Short-Term Break Re-Entry Process
Creighton University’s Student Life team seeks to empower and “accompany” students in their journey to persist toward graduation. At times, students take a short-term break (generally less than 1 week) during the semester to recover from a mental health issue or episode. This often involves the student seeking hospitalization or other medical care.
During these short-term breaks, the University asks a student to seek mental health treatment and requires a student to have an assessment prior to re-entry to campus life and classes. This assessment is performed by the Senior Director of Creighton University’s Student Counseling Services or his/her designee. The following instructions provide students with the steps needed to re-enter Creighton University after a short-term break for mental health.
Please read through the steps below or download a PDF copy of the steps:
Steps for Re-Entry after a Short-Term Break
Step 1: Ask Provider(s) for a Recommendation & Grant a Full Release
The student, after discharge and/or treatment, must ask his/her provider(s) to send a written recommendation to Student Counseling Services (or if hospitalization, send a discharge summary) and give approval for a full release to Student Counseling Services. Please reference the “Re-Entry Instructions for Providers” for this recommendation. The student should ask his/her provider(s) to send this written recommendation (or if hospitalization, send a discharge summary) prior to contacting Student Counseling Services to schedule an assessment. (Please note: When a student has a temporary leave due to mental health, a student will receive a formal notification from the University that they are asked to focus on their own health and not attend classes or be on campus until these steps are all complete.)
Step 2: Schedule an Assessment with Student Counseling Services
When the student has confirmed that his/her provider(s) have sent a written recommendation (or if hospitalization, send discharge summary) to Student Counseling Services and he/she has approved for a full release to Student Counseling Services at Creighton University, the student should then contact Student Counseling Services to schedule an assessment. (Student Counseling Services at Creighton University can be reached at 402.280.2735.)
Step 3: Meet with Student Life
One to two days after meeting with Student Counseling Services, the student will meet with Desiree Nownes, Senior Director of Student Formation, to complete a Student Life Student Support Plan. This meeting will be scheduled after a student meets with the Senior Director of Student Counseling Services or his/her designee. The Student Support Plan will include recommendations from Student Counseling Services and is an agreement between the University and the student. Students will be asked to agree to a student support plan and a limited release of information at this meeting.
For More Information
Dr. Wayne Young, Jr.
Vice Provost
Student Success
Phone: 402.280.2775
Fax: 402.280.4706
waynejr@creighton.edu
Desiree Nownes
Senior Director
Student Formation
Phone: 402.280.2775
desireenownes@creighton.edu
