Leaves of Absence and Returns
This information applies only to continuing students. Entering first-year or transfer students should refer to the Admissions website and contact your Admissions rep if you have questions.
Barnard students who are considering taking a leave of absence should work with Kassie Gillis-Harry, who serves as the College's Case Manager. Here is some general information about leaves of absence, but for specific questions, contact Kassie: schedule an appointment or email leavesandreturns@barnard.edu.
- Leave of Absence
- If a situation or opportunity arises in which a student, in conversation with their adviser, the Case Manager, and/or the Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising, decides that they would like to take a leave of absence from a semester of coursework and for an extended time, the student may opt for a general Leave of Absence, or a Medical/Mental Health Leave of Absence, depending on the nature of the leave.
- The student must make an appointment with the Case Manager or the Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising to discuss their specific situation and to review the terms of a leave of absence. Degree progress and financial aid implications should be considered as part of a decision to withdraw.
- Required leave
- Please note: General Leaves or Medical/Mental Health Leaves are not the same as a required leave, in which a student is required to leave the college for a year or a semester due to lack of satisfactory academic progress.
- Students required to leave due to academic performance are notified of their separation from the college by the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing, and have slightly different requirements for return. All leaves of absence are noted by the College in a student's permanent educational record. The date of the leave will occur in the transcript if the leave occurred during a semester in progress. The leave begins on the date the student last attended class.
Case Manager Kassie Gillis-Harry
About Me
I was born and raised in New Jersey, where I spent my life and completed much of my schooling: I received my BA in Psychology and Sociology from Montclair State University. It wasn’t until 2017 when I decided to move to Chicago, where I lived for five years. During that time, I worked at Loyola University Chicago as a Research Assistant and as a Project Coordinator at The University of Illinois Chicago. After working in different labs across Chicago, I decided that I wanted to apply to graduate school, and ended up earning my Masters of Science in Community Psychology in from DePaul University in 2022. As a part of my graduate school experience, I served as both a Graduate Student Advisor and Graduate Research Assistant where I worked with students in need of additional support.
After my time in Chicago, I am thrilled to be back on the east coast and even more excited to be part of the Barnard team. As the College Case Manager and Leaves & Returns Coordinator, I am the point person for any student contemplating going on leave, or returning from leave. I am also available to offer any support related to leaves of absence.
In my free time, I love to spend time with my family, friends, and my dog, Valentina. On any given day, you can find me either outside skateboarding and attempting new tricks or inside curled up with a good book and singing along to records from my vinyl collection.
Leave of Absence and Returns: Key Information and Dates
| Type of Leave |
Case Manager Meeting |
Notice of Leave of Absence Form |
Medical and Mental Health Leave of Absence Form |
Campus Housing Cancellation Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Personal |
✓ |
✓ | If applicable you can find the form here | |
| Medical/Mental Health | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | If applicable you can find the form here |
| Things to know |
Set up a meeting when interested on taking a leave. Note: Meeting needs to occur in order to gain access to the notice of leave of absence form. |
You can submit the form at any point, whether that is during or at the end of a semester, to indicate when you would like to take a leave of absence. |
Submit within 30 days of the student's departure. | Refer to the link above for form dates. |
|
Type of Leave |
Intent to Return Form |
Request to Return Form |
Case Manager Meeting |
Medical and Mental Health Form |
Written evidence that you have complied with all conditions specified for your return |
Requesting Housing Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Personal |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | If applicable you can find the form here | ||
|
Medical/Mental Health |
✓ |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | If applicable you can find the form here | |
| Required Leave | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | If applicable you can find the form here | |
|
Things to know |
Submit if your Barnard login credentials are not active. |
For a Spring return: November 1 For a Summer return: March 1 For a Fall return: June 1 |
Set up required meeting when interested on returning from a leave. |
For a Spring return: November 1 For a Summer return: March 1 For a Fall return: June 1 |
e.g.: official transcripts, summer approval forms, etc. and employment verification letter on letterhead, W2 forms, etc., to the Registrar. |
For a Spring return: November 1 For a Fall return: June 1 |