1. What are my options when my health is negatively affecting my academic performance? 
2. Can I take a reduced load or enroll part-time instead of a health leave of absence (HLOA)? 
3. Should I tell my academic program/faculty mentors about my health status?
4. If I have a health issue, do I have to take a health leave of absence (HLOA)?
5. What is the role of the health leaves coordinator position with health leaves?
6. When would a graduate student need to take a health leave?
7. How many students take a health leave?
8. Where can I go for help in talking about a health leave?

What are my options when my health is negatively affecting my academic performance? 

You should not ignore your health concerns. Instead, first, make sure that you are seeking care for your health concerns. If you do not know where to go, contact Cornell Health for an initial consultation at 607-255-5155. If you need support in making that connection, please contact Janna Lamey at janna.lamey@cornell.edu. After that, you have a few options: 

1. Use personal support networks and Cornell’s support services and resources. Many students find the best place to start is by talking to friends and family and sometimes your faculty mentor or DGS. Take advantage of campus resources that can help, such as Cornell Health, Student Disability Services, and other offices.
2. Consider exploring support that you may be able to gain through Student Disability Services. In some situations, reasonable accommodations may enable you to complete academic coursework and remain on campus rather than taking a health leave of absence (HLOA). We encourage you to consult with Student Disability Services to discuss eligibility for accommodations before requesting an HLOA.
3. You may want to consider taking a HLOA to let you focus solely on your health. The HLOA gives you time to step away and take care of your health while “stopping the clock” on your academic responsibilities. In addition, for funded graduate students, a HLOA preserves your financial aid (fellowships, assistantship) for when you return.

Can I take a reduced load or enroll part-time instead of a health leave of absence? 

While there is not a recognized part-time status with Cornell’s Graduate School, in some cases, reasonable accommodations may enable you to complete academic coursework and remain on campus rather than taking a HLOA. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities is considered a disability and may warrant accommodations. If you are considering a HLOA, please consult with Student Disability Services to discuss eligibility for accommodations before requesting an HLOA.

Should I tell my academic program/faculty mentors about my health status?

Deciding what health information to share with whom is a personal choice. Only Cornell Health or Student Disability Services will need to know the specifics of your health situation. While many faculty appreciate knowing when a student is experiencing health concerns so that they can provide assistance, if you prefer this to be confidential, please work with other offices who can also help you determine how to answer this question.

If I have a health issue, do I have to take a health leave of absence (HLOA)?

Absolutely not! You are the only person who can request a HLOA for yourself. However, your health care provider may in certain circumstances recommend a HLOA if in their judgment you would benefit from time away from your graduate studies to focus on your health. It is up to you to consider their recommendation, your health needs, and your options.

What is the role of the health leaves coordinator position with health leaves?

The health leaves coordinator serves as a facilitator supporting the student in the process of obtaining a health leave. The goal is to help make this as smooth as possible for you. You can connect with the health leaves coordinator at healthleaves@cornell.edu.

When would a graduate student need to take a health leave?

This is a personal decision, but here is some advice about the timing of a HLOA:

• Take a health leave whenever you feel that this is the best course of action for you.
• Take a health leave before support from your academic resources dwindles. Typically, faculty members are very helpful and supportive when health is a concern; however, there can be limits to how long they are able to be supportive if your lack of academic progress due to health issues continues for an extended period of time. Aim to time a health leave to occur when you, your special committee chair, and your DGS are in productive communications about your future academic plans.
• Take a health leave when you are fully informed about support and resources available to you while being on a health leave.  

How many students take a health leave? 

In the course of a year, on average about 35-50 graduate students take a health leave, out of an enrolled population of over 5,000.

Where can I go for help in talking about a health leave?

If you are interested in talking about your individual situation as it relates to the health leave option, please contact the health leaves coordinator (healthleaves@cornell.edu) or Associate Dean Janna Lamey (janna.lamey@cornell.edu) for a private discussion.