Return from Hospitalization

Return from Hospitalization 

A student who is hospitalized—voluntarily or involuntarily— because of a physical or mental health matter may wish to take a medical leave from Bowdoin to recover. If so, the student should contact their student dean and follow the Voluntary Medical Leave process.

Return to Campus from Hospitalization

Eligibility for discharge from the hospital does not equate to readiness to return to campus. If a student is medically discharged from a hospital and does not wish to take a medical leave, that student must be evaluated within 24 hours from that discharge by Bowdoin’s Counseling Services or Health Services to discuss their readiness to return to campus and re-engage in the life of the College. In extreme circumstances where there is a high level of concern, a student may be required to remain off campus during this period of evaluation.

While the College will make every effort to move swiftly, students should be aware that this evaluative process can take up to a week and it may involve a student engaging in multiple meetings with Counseling or Health staff as well as consideration of other pertinent factors, including the student’s ability to successfully make-up missed academic work and the student’s impact on the community.

If the individualized evaluation and assessment determine that the student may require more support than they can receive while engaged in an educational and residential setting, the College may discuss with the student a voluntary medical leave of absence. This will allow the student to attend to their health and well-being during a concentrated period of recuperation.

If the student is unwilling to take, or unable to execute a voluntary medical leave, the Involuntary Medical Leave process may be followed.

Notification to the Family

The College will follow all applicable laws related to student privacy, but notes that the College administration may, consistent with federal law, contact a student’s emergency contact(s) or family members directly in cases involving serious health and safety concerns, and/or hospitalization.