Student Advocacy

At the Tandon School of Engineering, we believe that the freedom to teach and learn is crucial to the academic process. Therefore, the Office of Student Life & Services has worked with other departments to develop procedures and policies to safeguard these freedoms. To fulfill our goal as a learning community, we frame our foundation of success around the following:

• Respect and dignity of self and others
• Academic and personal integrity
• Responsibility and accountability for one’s actions
• Establishing values and goals
• Embracing human and intellectual diversity and inclusiveness

This foundation enables us to ensure the growth and success of the entire community socially, physically, academically, and emotionally.

Any behavior that threatens the academic environment threatens the learning process and the Tandon School of Engineering community. Therefore, the Tandon School of Engineering exercises its right to discipline and commits its policies and procedures in the form of a Code of Conduct to the protection and promotion of the academic enterprise.

The Office of Student Advocacy is in place to promote a safe respectful academic environment by considering possible violations of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering Student Code of Conduct. This allows students to develop into leaders by giving them a central role in establishing student conduct policy; and, when appropriate, offering violators of the code an opportunity to learn from a fair process and develop into responsible community members. Incidents of student misconduct and academic dishonesty are reported to the Office of Student Advocacy for review and appropriate action is taken in compliance with the Code of Conduct.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering asks all new students to sign a Community Compact to maintain the standards set by the community you are now joining. By signing this, you are acknowledging your agreement.

If you have questions, please contact the Assistant Director of Student Advocacy & Compliance, Deanna Rayment.

An absence can be excused if you have missed no more than 10 days of school. If an illness or special circumstance has caused you to miss more than two weeks of school, please refer to the section labeled Medical Leave of Absence.

Students may request special accommodations for an absence to be excused in the following cases:

• Medical reasons
• Death in immediate family
• Personal qualified emergencies (documentation must be provided)
• Religious Expression or Practice

If illness or an accident causes you to miss a class (or classes) or an exam, you should do the following:

• Notify the Office of Student Advocacy by filling out this Google form in its entirety.

Students should not provide anyone except the Office of Student Advocacy with a copy of medical documentation. If a professor requests a copy, refer them to the Office of Student Advocacy. It is important for instructors to know when you are experiencing an issue that might interfere with your studies. However, it is also important that your personal matters be kept confidential.

NYU Policy Regarding Observing Religious Holidays

The Tandon School of Engineering’s policy requires students provide the Office of Student Advocacy with notification via this Google form 14 days in advance of the days to be taken off.

Thinking about requesting a leave of absence? 

All leave of absence requests must be submitted through your Albert Student Center no later than the University add/drop deadline. Any requests submitted after this date, will be considered a Term Withdrawal. 

The duration of any approved leave will be a minimum of one academic semester, or an equivalent four-month period, to a maximum of two academic semesters or the equivalent in months (8 months).

Important Note for International Students: please consult the Office of Global Services (OGS) if you have any questions about the immigration implications of taking a leave of absence. Also note that obtaining approval for a leave of absence from your program at NYU Tandon is a separate process from obtaining permission from OGS. No LOA, whether for personal or medical/counseling reasons, will be considered official or approved unless a request is submitted via your Albert Student portal.

Important Note for Students in On-Campus Housing: please consult the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services for specific instructions and information on the impact of leaves of absence on on-campus housing including the housing cancellation policy and eligibility for on-campus housing after returning from a leave of absence. 

Types of Leave:

• Personal Leave of Absence
• Medical/Counseling Leave of Absence

What is a Personal Leave of Absence?

A personal leave of absence is a request for reasons unrelated to medical or counseling conditions. Personal leaves are voluntary and apply to issues related to national service or personal circumstances. 

To officially request a personal leave of absence, submit your request through your Albert Student Center. Make sure to specify personal reasons for the intended semester

A personal leave is official only after the student receives final approval from the Office of the University Registrar. This letter will clarify the steps necessary for reentry into the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Please feel free to contact the Office of Records & Registration regarding inquiries related to personal leave of absences.

What is a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)?

NYU recognizes that it is sometimes necessary or desirable for a student to take a leave from enrollment for a period of time due to unforeseen medical occurrences/issues. A Medical Leave of Absence can be taken for either Medical Reasons or Counseling Reasons.

To request a leave for Medical Reasons, the below steps must be completed:

1. Submit your request through your Albert Student Center. Make sure to specify medical reasons for the intended semester

2. Submit your medical information and medical documentation via the Student Health Portal

3. Complete Medical Leave of Absence Request Form and email it to advocacy.tandonstudentlife@nyu.edu 

To request a leave for Counseling Reasons, the below steps must be completed:

1. Submit your request through your Albert Student Center. Make sure to specify medical reasons for the intended semester

2. Schedule an appointment with NYU Counseling and Wellness for evaluation of medical leave by calling 212-443-9999. For Counseling leaves, NYU students must be cleared by CWS, regardless if they have an outside provider or documentation. There is no exception to this.

3. Complete Medical Leave of Absence Request Form and email it to advocacy.tandonstudentlife@nyu.edu 

Additional Information:

• It is recommended that a student speak with their academic advisor or department when considering a leave of absence.
• Do not submit a request for leave of absence if:
  • You want to drop individual classes, but will remain registered in other classes.  
    • Instead, submit a class withdrawal request
    • International students who will not maintain full time enrollment should contact OGS to discuss the option of Reduced Course Load. 

Any questions regarding this process should be directed to advocacy.tandonstudentlife@nyu.edu

What if I don’t have a doctor?

Tandon School of Engineering Campus Student Health Center is conveniently located at: 6 MetroTech Center, ROG-B020, Brooklyn, New York 11201. Appointments are required at this location, and can be obtained by calling: 646-997-3456. The office is open 5 days a week. The NYU Student Health Center in Brooklyn is open to all NYU students. Services include primary care, counseling, and disability services.

Do I have access to the Washington Square Student Health Center?

NYU's Washington Square Student Health Center (SHC) is a campus resource and service center for all matriculated students, including those students attending our Brooklyn campus. The SHC is located at 726 Broadway, on the 3^rd and 4^th floors, is available 6 days a week, and offers drop-in hours. Their contact is 212-443-9999.

Can I use a doctor outside of NYU Student Health Centers?

Students have the option of establishing a relationship with a neighborhood physician. If you have insurance through NYU Tandon, visit the home page of Wellfleet, enter your zip code, and verify what physicians are covered by your individual plan in your neighborhood. More detailed questions about your specific insurance can be made at 212-443-1020.

Do I have to tell my professor about my medical issue?

No. It is important for you to know that your medical information is protected by Federal HIPPA laws, meant to protect you by ensuring that your medical information is not improperly shared.  The Office of Student Life & Services will act as a liaison between you and NYU Tandon Faculty. Do not provide medical documentation to NYU Tandon Professors.  Be sure to provide the Office of Student Life & Services with accurate information about all classes that you are enrolled in, including professor names and course numbers.

What counts as supporting documentation?

A completed Excused Absence form which states specific leave dates and return date. If you will be absent for a specific period of time, for example three days, your physician note will need to state the specific dates to cover that period. If these dates are missing, we use the date of the note only.

Can the Office of Student Affairs speak with my parents/guardians about my medical issues?

No, unless you have signed a FERPA waiver and that waiver has been filed with the Registrar, the Office of Student Life & Services cannot speak with your parents in regards to medical or other matters.

If you are a student who wants to transfer from NYU to another institution and you require a college transfer form to be completed, please see the steps below:

1. All request forms should be submitted via Google Form to the Office of Student Life & Services. 
2. You must complete one form per university that you are applying to. 
3. Please allow up to 5 business days for processing
4. Please note, all forms are sent directly to the school you are applying to. These forms will not be sent back to the student directly.