfered with their
ability to meet their academic responsibilities. Only the Dean has the final authority in granting academic relief.
• Once an academic relief recommendation has been made during a semester, additional recommendations will not
be considered unless a newly documented illness has occurred.
• Extended illness with evidence of medical treatment on or off campus, essential surgery, periods of hospitalization
for medical treatment, injuries requiring extended treatment with related treatment by a physician may qualify for
a recommendation for academic relief.
• It is understood that students may be involved in many situations that are stressful and distracting that interfere
with studying and other academic responsibilities. However, it is not within the authority of the committee to make
recommendations for academic relief based on extenuating circumstances (i.e. death of a family member or their
illness) which may or may not be beyond the student's control.
• In most circumstances, recommendations for retroactive course drops or withdrawals are not considered. For
circumstances where the student was hospitalized or otherwise disabled at the time when this decision would have
been made, the student's case will be reviewed at the request of their Academic Dean. Retroactive requests WILL
NOT be considered beyond the past calendar year. Thorough and complete medical documentation will be
required.
If the student qualifies for academic relief, a recommendation letter will be written to the student's Dean. The
committee may offer suggestions as to what action the Dean might take such as dropping a course, being allowed to
take incompletes, delaying exams or in some cases withdrawing from school for medical reasons. Withdrawal from the
University for medical reasons requires a hold on readmission until the student provides a letter of recommendation
from the treating professional supporting the student's return to the University.
The committee will review your medical record at the Schiffert Health Center. Other documentation from off campus
physicians should be provided to the committee for consideration prior to the committee meeting. You may be
contacted by the committee to clarify information in your request or to consider other alternatives. Notification will be
sent by email to the student of the committee's decision. Students must pick up letters of recommendation and submit
it to their Dean for processing
Revised 1/19
