Preparing for returning from MLOA 

What was hard about returning was adapting to being in the WashU environment and finding balance. It was hard to find the right balance of self-care and work. I had to constantly remind myself that if I tried to do everything, I would probably end up crashing. It took a while for me to stop feeling guilty for taking the time I needed for myself to stay healthy both physically and emotionally, especially during my first weeks back at WashU

Initiating your return from MLOA

To initiate your return from MLOA, it is important that you have information about the process of returning from a leave. Please review the steps below. A leave case manager is available to meet with you as you begin exploring a return to WashU.

In order to resume study at Washington University, the student will be asked to demonstrate that the condition that caused them to take a leave has resolved sufficiently to allow resumption of studies.  The duration of the leave should correspond with an appropriate recovery time associated with the issues for which the leave was initiated. The MLOA Committee may request additional information or documentation to establish your fitness to return to your studies at Washington University.

Please note the following:

• To ensure that our office has the most up-to-date information about your time away, return requests will not be accepted before the below dates.
  • Fall Return: Documents can be submitted starting on May 15, with the official window being open from June 1- July 1.
  • Spring Return: Documents can be submitted starting on October 15, with the official window being open November 1- December 1.
• Requests to return that are submitted later than the recommended deadlines will be postponed until a later semester.
• If using email, be aware that it is not necessarily a confidential method of communication.

Please contact the Leave Case Manager if you have questions about the timeline. 

Steps to return from MLOA

Step 1. Request to return

To begin your request to return, please complete a request in Workday, following the below instructions to get started.

1. Log in to Workday: Use your student credentials to access the Workday system.
2. Create a Request: In the search bar, type “Create Request” and select the appropriate task.
3. Select Request Type: Choose the “Return from Leave of Absence” or a similar option.
4. Complete the Form: Fill out the required information, which may include the date you’re returning, reasons for your return, and any supporting documentation. We encourage limiting your response in Workday and adding more detail in the personal statement you will submit with your application. Apologies, on behalf of the university for the process duplication.
5. Submit: Submit your request and monitor your Workday inbox for updates and approval. You will not see many updates in WD until the entire reinstatement process is complete.

After you’ve submitted your request in Workday, please email the Leave Case Manager to connect to begin exploring your return to the university. During this meeting, you will review reinstatement guidelines, policies, and expectations. The goal of this meeting is to help you begin exploring a holistic plan for maintaining your health and well-being as you return to WashU.

Step 2. Documentation of Readiness to Return

Please submit the following documentation to the Leave Case Manager by email or fax: 314-970-9093. Please make sure you have all of the below forms submitted to ensure your application to return is complete.

• Complete the MLOA Personal Statement
• Provider Documentation of Readiness to Return from each provider that you worked with while on MLOA
  • Provider documentation must be in English and/or on letterhead and translated by a licensed professional translation service
• Release of Information from each provider that you have worked with while on MLOA

Eating disorders

For students returning from MLOA due to an eating disorder, the following additional information is required from the student’s health care provider:

• Complete history of the eating disorder (with explanation of severity of behaviors)
• Report of physical exam completed by a physician within the past month.
• Height and weight parameters and vital signs for the last 3-6 months (depending on duration of leave)
• EKG and labs: CMP, CBC, amylase, urinalysis, magnesium, and phosphorus completed within the past 30 days (preferred) – 60 days (acceptable).

Athletics

Student athletes returning from MLOA may be asked to undergo an evaluation by a team physician and/or an additional healthcare provider designated by the university at the university’s expense.

Step 3. Review of Materials and Recommendation

After a student has submitted all of the required documentation, this paperwork will be disclosed to the MLOA Committee for review.

The MLOA committee will consult as a team to determine a student’s readiness for return. The committee makes a recommendation to a student’s school/program, who will then make the final decision of either (1) a student is ready to reinstate or (2) postponement of a student’s return. Please note: a student’s reinstatement form and/or their personal statement are also shared with the student’s designated school official as part of the process.

Any communication regarding the final decision will come to a student’s email directly from their school or program.

MLOA reinstatement checklist

Feel free to use the below checklist to help ensure you have all the required documentation and forms submitted for your reinstatement application.

Your first semester back 

Many services are available to support students’ health and well-being while on campus.