FAQs

The Re-Enrollment Committee is primarily composed of the Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Support, the Assistant Director of Academic Support, the Dean of Student Success, the Registrar, and the Class Deans in consultation with other BMC faculty and staff on a case-by-case basis for each individual student’s situation and application.

The Re-Enrollment Committee may consult with:

• The Dean of Student Life
• The Assistant Director of Student Support Services
• The Director of Counseling
• The Health Services Director
• Student Accounts
• Financial Aid
• Access Services
• Residential Life and Student Engagement
• Major Advisors and/or Major Department (for students with declared majors)

There are three (3) short answer responses required for all students applying for re-enrollment. These questions include discussing what led to the decision to return from your time away, an academic plan for when you return, and how you will maintain personal supports following return. Additionally, students reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing prior to their leave of absence will be asked to answer a question about how they met the expectations prescribed by the committee.

These questions should be answered within 200 words. If students would like to submit additional information, including a personal essay, letters of support from supervisors/employers or faculty, et cetera, to be included in their application for the Re-Enrollment Committee’s review, these materials should be emailed to reenrollment@brynmawr.edu.

Students are required to first meet with the Assistant Director of Academic Support in a Re-Enrollment Consultation as part of the re-enrollment procedures. This is a great time for students to ask any questions they may have and get clarification on what action steps they need to take before submitting their application. Follow up questions can be emailed to reenrollment@brynmawr.edu and someone in the Office of Academic Support will answer them typically within 2 business days. 

Additionally, students may need to consult with their major advisors or someone from their major department (if they are declared or intend to switch to a new major) or their class dean about their academic plan. Students can also schedule a meeting with an RS mentor for support and guidance from the student perspective.

Students should schedule a Re-Enrollment Consultation if they're unsure what type of leave they are on and how to best meet their expectations for return.

Email reenrollment@brynmawr.edu or academicsupport@brynmawr.edu to clarify if you were reviewed by CAS and/or to get a copy of the letter that was sent to you before you took your leave.

There is a requirement to receive care while away on a health leave, either from a medical or psychological healthcare provider. However, the Health Services Director and the Director of Counseling are available to consult with students go offer clarification and guidance on how to show evidence of care while away to satisfy this expectation for return from a health leave.

• If you addressed a physical health condition or symptoms during your leave, contact Beth Kotarski, the Health Services Director. Email bkotarski@brynmawr.edu

• If you addressed a mental health condition or symptoms during your leave, contact Luci MacNamara, the Director of Counseling. Email lmacnamara@brynmawr.edu 

I am not looking to make any changes to my previous accommodations: 

• Please schedule a brief update meeting with Access Services (AccessServices@brynmawr.edu). 

I am looking to make changes to my previous accommodations: 

• Please contact Access Services immediately to schedule an intake appointment. 

• Please review our documentation guidelines (linked HERE). You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your modification request. 

It is best to complete this process as soon as possible. We recommend connecting with Access Services in June or July (for fall start) or in November or December (for spring start). However, you may request accommodations at any time. 

• Consider completing a voluntary disclosure form found online (linked HERE). 

• Email Access Services with several days and times that you are available for an intake appointment (M-Th 9am-4pm ET). 

• Review our documentation guidelines (linked HERE) to see what documentation may be needed to support your request. 

All residential accommodation requests must be COMPLETED by June 15 for a fall start and by December 1 for a spring start. 

• I am not looking to make any changes to my previous accommodations: 

• Please schedule a brief update meeting with Access Services (AccessServices@brynmawr.edu).  

• I am looking to make changes to my previous accommodations: 

• Please contact Access Services immediately to schedule an intake appointment. 

• Please review our documentation guidelines (linked HERE). You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your modification request. 

All residential accommodation requests must be COMPLETED by June 15 for a fall start and by December 1 for a spring start. 

• Consider completing a voluntary disclosure form found online (linked HERE). 

• Email Access Services with several days and times that you are available for an intake appointment (M-Th 9am-4pm ET) and ask for a Request for Modifications in Residential Life form to complete. 

• Review our documentation guidelines (linked HERE) to see what documentation may be needed to support your request. 

Regardless of the type of leave, students are expected and required to be away a minimum of one (1) full semester away.

Students who go on a leave of absence after the semester has begun will not be eligible to return from the leave in the next semester; they will be away for the duration of the current semester and for the full semester after. For example, if students go on a leave in October, they are not eligible to return from leave until the fall semester of the next academic year. If a student leaves in March, they’re not eligible to return from leave until the spring semester of the next academic year.

After a student's notice of departure is processed by the class dean or a staff member from the Office of Academic Support, the Registrar's Office will process the student's leave in Bionic. When this goes into effect, the student's onecard will be deactivated, meaning that the student will no longer have swipe access into residence halls or an active meal plan. Students are typically expected to move out of their dorm rooms within a few days of the NOD being processed.

Students who are unable to fully move out of their dorm room before their onecard is deactivated can make arrangements with Campus Safety and the Office of Residential Life and Student Engagement to be let into the residence hall and gain access to their dorm room to move out any remaining belongings. 

After moving their belongings out of their room, students can return their room key to Campus Safety in the Ward building. 

Students on leave are encouraged to keep in touch with deans, BMC staff and faculty members, supervisors at on-campus jobs, and other students while they are on leaves of absence. Students may stay in touch with them via email, virtual meetings, phone calls, and/or text. Students are also welcome to visit campus as a guest and participate in public Bryn Mawr events, such as sports games, performances, and graduation celebrations. 

Students may schedule one (1) Impactful Time Away Consultation with the Office of Academic Support per month while on leave, and the Office of Academic Support will regularly send out emails with information about what’s happening at Bryn Mawr to students while away. Students can opt-into these communications after their initial Impactful Time Away Consultation that is required for all students as they plan to take a leave and/or shortly after they go on leave.

It is important to note that students on leaves are not eligible to participate in supports, programs, and events that are designed for actively enrolled students, like funding and internship opportunities, summer housing, or on-campus student employment.

Dean Rachel Heiser is the dean assigned to all students while on their leave of absence. She is available to meet with you to answer any advising questions you may have. Additionally, students are encouraged to consult with their class deans and their major advisors regarding their general academic and major requirements and planning.