“academic responsible for the next year of entry of the student is supposed to satisfy himself that the student is over the difficulties that they had previously”

Is this a general rule across the sector?

I had heard of this at my previous institution, but not here.

Alice Pennington

Disabilities Officer

Roehampton University

Tel: 020 8392 3113 ext. 4088

Email: [log in to unmask]

www.roehampton.ac.uk/disabilities

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Conroy, Gerard V
Sent: 26 April 2005 14:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: fit to study?

I know that if a student has interrupted their course on medical grounds then the academic responsible for the next year of entry of the student is supposed to satisfy himself that the student is over the difficulties that they had previously (this is nothing to do with disability support by the way).

One could argue that entry is an academic decision and anyone admitted is deemed fit to study. Perhaps you should tell the LEA in question just that and refer the LEA to the academic responsible for admitting the student if they are not satisfied. For your own purposes go about your business of support as for any other student.

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of No Name
Sent: 26 April 2005 14:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: fit to study?

A student interrupted their studies for 18 months due to ill health (beginning with an emergency admission for anorexia) but is now applying to return.

In response to her funding application the LEA have requested

“a letter from your doctor confirming that you are in good health and fit to study”

Now this presents a problem I fear.

We shouldn’t’ be placing any additional requirements on disabled students that we do not press on other students, and in any case, we don’t require any other student disabled or not to produce evidence that they are fit to study.

But on the other hand, I can see an argument that if this student had to stop their studies for medical reasons, it is important that these have been resolved before restarting studies, otherwise nothing has been resolved by the interruption.