Supportive Leaves Policy Review (2026)

The University of Toronto is currently reviewing its Supportive Leaves Policy. The consultation period is open now and will close on March 20, 2026. This policy outlines when and how the university may place a student on a mandated leave in situations involving serious health or safety concerns. It also describes supports available during a leave. Because this policy affects student wellbeing, academic progress, and in some cases funding, it is important that graduate student voices are heard during this review.

Grad Minds is sharing this explainer to:

• Clarify what the current policy does and does not do
• Highlight how the policy changed in 2023
• Help graduate students participate in the official consultation process

Click here to access the official policy review page

Before March 2023, the university operated under the University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy. After consultation and revision, that policy was replaced with the current Supportive Leaves Policy (March 1, 2023). Below is a simplified comparison in plain language.

Before 2023 (Mandated Leave of Absence Policy)

• The threshold for placing a student on leave was broader and included more ambiguous language.
• Students expressed concern that the policy could be applied too widely.
• There was fear that accessing mental health services could potentially trigger review under the policy.
• The structure was perceived by some as punitive rather than supportive.

After 2023 (Supportive Leaves Policy)

• The threshold for mandated leave was significantly narrowed.
• A student can only be placed on leave if their behaviour poses a serious risk to the safety of others or the community.
• The policy explicitly focuses on behaviour, not diagnosis.
• Seeking counselling, accessing health services, or disclosing mental health challenges does not trigger leave.
• The policy includes a clearer emphasis on support, case management, and reintegration.
• The previous ambiguous threshold language was removed.

The current Supportive Leaves Policy allows the university to require a student to take a temporary leave only when:

• The student’s behaviour creates a significant risk to the safety of others, and
• That risk cannot be managed through other accommodations or supports.

Important clarifications:

• The policy is not triggered by accessing mental health care.
• It is not triggered by disclosing a diagnosis.
• It is not triggered by simply being unwell.
• It is focused specifically on behaviour that creates a community safety concern.

Students placed on leave are supported by student case managers and may return once conditions are met. In some cases, matters initially reviewed under the Code of Student Conduct may be shifted to the Supportive Leaves Policy if it becomes clear that the student is experiencing a health crisis and a supportive approach is more appropriate.

Click here to access the current supportive leaves policy

The university is conducting a formal review of the Supportive Leaves Policy. The consultation period is now through March 20, 2026.

Who is involved:

• Office of the Vice-Provost Students (OVPS)
• Institutional consultation staff
• Student groups, including UTGSU and Grad Minds
• Individual students who choose to provide feedback

Consultation methods include:

• Open sessions
• Group meetings
• An official online consultation form

Feedback collected during this process may inform updates or refinements to the policy.

Click here for more information about the review process

Whether you have direct experience with the policy or simply have thoughts or questions about it, your perspective matters. Graduate student input is essential to ensuring the policy better supports students moving forward.

Click here to access the official anonymous consultation form from the Office of the Vice-Provost Students (OVPS)

About Anonymity

• You must log in using your UTORid to access the form.
• However, your UTORid is not linked to your submission.
• The form does not automatically collect your name or email address.
• Submissions are confidential unless you voluntarily include identifying information.

If you are unsure whether to submit feedback, you may first review this explainer and the policy to determine what questions or concerns you wish to raise.

Optional: Contact Grad Minds

If you would prefer to share thoughts with Grad Minds as student representatives, you may email us at: mentalhealth@utgsu.ca

You may remain anonymous if you wish. We will synthesize themes and share feedback with OVPS without including identifying information.