Community members concerned about proposed changes to the University’s medical leave policy will have a chance to voice their opinions Friday during a forum in the EMU.
The revision would no longer guarantee re-admission for a student placed on leave because of “a serious medical or mental health condition or emergency that substantially threatens the welfare of self or others,” among other changes, according to a March 1 draft of the policy. Under the changes, the vice president for Student Affairs and a newly formed Suicide Assessment Team would approve a student’s return after reviewing a student submitted plan for return.
The changes would grant final decision-making power to the vice president for student affairs and allow him or her to seek input from the Counseling and Testing Center director for psychological cases.
The policy also creates new “Standards of Responsibility and Self Care” students must follow.
“The University of Oregon administration has determined that the current medical leave policy is outdated and does not represent best practices for responding to students’ need for medical leave to deal with serious health conditions,” according to a notice about the hearing.
If approved, the changes will amend the Oregon Administrative Rules governing medical leave at the University.
Connie Tapp of the Office of the General Counsel will act as the hearings officer for the meeting. She will collect both written and oral testimony during the one hour forum, she said.
Public comment on the changes lasts until noon on April 25, according to the notice.
The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. in the Alsea and Coquille Rooms in the EMU.
— Parker Howell