3.9 Leave of Absence

Regular Leave of Absence
A Regular Leave is intended to allow students to meet family, travel or employment responsibilities or plans and circumstances not covered by the Parental or Medical/Compassionate leaves. At the request of a graduate student, the Head of the student's department may recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that a student be granted a leave of absence for a period of time not to exceed one year. While on leave of absence, a student would not be expected to maintain study and/or thesis research work. Students on Regular Leave of Absences will be required to maintain continuous registration and pay the appropriate Re-Registration Fee. If a student has Program Fees (as opposed to Re-Registration Fees) owing at the time of the granting of the Leave, the Program Fees will be deferred until the student returns from leave, however, the Re-Registration Fee will be levied.* A Regular Leave of Absence status does not extend the time limits as outlined in the Faculty regulations.

*Program Fees: The Re-Registration Fee in effect at the time of the granting of the leave will be levied. However, if the student returns from leave in January, the normal Program Fee will be levied less the Re-Registration Fee already paid.

Exceptional Leave of Absence
In exceptional circumstances for medical or compassionate reasons (e.g. the need to care for an ailing relative), at the request of the graduate student, the Head of the student's department may recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that a student be granted an exceptional leave of absence for a period of time not to exceed one year. While on leave of absence for exceptional reasons, a student would not be expected to maintain study and/or thesis research work, would not be required to maintain continuous registration, nor pay the Re-Registration fee. In addition, the leave period would not be included in the time period allowed for the completion of the degree. This leave is not intended to cover circumstances related to travel, employment or other financial concerns.

Fees: Any unpaid Program Fees will be deferred for a year for an exceptional leave of 8-12 months which begins in September. Half Program Fees will be charged for all other exceptional leaves (i.e., 8-12 month leaves beginning in January or shorter leaves beginning in either September or January). No Re-Registration Fees will be assessed during the leave period, but will be payable in full if the student returns from leave before the end of the regular term.

Parental Leave
A graduate student who is bearing a child or who has primary responsibility of the care of an infant or young child immediately following a birth or adoption of a child is eligible for parental leave. The request should be made through the student's department, normally for a leave of four to twelve months. Leaves of other duration will be considered on an individual basis. Where possible, students doing course work should coordinate their requests with the beginning of an academic term. While on leave of absence for parental reasons, a student would not be expected to maintain study and/or thesis research work. The leave period is not included in the time period allowed for completion of the degree.

Fees: Program Fees will be deferred for a year for a parental leave of 8-12 months which begins in September. Half Program Fees will be charged for all other Parental leaves (i.e., 8-12 months leaves beginning in January or shorter leaves beginning in either September or January). No Re-Registration Fees will be assessed during the leave period, but will be payable in full if the student returns from leave before the end of the regular term.