Ringling College of Art and Design strives to provide a safe and supportive environment in which all students are free to pursue their academic and social development. At times, a student can collaboratively decide that an acute mental health concern is present which necessitates more intensive treatment than can be obtained while a full-time student and maintaining the rigors of our academic program.
Medical Withdrawals allow a student to leave the institution for a period of time to address a physical or mental health need without penalty to their GPA. A withdrawal includes the remainder of the semester and the following semester. A student is not guaranteed entrance back into their program upon return.
A Medical Withdrawal may be highly encouraged if any of the following situations arise:
- A student has a medical or psychological problem, which cannot be properly treated in the college setting.
- A student engages in any behaviors, or there is reason to suspect student has an elevated risk of engaging in behaviors, that threaten or could cause bodily harm to self or others.
- A student engages in any behaviors, or there is reason to suspect student has an elevated risk of engaging in behaviors, that seriously interferes with the student’s ability to function and/or interferes with or in any way disrupts the educational pursuits of other members of the Ringling College of Art and Design community.
- While a matriculated student, it is the student’s responsibility to comply with all treatment recommendations and where insufficient treatment options exist on campus, the Peterson Counseling Center will work with a student to identify and obtain community treatment to manage their health needs.
Once a student decides to take a Medical Withdrawal they have 30 days to establish with a licensed, qualified off campus health professional who has evaluated the student and submits paperwork regarding initial assessment and treatment plan. The Associate Dean/Director of Health and Wellness, or designee, makes the final decision regarding approval of a Medical Withdrawal for health reasons.
When a student is ready to return to school they will send the Associate Dean/Director of Health and Wellness, or Designee, a completed Provider Report Form validating readiness to return to school.
Students who take a Medical Withdrawal for psychological health reasons should participate fully in the process. This includes meeting with an off campus Mental Health Provider to complete a Provider Report Form within 30 days of the date of the medical withdrawal and again no less than 30 days prior to the start of classes during any following term for which the student intends to re-apply. Readmission after any form of medical or non-medical withdrawal is not guaranteed. Failure to follow timelines, recommendations, or submit sufficient documentation of post-treatment stability and ability to function as a student in an academic community environment may result in an unsuccessful application for readmission.
When the student is ready to return to Ringling College of Art and Design, the student must arrange for the health professional who has evaluated or treated them to forward a copy of the Provider Report Form to the Associate Dean/Director of Health Services or designee stating that the student is qualified to return as a student and that their presence at the College does not pose a threat to the health or safety of self or others. The report submitted by the health professional should be comprehensive and must include the Provider Report Form. Telephone calls or brief letters simply indicating that the student has received treatment will not be sufficient and will delay the return process. The student’s continued participation with the recommendation from the health care provider will be monitored by the Peterson Counseling Center clinical staff.