View Academic Policies & Procedures
Helpful Information
Leave of Absence
A Leave of Absence is a formal request to leave school but return within one year.
Request a Leave of Absence if you need to take some "time off" from college but have a plan and expect to return to SUNY Potsdam within a year's time.
Withdrawal
A Withdrawal is an official request to leave school for an undetermined amount of time.
Request a withdrawal if you are not planning to return to SUNY Potsdam or if you are uncertain about your future plans.
An Emergency Withdrawal (W*) from the College can be requested if you are forced to leave the College during a semester due to reasons beyond your control.
Acceptable circumstances for an Emergency Withdrawal:
- A severe medical or emotional condition or
- A serious family emergency, etc.
- You must be able to provide clear and complete documentation of the situation from a qualified professional such as a doctor or psychological counselor.
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 specific College or 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.
Readmission
Any student who leaves the College and wishes to return must complete an Application for Readmission.