When you decide that it is the right time for you to return to your studies, your Student Case Manager will be available to support you throughout the process. The return to studies expectations and process are outlined in the letter that you received initiating the Leave. 

Step 1: Submit a request to return to studies. 

To initiate the process to return to studies, you will need to send a written request (by email) to the Vice-Provost, Students. You may send the request directly to the Vice-Provost, Students or send it through your Student Case Manager. The request can be as simple as “Dear [name of SCM], I want to return to studies at the University and am ready to initiate the return to studies process.” This request must be submitted at least 30 days before the start of the term in which you wish to return. 

If you wish to, you can also include, with your initial request, or in the course of the return to studies process, other information explaining why you and/or your care team feel you are ready to return to studies. You can also include information showing that the terms and conditions of your Leave have been met. In many cases, the Vice Provost, Students will already have some of this information, or it will be provided through the psychiatric risk assessment described in Step 2 below. You can talk to your Student Case Manager about what to include in your request. 

Step 2: Complete a psychiatric risk assessment. 

In many cases, the University will request that you consent to a psychiatric risk assessment to ensure that you are well enough to return to studies and no longer pose a risk to other members of the community. If you consent, the University will make all necessary arrangements and cover any financial costs.  If you would prefer to arrange for your own assessment, or if you have relevant information from a personal clinician, or other supportive resource, you may submit it for consideration at any point, and you are encouraged to do so. 

It takes time to coordinate the assessment and review all the information to make a decision about a student’s readiness to return.  While the University will make every effort to complete this process as quickly as possible, we cannot guarantee that the psychiatric risk assessment process, if facilitated by the University, will be completed within 30 days. 

Step 3: Meet with your Student Case Manager to discuss your return-to-studies plan. 

If your return to studies request is approved, a return to studies plan will be designed to address your specific individual needs.  We want to ensure that you are equipped with all the necessary support and resources to facilitate your transition back to the University community and your academic studies.  

Your return to studies plan may include the need to connect with various University and/or community services and resources to help facilitate your return. In some cases, you may initially be required to take a reduced course load upon your return.  Your Student Case Manager will arrange for meetings with any relevant University services to plan for your return, such as Accessibility Services and/or your Registrar, and they will work with you to address any academic issues that may have been outstanding at the time your Leave began. 

At any point during the return to studies process you may choose to pause your request if you change your mind and feel you are not yet ready to return.  In such circumstances, please contact your Student Case Manager. 

Please refer to Section VI. of the Supportive Leaves Policy for additional information about the return to studies process.