Considering a Leave

In these meetings, your Student Success Dean will highlight important policy, share how a leave might impact your path to graduation, and discuss helpful resources. 

• Students receiving financial aid are strongly encouraged to meet with Student Financial Services to understand how a leave may influence their aid package prior to deciding. 
• International students must meet with International Student and Scholar Services to ensure that they remain in compliance and have a full understanding of the implications of their decision. 

Please note:

• After June 1, students who change their fall semester status from full-time, on-campus to leave of absence will be charged a $500 late enrollment change fee.  
• After October 15, students who change their spring semester status from full-time, on-campus to leave of absence will be charged a $500 late enrollment change fee. 
• For students who elect to take a leave of absence during a semester in progress, student accounts will be credited according to the tuition refund schedule. 

Information about the College’s Leave of Absence policies can be found in the Student Handbook.   

Leaves to Address Health or Medical Needs

Deans in the Center for Student Success regularly work with students to help them find an appropriate balance between their health needs and academic goals. Depending on circumstances, Deans might discuss ways for students to tend to health concerns while still making progress towards their degrees. Examples of how this might look for students include the following:

• Exploring academic or residential accommodations through the Disability Resource Center. 
• Petitioning for a late drop and/or reduced course load. 
• Meeting with Learning Resources to make a plan to catch up on missed assignments. 

Deans also refer students navigating health needs to partners in the Center for Health and Wellness who can: 

• Coordinate continuity of care plans with home providers to manage care 
• Help students access on and off campus medical and mental health resources 
• Connect students to skill-building and peer-support based programming on campus 
• Evaluate whether a Temporary Medical Leave is appropriate 

If a full leave of absence feels more appropriate, Deans can give an overview of Leaves of Absences and will also connect students and their families with the Center for Health and Wellness for more information about the Medical Return Process. Staff in the Center for Health and Wellness work closely with students and families before, during, and upon return from leaves of absences to ensure that students have the support and resources they need. 

Breaking out of the Middlebury Bubble

Middlebury College prides itself on being a close-knit residential community. But there are times when students might be looking for learning experiences outside of our bucolic location. Given the global reach of Middlebury College, there are many opportunities that students can explore off campus, while still maintaining their Middlebury status. In addition to meeting with a Student Success Dean, students should consider connecting with some of the following options to learn about unique and off-campus opportunities. 

• The Center for Careers and Internships to learn more about internships (either for credit in winter term or with financial support in the summer) and to connect with a robust network of mentors.
• The Study Abroad Office for semester, year-long and summer international credit bearing opportunities or policies. 
• Academic advisors to discuss taking classes over the summer at a different college or university, including the Middlebury Language School. 
• The Innovation Hub to receive support and mentorship from global leaders in entrepreneurship. 
• The Center for Community Engagement to learn more about how to meaningfully connect with the broader community just outside of campus. 
• Professors and academic advisors to hear more about major specific professional networks, research opportunities, and fellowships.

Students often report that these conversations helped them unlock doors that they didn’t even know were there. 

If a leave of absence feels more appropriate then the above options, students should make an appointment with a Student Success Dean to discuss the process.  

Mandatory Time Away

There are times when students are required to take a Leave of Absence for failing to meet academic or community standards, or when there are significant concerns about a student’s health and safety. While these breaks can be hard, students often report that the time away provided a valuable opportunity to tend to underlying concerns that were difficult to address as a full-time student. Additionally, these breaks are meant to help students get back on track with degree completion requirements while practicing skills that support their academic and community success.   

As an educational institution, Middlebury College encourages students to reflect on the behaviors that precipitated their mandatory time away, identify resources that can help them better align their values and goals with their actions, and put in the practice required to translate intention into habit. Students in these circumstances should work closely with their Student Success Dean, the Office of Community Standards or the Center for Health and Wellness to formulate a plan, learn more about relevant options or resources, and ask any questions they might have about their return requirements.