Student Handbook

Petitions for leave of absence from graduate students must include a detailed plan approved by the associate dean for graduate studies and research.

Involuntary Leave of Absence

Involuntary leaves of absence may be imposed by the College in accordance with the Involuntary Leave of Absence policy issued by the SUNY Board of Trustees, accessible at this link: https://www.sunyopt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Involuntary-Leave-of-Absence-July 2024.pdf. The College will not impose an involuntary leave of absence lightly, and will only do so when current medical knowledge and the best available objective evidence indicates that there is a significant risk to the student’s health or safety, or the health or safety of others in the College community, or where the student’s b ehavior severely disrupts the College environment, and no reasonable accommodation can adequately reduce that risk or disruption. Religious Observances Policy The SUNY College of Optometry respects the rights of individuals to observe their religious beliefs. Faculty, staff or students will be excused from classes and UEC clinics for religious observances in accordance with New York State Education Law, Article 5 Section 224-a. Excused absence from clinic for religious observances requires advance notice to the appropriate UEC Service Chief at the beginning of the term to facilitate coverage and rescheduling. For academic courses, faculty must notify their Department Chair and students must notify the Instructor of Record at the beginning of the term so that examinations and other assignments will not be scheduled on religious holidays if possible. Students are always responsible for any missed material, requirements, labs or clinics and must ensure that any missed examinations or assignments are excused and made up. Faculty and Service Chiefs must make reasonable and equitable accommodations to students when assignments are made up. Faculty must take vacation leave for missed days. New York State Education Law, Article 5 Section 224-a. Students unable because of religious beliefs to register or attend classes on certain days. 1) No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student to an institution of higher education for the reason that they are unable, because of their religious beliefs, to register or attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirements on a particular day or days. 2) Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements. 3) It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school,

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