Bellin College is a close-knit, caring community committed to student success. In the event that a student experiences the death of a loved one during the course of an academic term, the student may request to utilize the Bereavement Policy for Students. Bellin College recognizes the impact that a loss may have on the emotional and academic well-being of a student and wishes to support the student during this stressful time. Bellin College also understands that grief impacts every student differently and, therefore, this policy is not an attempt to quantify the impact of the death of a loved one or in any way address the nature of the grief process. Rather, the purpose of this policy is to provide a formal process to allow grieving students access to bereavement services, as well as the opportunity to be available for their families/loved ones during times of death and grief.
Under this policy, a student will be excused from class for funeral leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. While this policy excuses a student from class attendance, the student remains responsible for all material covered in class and must work with each individual professor upon return to complete any required work.
Typically, the student bereavement policy involves that of an immediate family member as defined below; however, it is up to the discretion of the student affairs office and other applicable college personnel to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy:
The immediate family includes:
- Parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
- Siblings
- Spouse or partner
- Children
- Other relatives living as members of the student’s household
- In-laws
- Grandparents
Relationships outside the immediate family may include, but are not limited to:
- Aunts or uncles
- Cousins
- Nieces or nephews
Disclaimer: The College reserves the right to review specific situations to determine if exceptions to the established bereavement policy are warranted.
Procedure:
The standard bereavement policy suggests three days of leave, but the actual amount will vary based on the relationship with the deceased, religious, or cultural beliefs, and coursework/clinical hours. A student who wishes to take time off due to the death of a loved one must notify the Student Affairs Office who will communicate with the Program Director to create approved arrangements for coursework or clinical that will be missed.
Steps For Student:
- The student must notify the Student Affairs Office prior to the start of the bereavement leave at campuslife@bellincollege.edu
- A representative from student affairs will notify the necessary and appropriate on-campus offices (faculty, academic advisor, program director, dean, etc.) of a student’s bereavement leave and anticipated return date.
- The student is required to provide appropriate documentation to the Student Affairs Office at campuslife@bellincollege.edu.
- Acceptable documents may include: a funeral program, obituary, signed letter from funeral home, notice of death, or death certificate. Failure to provide documentation will result in the absences being considered unexcused.
- Upon return to the institution, it is the responsibility of the student to communicate with their instructors about any missed assignments and arrange to complete missed work.
- If an instructor fails to follow this policy, the student may appeal the instructor’s decision in writing to the director of student affairs under the general grievance procedures.