Page 69 - Smith College Student Handbook 16-17

Policies, Procedures & Guidelines
Withdrawal and Return to the College
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Withdrawal during the Semester
A student may choose to withdraw during the semester because of an unexpected opportunity or because her capacity to function in an
academic environment is compromised to the extent that she cannot meet the academic requirements for her classes and/or reside safely on
campus. Whatever the reason for withdrawal, the student will be expected to remain away from the college for the semester following her
withdrawal from the college.

If the student withdraws from the college within the first five weeks of the semester (the add-drop deadline), she may be granted an additional
semester in which to complete the degree or she may be required to earn credit while away from the college.

If a student withdraws after the completion of the fifth week, an additional semester will normally not be granted, except under exceptional
circumstances.

All withdrawals during the semester for any reason are reviewed by the Administrative Board which may imposed conditions in order to the
student to be eligible for readmission.

Voluntary Medical Withdrawal during the Semester
A student may request a medical withdrawal during the semester should she determine that she cannot fulfill the academic requirements for
her classes and/or a documented medical condition makes it difficult successfully to complete the semester.

The request to withdraw must be made in writing to a Class Dean, the Director or the Associate Director of Health Services, or the Director
of Counseling Services.

Required Withdrawal during the Semester
The Director or Associate Director of Health Services or the Dean of Students may convene a confidential Evaluation Committee to require
a student to withdraw during the semester when the student

 presents a substantial risk of harm to self or others or fails to carry out substantial self-care obligations, or
 significantly disrupts the educational or other activities of the college community, or
 is unable to participate meaningfully in educational activities, or
 requires a level of care from the college community which exceeds the resources and staffing that the college can reasonably be
expected to provide for the student’s well-being.

Evaluation Committee
The members of the Evaluation Committee may include

 the Dean of Students,
 the Director of Schacht Center for Health and Wellness,
 the Associate Director of Medical Services and/or Counseling Services,
 the student’s Class Dean
 the Director of Disability Services
 The EC may request that a representative from Class Deans, Residence Life or another area of the College present information
about the student’s experience
 Other administrators may be added to the Evaluation Committee if expertise is needed that is not already represented on the
Evaluation Committee.

The Evaluation Committee may ask the student (and if appropriate, the family) to participate in the review by inviting them to make a brief
written or oral statement.

The Evaluation Committee has access to the student’s medical or educational records as required for an appropriate review. A representative
from Medical or Counseling Services may share information regarding the student’s health on an as needed basis. The information shared may
include hospital records if the student has been hospitalized, or other information from outside providers, or internal evaluations.

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