Student Handbook

• If the requested leave is during the first three years of study, the student will normally be required to take leave for an entire year unless an alternative plan is approved by the dean. • Leave during the fourth year may be granted for one or more quarters. The student will be required to make up the quarter(s) during the next academic year. Make-ups will be overseen by the Department of Clinical Education, and specifically by the fourth year IOR or director of externships depending upon whether external rotations were missed.

The dean will give final approval for the leave and will contact the registrar once the plan has been finalized.

For graduate students: 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 behavior 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

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