Leaves of Absence

Leaves of Absence

General Leave Information

HBS has several classifications for leaves of absence from the MBA Program that are either “voluntary” or “involuntary” as detailed below. Regardless of the leave type, leaves of absence may last up to five years from the date the leave was confirmed, without the possibility of extension.

If you are preparing for a leave, you should consider this information carefully and review the process for returning to campus, financial responsibilities, and other details specific to your individual circumstances related to the leave. Transcripts ordinarily do not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary leaves of absence, but a notation that you have withdrawn will be included to indicate a leave was taken. Financial obligations are consistent regardless of the leave type.

Voluntary Leaves

Students who wish to interrupt their studies at any time before graduation may request a leave of absence. Requests for a leave of absence may be granted by the Registrar in consultation with other officers of the University, as appropriate. With respect to a voluntary leave of absence for medical reasons, the Executive Director of the MBA Program ordinarily will consult with Harvard University Health Services (which may consider information from the student’s current and/or former health care providers, if made available by the student).

Involuntary Leaves

Under certain circumstances, a student may be placed on an involuntary leave of absence. An involuntary leave of absence is not a disciplinary sanction. However, an incident that gives rise to a leave of absence, whether voluntary or involuntary, may subsequently be the basis for disciplinary action. A student who prefers to take a voluntary leave of absence for medical reasons rather than to be placed on an involuntary leave of absence for medical reasons is ordinarily allowed to do so. Transcripts do not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary leaves of absence.

An involuntary leave of absence may be required for the following reasons:.

  1. Medical circumstances: (a) The student’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of any person, or has seriously disrupted others in the student’s residential community or academic environment; and (b) either the student’s threatening, self-destructive, or disruptive behavior is determined to be the result of a medical condition or the student has refused to cooperate with efforts by Harvard University Health Services to determine the cause of the behavior. The decision to place a student on an involuntary leave of absence for health related reasons is made in consultation with Harvard University Health Services (which may consider information from the student’s current and/or former health care providers, if made available by the student), after an individualized assessment of all of the pertinent factors, such as: the nature of the student’s conduct; the nature, duration and severity of the risk; the likelihood of potential injury; and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices or procedures will mitigate the risk. However, reasonable modifications do not include changes that would fundamentally alter the academic program or unduly burden the School’s resources or staffing capabilities or, with respect to the required level of care or monitoring, that would exceed the standard of care that a university health service can be expected to provide.
  2. Alleged criminal behavior: The student has been arrested on allegations of serious criminal behavior or has been charged with such behavior by law enforcement authorities.
  3. Risk to the community. The student has been charged with a violation of a disciplinary rule of the School, and his or her presence on campus poses a significant risk to the safety of others or to the educational environment of the community.
  4. Indebtedness: The student’s term bill is unpaid and the student has not made arrangements acceptable to the School to address the issue.
  5. Failure to provide medical documentation of required immunizations.
  6. Unfulfilled academic requirements. The student has not met an academic requirement and has not taken steps acceptable to the School to meet the requirement.
  7. Failure to register. The student has not registered as required at the beginning of each term.


The decision to place a student on involuntary leave is made by the Managing Director, MBA Student & Academic Services and RC or EC Faculty Chair in consultation with other officers of the University, as appropriate. As noted above, in the case of an involuntary leave of absence for medical reasons, the School will consult with an appropriate person at Harvard University Health Services.

A student is notified in writing that he or she has been placed on involuntary leave. The student may petition the Executive Director and the MBA Program Faculty Chair for reconsideration and may appeal a final decision to the Dean of the School.

Leaves Due to Voluntary or Involuntary Military Service

In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Harvard Business School (HBS) will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a uniformed service obligation. This policy shall apply to:

  1. Service members who are unable to attend classes for more than 30 consecutive days due to required military service
  2. Service members who are unable to attend classes for less than 30 days due to required military service when such an absence would result in a withdrawal from the school


A student is eligible for readmission under this policy if, during an absence, the student performs uniformed service, voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserve, active duty, active duty for training or full-time National Guard under Federal authority (but not State authority).

A student must provide orders, or written notice by Commanding Officer, of a Uniformed Service Obligation, such as Temporary Duty (TDY), etc., to the HBS Registrar’s Office or designee as far in advance as possible, unless precluded by military necessity. Such notice does not need to indicate when the student will return to HBS.

The cumulative length of all absences for uniformed service (service time only) must not exceed five (5) years. The student must give oral or written notice of Intent to Return to HBS within three (3) years after the completion of the period of service. Immediately upon the student's return to school, the student must provide notice that he/she may be entitled to the tuition and enrollment benefits outlined in this policy. For a service member who is hospitalized for or convalescing from an illness or injury incurred in, or aggravated during, the performance of service, notice must be provided not later than two (2) years after the end of the period that is necessary for recovery from such illness or injury.

A returning student must be charged the same tuition and fees in effect during the last academic year the student attended unless veterans' education benefits or other service member education benefits will pay the amount in excess. For subsequent academic years, the returning student may not be charged tuition and fees more than what other students in the program are charged.

Once intent to return notification has been given to HBS, a returning student will be permitted to reenroll. Because of the cumulative nature of the first-year MBA curriculum, returning students who left HBS during the first year of the MBA Program will be required to re-enter the program in the same term (fall or spring) in which they were enrolled at the time of their departure. For example, first-year MBA students who were enrolled in the fall term at the time of their departure will be required to reenroll at the beginning of a future fall term and cannot reenter into a spring term. The student may reenter the program at the start of the next appropriate term after providing their intent to return or they may request a later date of reenrollment. Returning students who left HBS during the second year of the MBA Program will be able to reenroll at the start of the next upcoming term unless the student requests a later date of reenrollment. A returning student will be readmitted into the same academic program the student was enrolled in prior to the military service obligation. If the exact program no longer exists, the student must be admitted to the program that is most similar, unless the student requests or agrees to admission to a different program. Returning students will be reenrolled with the same enrollment status, number of completed credit hours, and academic standing as the last academic year of attendance.

If a student fails to provide notice of intent to return within the applicable time period set forth in this policy, the student does not automatically forfeit their eligibility for readmission. The student’s ability to return then becomes subject to the institutions’ established leave of absence policy and general practices.

If HBS determines that a returning student is not prepared to reenroll in the same academic program with the same academic status or is unable to complete the program, the school must make reasonable efforts to enable the student to resume or complete the program at no additional cost to the student. If such efforts are unsuccessful or place an undue hardship on the school, the school is not required to readmit the student.

In accordance with federal regulations, returning students who receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, or a court marshall from the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves), or a sentence to confinement in a Federal or State penitentiary or correctional institution are not eligible for readmission under this policy.

Important Leave Information

The detailed information that follows is important for your consideration regardless of your leave type.

Students who take a leave in the first two weeks of the term typically are not charged tuition for that term. Policies may vary for other expenses, such as materials fees, housing, and health fees.

Beyond the two week period, students who take an involuntary or voluntary leave will ordinarily be charged tuition according to the following Tuition and Fee Adjustment Calendar, based on the date they confirm their leave of absence in writing to the Registrar's office:

Fall (on or before)

September 15: one-fourth tuition for the term
October 15: one-half
November 15: three-fourths
after November 15: full tuition

Spring (on or before)

After first two weeks of the term, but on or before February 15: Student charged one-fourth tuition for the term
After February 15 but before March 15: Student charged one-half
After March 15 but before April 15: Student charged three-fourths
after April 15: Student charged full tuition

Any student who leaves the University with an amount due on their student bill that is unpaid for 60 days or more may be subject to collection activities. The costs associated with collecting an unpaid account will be added to the student’s outstanding debt and must be paid in full.

Students receiving scholarship or other financial aid should consult MBA Financial Aid concerning the financial implications of going on leave. If a student received financial aid, MBA Financial Aid staff will meet with the student to determine any applicable refunds or financial obligations related to the student’s aid package. If the withdrawing student has received Federal Student Aid (Federal Stafford Loans/Federal Perkins Loans), the Financial Aid Office will return the necessary loan funds to the federal government as required by law.

International students should consult the Harvard International Office concerning their status.

The date a student goes on leave will affect the student's health insurance through Harvard. For details, review the Leave of Absence policy on the HUHSP website, or contact the Student Health Insurance Office, Member Services, at 617-495-2008 or mservices@huhs.harvard.edu.

  • Libraries and other facilities normally may be used only by students who are currently registered.
  • Students on leave may not participate in extracurricular activities. Exceptions to this rule must be specifically approved in advance by the School. If so instructed by the Executive Director or a designee, a student on leave must remain away from the University campus.
  • Students on leave do not have access to the HBS Intranet nor do they remain on section listservs. Ordinarily students on leave will retain email use until their original graduation month, but are encouraged to set up a forward to an external address (forwarding services will also cease at graduation month). The School may determine that it will end email access sooner and will provide advance notice if this is the case. Please check with MBA Program Technology Services regarding forwarding guidelines/options. Although student email may be active, it is our expectation that students on leave will not use the email address to represent themselves as currently enrolled students.

Students going on leave are reminded that all degree candidates, whether currently registered or not, are expected to maintain a satisfactory standard of conduct.

The circumstances under which a student may return to HBS at a later date are contingent upon his or her standing at the time of the leave. In general, the following is true regardless of the nature of the leave:

  • Students must request or petition to return, depending on the leave type, within five years after a leave from the MBA Program is initiated.
  • All conditions set forth in these policies or otherwise required at the time of the leave must be satisfied for the student to return.
  • A returning student may need to fulfill additional course requirements if the Required Curriculum changed sufficiently since the leave was taken.
  • A student in good standing on a voluntary leave of absence ordinarily may return within five years by notifying the Registrar by June 1 of the previous academic year and indicating their preferred term of return. Depending on the overall capacity of the MBA Program, the student may need to wait to return until space in the class is available. It remains the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has adequate time to complete the degree within the time limits established by the School.
  • Students who were not in good standing at the time a voluntary leave of absence was granted and students who were placed on an involuntary leave of absence must petition within five years for permission to return to the School and must demonstrate that the circumstances that led to their leave have been satisfactorily addressed and that they are ready to resume their studies.
  • A student who has not completed Term 1 has no final grades and, therefore, HBS has no basis for determining academic standing. A student in this situation is ordinarily required to reapply for admission to the MBA Program.
  • Students who are placed on leave for academic performance reasons must petition to the Academic Performance Committee in order to return. Otherwise, the decision whether to allow a student to return is made by the MBA Program Chair and Executive Director, in consultation with the Chair of the Conduct Review Board or such other person as the dean designates.

If the leave, whether voluntary or involuntary, was for medical reasons, then the student must petition the Executive Director for permission to return to the School and must demonstrate that the circumstances that led to their leave have been satisfactorily addressed and that they are ready to resume their studies.

In addition, so that the School may conduct an individualized assessment of their circumstances, students on medical leave ordinarily will be required to consult with Harvard University Health Services (and to grant permission to Harvard University Health Services to obtain their treatment records and communicate with their treatment providers) so that a professional assessment about the student’s stability and readiness to return can be shared with the School. Other evidence of the student's readiness to return may include a substantial period of employment or other meaningful engagement, and possibly letters from their employer or other relevant individuals.

Any disciplinary matter must be resolved before a student on leave of absence will be allowed to return and, if the student has been required to withdraw while on leave of absence, then any conditions for return after a required withdrawal also must be satisfied.

Please also note that if the School learns of serious concerns about the health or well-being of a student who is away from School but not on a medical leave of absence, then the School similarly may require the student to consult with Harvard University Health Services (and to grant permission to Harvard University Health Services to obtain their treatment records and communicate with their treatment providers) so that a professional assessment about the student’s stability and readiness to return can be shared with the School. In all such cases, the decision whether to allow a student to return is made by the Executive Director, in consultation with the MBA Program Chair or such other person as the dean designates.

Students returning from a leave who wish to apply for financial aid must notify MBA Financial Aid Services and file the necessary application forms by mid-April for the following fall term, and by October 1 for the following spring term. Late applicants cannot be assured that their aid will be available in time for registration payment deadlines.

Financial aid funds cannot be used to cover a balance from a prior term. A student will not be allowed to register in the University again until all previous term-bill charges have been paid and no loan is in default.

The School may condition a student’s enrollment on certain terms or conditions, as set forth in a written contract between the School and the student, when the student’s conduct or circumstances have caused heightened concerns about the student’s safety and/or well-being and: (a) the appropriateness of the student’s continued enrollment; or (b) the student’s readiness to return to the Harvard community. The contract may include, among other things, compliance with a medical treatment plan, regular consultations with health care professionals, communication with administrators, and limited disclosure of relevant medical information, on a need to know basis, such as compliance with treatment and restrictions on certain activities. The decision to require such a contract is arrived at in consultation with Harvard University Health Services after an individualized assessment of the nature of the student’s conduct and circumstances and any other pertinent factors.

The School may also condition a student’s enrollment on certain terms or conditions, as set forth in a written contract between the School and the student, when, in the School’s view, the student’s conduct or circumstances have caused significant disruption in the student’s residential community or academic environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The detailed information that follows is important for your consideration regardless of your leave type.

What happens to my email address when I am on leave? You will keep your HBS email address until your original graduation date, at which point it will expire. Upon re-enrolling, you will be issued a new HBS email address with your new graduation date in the email domain. If you return from your leave before your original graduation date, your email address will be updated to include the year in which you will graduate in the domain. In either scenario, your previous email address will continue to receive messages and be auto forwarded to your new address.

What happens to my listserv and intranet access? Upon taking a leave, you will be removed from the section and class listservs, and you will no longer have HBS intranet access.

What resources will be available to me while I am on leave?

  • Campus and Facilities: Students on a leave of absence do not have ID card access to campus buildings.
  • Extracurricular activities: Students on a leave of absence are not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities or hold leadership positions in sections or student clubs.
  • Technology: While you are on a leave of absence, you will not have access to the HBS Intranet or remain on section listservs, and you will not have access to any databases or software licenses made available to current students. Although your email address will remain active, it is our expectation that you will not use your email address to represent yourself as a currently enrolled student. Student email domains may be changed in the future to reflect to a new class domain (e.g. class of 2022) depending on individual return timelines and new year of graduation.
  • Rock Center: Students on a leave of absence do not have access to Rock Center resources, including its fellowship programs.
  • Health insurance: You may purchase up to 6 months of extended health insurance through HUSHP. Find more information on the HUHS website.
  • Visa Status: US immigration rules do not allow students on a leave of absence to stay in the US on a student visa. If you are an international student currently located in the US, you will need to leave the US within 15 days of the start of the leave, or apply for a change of status to a tourist status to extend your stay in the US. Any additional questions should be directed to the Harvard International Office.
  • Are there implications to my immigration status if I take a leave?  Yes. Your F-1 or J-1 status requires you to be enrolled in the MBA program. If you are in the United States, you will have 15 days from the date you confirm that you will take a leave to depart the country or change to another visa classification.
  • I am currently in the U.S. doing my internship and am using CPT or Academic Training. What if I decide to take a leave? In order to remain eligible to be paid by your employer, you must maintain your student status. J-1 students should only take a leave after the end date of your Academic Training.  F-1 students should only take a leave after the end date of your CPT.  
  • All international students considering a leave of absence should consult with the HBS Harvard International Office representative.
  • Can I automatically return?  Or do I have to apply or petition to return? You have five years to return to the MBA Program from the date of your departure. For example, if you leave before Spring Term 2021, you need to re-enroll no later than Spring Term 2026. You may initiate your return by submitting a request to the Registrar by June 1 of the previous academic year and indicating your preferred term of return. While we hope to accommodate your preferred return date, we may be constrained in our overall capacity for a given term and, as a result, you may have to wait until space is available. All students are guaranteed that they will be able to re-enroll in the five-year return window.

    IF YOU PLAN TO RETURN BY… YOU MUST NOTIFY US BY…
    Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 June 1, 2021
    Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 June 1, 2022
    Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 June 1, 2023
    Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 June 1, 2024
    Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 June 1, 2025
  • How will EC course registration work when I return?  Will I have priority?  Will I be last in line (after the current RCs)? After following the return process outlined above, you will be re-enrolled by the end of the June before your fall or spring term return so that you can use the EC Toolkit to participate in EC Preregistration as part of the rising EC class. If you inform us of your planned return after June 1, you will no longer have priority and will need to add your EC courses as part of the Add/Drop process when available courses will be more limited.
  • When will I graduate? Harvard University confers degrees in November, March, and May. Students who finish their course work at the end of a fall term in December will have their degree conferred by Harvard University in March. Therefore, the graduation date listed on the diploma will be in March.
  • If I am a March graduate, can I get my diploma early or have it printed with an earlier date? No, HBS cannot provide verification that a degree was awarded until the degree has been conferred by Harvard University. If you are in need of documentation regarding the fulfillment of your degree requirements before degrees are conferred, please email registrar@hbs.edu to discuss your options.
  • Can I participate in a graduation ceremony? Yes. If you are finishing the MBA Program at any other time than in May you are welcome to participate in the next May graduation ceremony following your degree conferral.
  • If I don't graduate with my original class, what about future reunions? Upon your graduation, you may choose the class you wish to be affiliated with for future reunions.
  • When do I apply for financial aid if I take a leave and re-enroll to complete my EC year? Any financial aid package will be withdrawn and you will apply for financial aid in the spring before you plan to enroll at HBS for your EC. If you received a Complementary scholarship during the RC such as the Canadian Fellowship, Forward Fellowship, Life Science Fellowship, you will receive your second year of funding when you return provided you submit any required application materials at that time.
  • What will happen to my existing student loans if I defer my EC year? MBA Financial Aid will connect with you to complete required exit counseling on your student loans. After a grace period, your loans will enter repayment. If you are not able to make your payments, it is essential to communicate with your lender directly to explore any forbearance and deferral options that exist so you have loan options available to you when you return to HBS.
  • What resources will I be given to help me find a job during my time away?  You’ll have access to CPD resources until the time of your leave; once you are on leave, you will lose access to all CPD resources, including coaching. 
  • Will I have access to the HBS alumni database during my time away? No, only enrolled students have access to the Alumni Directory.  
  • I received funding through the Summer Fellows Program. Do I need to return the money if I take a leave? No, you do not need to return the funding. You need to be enrolled to receive the money so it is important to work with CPD to ensure that you have completed all necessary steps before your leave.  
  • Will I be able to participate in Bridges with my RC section? Yes, students on a leave of absence may participate in the section closure portion of Bridges with their RC section - organized by each section. You will complete the full Bridges program when you are re-enrolled as an EC student.
  • Will I be able to participate in reunions with my original RC class, or will I be affiliated with my graduation year “forever more”? Alumni Relations allows you the choice to be affiliated with your graduation year, or with the graduation year of your RC section, once you have completed the Program. Should you complete all of your academic requirements before your original class’s first year reunion, you would be welcome to join that event. 
  • How will a leave of absence appear on my record? While you are on a leave of absence, a temporary notation “withdrawn” will appear on your transcript to indicate that a leave has been taken. When you are re-enrolled the notation will be removed.
  • How will taking a leave affect my status in my joint degree program? Each program is unique in its structure.  We advise you to reach out to Jill Fadule (jfadule@hbs.edu) for questions related to your specific program.
  • Do you have advice on health care coverage? If you choose to take a leave, you can purchase an extension that would extend your coverage. Find more information on the HUHS website.

While on Leave of Absence

Any student who goes on leave of absence during the academic year is charged tuition and any applicable fees, including rent, to the end of the period in which he or she leaves. Students receiving scholarship or other financial aid should consult the Financial Aid Office concerning the financial implications of going on leave. Foreign students should consult the International Office concerning their status.

The date a student goes on leave will affect the student's health insurance through Harvard. For details, review the Leave of Absence policy on the HUHSP website, or contact the Student Health Insurance Office, Member Services, at 617-495-2008 or mservices@huhs.harvard.edu.

Libraries and other facilities normally may be used only by students who are currently registered. Students on leave may not participate in extracurricular activities. Exceptions to this rule must be specifically approved in advance by the School. If so instructed by the Executive Director or a designee, a student on leave must remain away from the University campus.

Students going on leave are reminded that all degree candidates, whether currently registered or not, are expected to maintain a satisfactory standard of conduct.

Following an individualized assessment, the School may require students who are on leave for medical reasons to comply with a treatment plan during their time away.

Returning to School

A student in good standing on a voluntary leave of absence ordinarily may return by notifying the Registrar twelve weeks in advance of the start of any term, although it remains the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has adequate time to complete the degree within the time limits established by the School.

Students who were not in good standing at the time a voluntary leave of absence was granted and students who were placed on an involuntary leave of absence must petition within five years for permission to return to the School and must demonstrate that the circumstances that led to their leave have been satisfactorily addressed and that they are ready to resume their studies. The decision whether to allow a student to return is made by the Managing Director, MBA Student & Academic Services and RC or EC Faculty Chair, in consultation with the Chair of the Conduct Review Board or such other person as the Dean designates.

If the leave, whether voluntary or involuntary, was for medical reasons, then the student must petition the Executive Director for permission to return to the School and must demonstrate that the circumstances that led to their leave have been satisfactorily addressed and that they are ready to resume their studies. In addition, so that the School may conduct an individualized assessment of their circumstances, students on medical leave ordinarily will be required to consult with Harvard University Health Services (and to grant permission to Harvard University Health Services to obtain their treatment records and communicate with their treatment providers) so that a professional assessment about the student’s stability and readiness to return can be shared with the School. Please also note that if the School learns of serious concerns about the health or well-being of a student who is away from School but not on a medical leave of absence, then the School similarly may require the student to consult with Harvard University Health Services (and to grant permission to Harvard University Health Services to obtain their treatment records and communicate with their treatment providers) so that a professional assessment about the student’s stability and readiness to return can be shared with the School. In all such cases, the decision whether to allow a student to return is made by the Managing Director, MBA Student & Academic Services, in consultation with the RC or EC Faculty Chair or such other person as the Dean designates.

Any disciplinary matter must be resolved before a student on leave of absence will be allowed to return and, if the student has been required to withdraw while on leave of absence, then any conditions for return after a required withdrawal also must be satisfied.

Students returning from a leave who wish to apply for financial aid must notify the Financial Aid Office and file the necessary application forms by mid-April for the following fall term, and by October 1 for the following spring term. Late applicants cannot be assured that their aid will be available in time for registration payment deadlines.

Students who have been granted a leave and who have borrowed money through Harvard must submit an annual loan deferment form to the Student Loan Office upon their return to Harvard. Deferment forms may be obtained through either the Student Loan Office or the Financial Aid Office and must be completed and certified by the Registrar immediately following Registration. Failure to file a deferment form upon return will cause payments to be due on loans and could affect future borrowing eligibility.

A student will not be allowed to register in the University again until all previous term-bill charges have been paid and no loan is in default.

Contracts for Enrollment

The School may condition a student’s enrollment on certain terms or conditions, as set forth in a written contract between the School and the student, when the student’s conduct or circumstances have caused heightened concerns about the student’s safety and/or well-being and: (a) the appropriateness of the student’s continued enrollment; or (b) the student’s readiness to return to the Harvard community. The contract may include, among other things, compliance with a medical treatment plan, regular consultations with health care professionals, communication with administrators, and limited disclosure of relevant medical information, on a need to know basis, such as compliance with treatment and restrictions on certain activities. The decision to require such a contract is arrived at in consultation with Harvard University Health Services after an individualized assessment of the nature of the student’s conduct and circumstances and any other pertinent factors.

Clearance for Return Related to Serious Concerns about the Health or Well-being of a Student

Clearance for Return to Residence and/or Continued Enrollment and Participation in Harvard-Related Programs or Activities

If Harvard Business School learns of serious concerns about the health or well-being of an enrolled student, for example, because the student has been hospitalized or has visited an emergency room, HBS ordinarily will not permit that student to return to a campus residence, continue enrollment, or participate in any Harvard-related programs or activities, without making its own assessment of the suitability of the student’s return. With respect to returning to campus housing, see Procedure for Notice and Consultation on Effects of Health Issues on Campus Housing, below. For students who do not reside in campus housing, HBS also may require the student to consult with HUHS (and to grant permission to HUHS to obtain their treatment records and communicate with their treatment providers) so that a professional assessment about the student’s stability and readiness to return can be shared with the School. Any student may, of course, refuse to allow consultation between the student's clinician(s) and Harvard Business School, but such a refusal will not prevent HBS from making a decision regarding a student’s continued enrollment. The decision whether to allow a student to return is made by the Executive Director, in consultation with others as appropriate.

Students are expected to notify Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) of any hospitalization or emergency department visit. HUHS can be notified by phone 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at 617-495-5711.

Procedure for Notice and Consultation on Effects of Health Issues on Campus Housing

In situations where a student’s medical condition causes concern about the appropriateness and/or feasibility of their continuing to reside in or returning to a campus residence, HBS, in consultation with clinicians at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), will determine whether a student can remain in or return to campus housing. Such situations can include notification to HBS that a student has been treated in the emergency department of a hospital or been hospitalized. In those instances, the student’s medical record, including their mental health record, will not be available to officers of HBS.

Consultation between clinicians and officers of HBS should occur at least 24 hours prior to the anticipated possible return of a student to campus housing. An important factor in the decision about whether a student may return to campus housing is the effect of the student’s presence on members of the residential community. Consultation about whether it is appropriate or feasible for a student to return to campus housing therefore also may include consultation with residents who are affected and with residential staff, only as necessary and with respect for confidentiality and the student’s right to privacy. Another important factor to be considered is whether the type of care and accommodation necessary for the student’s recovery extends beyond the physical resources or appropriate responsibilities of staff. Any student may, of course, refuse to allow consultation between the student's clinician(s) and Harvard Business School, but such a refusal will not prevent HBS from making a decision regarding a student’s return to campus residence. The final decision about returning to and/or continuing in campus housing will rest with the Executive Director.

In certain instances, in which there is concern regarding the well-being of a student and/or if the student is hospitalized, the individual whose name the student has provided as their emergency contact may be notified by an officer of HBS.