Bereavement Policy
The purpose of this policy is to try to help balance a student’s basic mental health needs with their academic success in the event of the loss of a family member. It is also the intention of this policy to promote equity of process and expectations between students and faculty. WWU students who experience a death of a family member may be excused from classes for up to five weekdays. For international students, extra travel time may be granted as dictated by distance. This period is not the extent of the grieving process but is simply an excused absence period meant to allow bereaved students to travel to be with their family, to attend funeral or celebration of life services, or to see to other matters that result from the death of a family member that require their physical presence. Absences beyond the allotted amount may be excused on a case-by case basis through the office of the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration (AVPAA) or for graduate student the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies (AVPGS). If a student feels that they cannot continue with their courses for the quarter, they may pursue a withdraw all form and an extended leave through the Records Department.
Student Responsibility
It is the student’s responsibility to provide notification to the university when a death in their family occurs by submitting the Bereavement Leave form. Notification from the student to the university should occur within one week of the death, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the AVPAA or the AVPGS. As part of the Bereavement Leave request, the student will need to provide documentation, such as an image of an obituary notice, death certificate, or funeral service program, within two weeks of the event.
Instructor Responsibility
Once the leave request has been approved, notification will be sent to the student’s WWU instructors. It is then the WWU instructor’s responsibility to work with the student and extend a make-up period at least equal to the number of weekdays allocated.
For the purposes of this policy, the following terms are defined as:
• Student: A WWU student who has experienced the loss of a family member.
• Family Member: A parent, legal guardian, sibling, grandparent, spouse, child, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, or equivalent in-law or step-relation.
Campus Resources for Bereaved Students:
Chaplain's Office
(509) 527-2010
chaplain@wallawalla.edu
Health & Wellness Center
(509) 527-2147
counseling@wallawalla.edu