1.13 Leave of Absence

Students may request a leave of absence in the circumstance below:

1. A student has completed at least the first semester but needs to take time off from school for a semester or more.

Such requests must be submitted, in writing, to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A student will not be regarded as having been granted a leave of absence unless her/his written request is approved, in writing, by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A leave of absence may be granted for up to one year. If a student is unable to return within that period, the student must request an extension of the leave of absence in writing.

Students who withdraw during their first semester of law school are not eligible for a leave of absence. If the circumstances surrounding their decision to leave and the details of the application would have made them eligible for an admission deferment, such students may be eligible for re-admission in the following or a later semester. In these cases, students must make a written request seeking re- admission. These students will be notified, in writing, of the requirements for re-admission consideration. If the student meets these requirements, re-admission decisions in these cases will be made jointly by the Dean of Admissions and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The student will be notified, in writing, of the outcome of this process and, if re-admission is granted, of the terms and conditions of re-admission. If re-admission is not granted through this process, the student is free to re-apply to the Law School for admission through the regular admissions process.

If a student officially withdraws during the course of a semester, grades of Withdrawal (W) appear on the transcript for courses in which the student was enrolled. A student who is granted a leave of absence and wishes to return to the Law School must submit a Re-entry Application to the Office of Registration and Student Records Management, along with a $20 re-entry fee and a $100 seat deposit, no later than 90 days prior to the start of the semester for which they are re-entering. Students should make an appointment to meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before re-entering.

Transcripts will indicate any semesters for which a student was granted a leave of absence.

Inactive Status

Continuing students who have not registered by the end of the first week of the semester will be automatically withdrawn from the Law School and will be deemed “inactive.” Students who fail to register for one semester, or seek re-entry following Academic Dismissal, must be approved for re-admission by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Academic Standing Committee, where applicable. (Also see “Leave of Absence.”) Application for re-entry must be filed with the Office of Registration and Student Records Management 60 days prior to the first day of classes.

Pregnancy Policy

CUNY School of Law does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student’s doctor, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students needing assistance can seek accommodations from the Office of Student Affairs (contact Patricia Kennedy, room 5-115, tel. 718-340-4380) or the Title IX Coordinator (contact Raquel Gabriel, room 6-107, tel. 718-340-4249).

Students are strongly advised to consult the Office of Academic Affairs at (718) 340-4370, to assess the effect of any leave on academic attendance requirements provided in Standard 304 of the ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools and Section 520.3 of the New York Court of Appeals Rules on Law Study.

Students in the Military

The following policies apply to students who leave CUNY to fulfill military obligations:

I. Students called up to the reserves or drafted before the end of the semester.

A. Grades. In order to obtain a grade, a student must attend 13 weeks (5 weeks for summer session).

B. Refunds. A student called up to the reserves or drafted who does not attend for a sufficient time to qualify for a grade is entitled to a 100% refund of tuition and all other fees, except application fees.

II. Students who volunteer (enlist) for the military.

A. Grades. Same provision as for students called up to the reserves. In order to obtain a grade, a student must attend 13 weeks (5 weeks for summer session).

B. Refunds. The amount of the refund depends upon whether the withdrawal is before the fifth week of classes:

1. Withdrawal before the beginning of the fifth calendar week (third calendar week for summer session): 100% refund of tuition and all other fees, except application fees.

2. Withdrawal thereafter: 50% refund.

III. Other provisions for military service.
A. Resident Tuition Rates. These lower rates are applicable to all members of the armed services, their spouses, and their dependent children, on full-time active duty and stationed in the State of New York.

B. Re-enrollment of Veterans. Veterans who are returning students are given preferred treatment in the following ways:

1. Veterans who were former students with unsatisfactory scholastic records may be readmitted with a probationary program.

2. Veterans, upon their return, may register, even after normal registration periods, without late fees.

3. Granting of college credit for military service and armed forces instructional courses.

4. Veterans returning too late to register may audit classes without charge.

C. Late Admissions. Veterans with no previous college experience are permitted to file applications up to the date of registration and are allowed to begin classes, pending completion of their application and provision of supporting documents.

D. Readmission Fee. Upon return from military service, a student will not be charged a Readmission Fee to register at the same college.

E. Veterans’ Tuition Deferrals. Veterans are entitled to defer the payment of tuition, pending receipt of veterans’ benefits.