Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)
Prior to requesting a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) we strongly advise you to speak with the Associate Dean of your School, as well as your Financial Aid counselor, if you are receiving financial aid, before finalizing your decision. There are 3 documents that need to be provided to the Counseling Center for an MLOA based on mental health issues: the Counseling Center Request for Medical Leave of Absence form; the Registrar's Medical Leave of Absence Form and documentation of your psychological or psychiatric condition. The MLOA request must be completed in consultation with the Counseling Center before it can be processed by the Registrar's Office. Once we have all of the required documentation, the Counseling Center will send only the Registrar's MLOA form out to the respective offices that are indicated at the bottom of the Registrar's MLOA form. If you have been seen at the Counseling Center, then you should consult with your counselor about obtaining an MLOA.
If you are not on campus, or if your treating medical provider is not on campus, then, in addition to the 2 MLOA forms linked above, your treating provider should submit supporting psychological and/or psychiatric documentation to the Counseling Center. The supporting documentation should be either copies of a visit or treatment notes, as well as a typed letter, on letterhead, which is signed by your provider. It should specifically state that the treating provider recommends a leave of absence be granted for psychiatric or psychological reasons. The documentation should also include the diagnosis(es) which is/are the basis for the leave. The documentation from an outside provider should be faxed directly to the counseling center. Our fax number is 607-753-2367. The other 2 MLOA forms, should also be submitted by the student requesting the MLOA either in person, by mail or by fax.
Returning from a Medical Leave of Absence
In order to insure that all students who take a Medical Leave of Absence are safe upon returning to campus, you MUST have your treating psychological/psychiatric provider complete and sign the Return from Medical Leave Form. This form should also be faxed directly to the Counseling Center. Our fax number is 607-753-2367. You will not be removed from the registration stop list until this form is received, reviewed and approved by the Counseling Center. The Counseling Center will NOT accept Student Health forms, so please assure that you are using the correct Return from Medical Leave Form with your Provider.
Involuntary Leave of Absence (ILOA)
Requiring a student to take a leave of absence is rare and only happens when current medical knowledge and/or the best available objective evidence indicates to the President's designee(s) at the University that there is a significant risk to the student's health or safety, or the health or safety of others in the Campus community, or the student's behavior severely disrupts the College or University environment, where no reasonable accommodations can adequately reduce that risk or disruption.
Information on the SUNY Cortland Involuntary Leave of Absence process is outlined in the SUNY Involuntary Leave of Absence policy.
SUNY is committed to providing equal access to all participants in Campus processes, including students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should contact the Disability Resources Office at SUNY Cortland to request accommodations.