Leaves of Absence: Graduate Assistants, Instructors & Fellows

It will be the responsibility of students to resolve all issues pertaining to their support (e.g., research assistantship, teaching assistantship, fellowship or scholarship) with their adviser or other relevant authority before taking an approved leave of absence. These issues include the date when support will be terminated and whether or under what conditions students will be reinstated for support upon their return.

Notifying Administrators

A graduate assistant unable to fulfill the duties of his or her appointment because of illness or injury shall notify the administrator of his or her major unit as soon as circumstances permit. Similarly, a graduate assistant unable to fulfill the duties of her or his appointment because of birth or adoption of a child shall notify the administrator of her or his major unit as soon as circumstances permit.

Assessing Time & Nature of Leave

The appointing unit may adjust the graduate assistant's workload duties as the assistant's physical circumstances reasonably dictate. If total absence from duties becomes necessary, the major unit shall hold the appointment, provided the graduate assistant is still enrolled, for a period of two months or until the end of the appointment period or of the semester, whichever should occur first.

The graduate assistant shall have the right to return to the assistantship, within the original terms of the appointment, at such time as he or she is able to reassume the duties of the position.

Re-Entry Process

Before the completion of the leave of absence, students must notify the academic program director of graduate studies (DGS) and the Graduate School so that the re-entry process can be initiated.