SECTION 8: Leave of Absence SECTION 8: Leave of Absence Content

Regular Leave

A regular leave is intended to allow students to meet family, travel or employment responsibilities or plans and circumstances not covered by the parental or exceptional leaves. At the request of a graduate student, the head of the student’s department may recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that a student be granted a leave of absence for a period of time not to exceed one year. While on leave of absence, a student would not be expected to maintain study and/or thesis research work. Students on regular leave of absences will be required to maintain continuous registration and pay the appropriate continuing fee. If a student has program tuition fees (as opposed to continuing fees) owing at the time of the granting of the leave, the tuition fees will be deferred until the student returns from leave, however, the continuing fee will be levied.* A regular leave of absence status does not extend the time limits as outlined in the Faculty regulations.

*Program Fees: The continuing fee in effect at the time of the granting of the leave will be levied. However, if the student returns from leave in January, the normal tuition fee will be levied less the continuing fee already paid.

Exceptional Leave

In exceptional circumstances for medical or compassionate reasons (e.g. the need to care for an ailing relative), at the request of the graduate student, the head of the student’s department may recommend to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies that a student be granted an exceptional leave of absence for a period of time not to exceed one year. While on leave of absence for exceptional reasons, a student is not permitted to maintain study and/or thesis research work, would not be required to maintain continuous registration, nor pay tuition fees. In addition, the leave period would not be included in the time period allowed for the completion of the degree. This leave is not intended to cover circumstances related to travel, employment or other financial concerns.

Fees: Students are not expected to pay fees for the term in which they have been granted an exceptional leave. Upon return from the exceptional leave students will be assessed fees as determined by the Registrar’s Office.

Parental Leave

A graduate student who is bearing a child or who has primary responsibility of the care of an infant or young child immediately following a birth or adoption of a child is eligible for parental leave. The request should be made through the student’s department, normally for a leave of four to twelve months. Leaves of other duration will be considered on an individual basis. Parental leaves must correspond with (an) academic term(s). While on leave of absence for parental reasons, a student is not permitted to maintain study and/or thesis research work. The leave period is not included in the time period allowed for completion of the degree.

Fees: Students are not expected to pay fees for the term in which they have been granted a parental leave. Upon return from the parental leave students will be assessed fees as determined by the Registrar’s Office.

Note: At the time of approval of an application for leave, the procedures for the return of the student to the department at the completion of the leave must be stipulated.

Awards and Leave of Absence

Students granted exceptional or parental leave would retain the full value of a University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship or other award whose terms and conditions are established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Such an award will be suspended at the onset of the leave and reinstated at the termination of the leave period (4 to 12 months) provided that the student returns to full time study at that time.

Note: Other awards will be paid according to the conditions established by the donor or granting agency.

Graduate Student Vacation Entitlement

Students are entitled to three weeks vacation throughout a 12-month period.