Leaving the University
Students may leave the University upon graduating, or while on an approved leave of absence, or because of voluntary withdrawal. For an approved absence that occurs between semesters, the status of leave of absence is appropriate. For an absence that occurs within a semester, the status of withdrawal is appropriate. Therefore, a student may withdraw from a semester between its start and end dates but be on leave of absence between the end of that semester and the start of the semester of return. Students dismissed are customarily ineligible to return except upon meeting specific conditions stipulated by each college. A notice of “withdrew” and the date are entered on the transcript.

The expected date of graduation is determined administratively upon admission. However, students themselves must confirm their intention to graduate directly with their college dean’s office in the semester prior to graduation. The University holds only one commencement ceremony in May of each year. Spring degrees are granted as of that day; summer and fall semester degrees are awarded on the day after the final examination period that is shown on the University calendar for those semesters. A student is awarded a graduation date subsequent to completion of all requirements for the degree. Specific degree requirements are described in each college section of this bulletin. Approval to graduate requires permission of the college dean or designee with approval by the University Board of Trustees.

Leaves of absence constitute interruptions in progress and are generally discouraged. A student in good standing who must interrupt study for compelling circumstances beyond his/her control may petition the college dean for a leave, usually not to exceed one year. Students who fail to return after the leave has expired are not considered to be in the degree program any longer and must reapply for subsequent readmission. During the period of leave, the transcript carries a designation of “LOA” and the date.

Voluntary withdrawal from the University (as well as from individual courses) during the drop/add period results in no transcript entry. After this period, withdrawal of any type results in withdrawal grades if approved by the college dean. Failure to return for the succeeding semester constitutes disruption of studies. Readmission in each instance requires the student to complete again the entire application process.