Students experiencing concussions often experience a myriad of short and long term symptoms that can affect their ability to perform daily tasks, excel academically, and engage socially while at Elon. Below, we have collected a number of important resources that Elon offers to support students who may have experienced a concussion:

Student Care and Outreach | 336-278-7104:

Students experiencing a concussion that need to miss classes must complete an Absence Notification with appropriate documentation from their clinician including the date of the concussion incident and the date the student can return to classes.

If the student receives documentation electronically, the student is encouraged to send the documentation to their professors themselves.

If the student submits documentation and it does not specifically document the date of the concussion incident and the date the student can return to classes, an Absence Notification will not be sent. Student Care and Outreach only sends Absence Notifications for documented absences of 5 or more consecutive class days.

Once Student Care and Outreach receives appropriate documentation with the Absence Notification form, they will send an Absence Notification to the student’s faculty. The student will be cc’d on the correspondence.

A notification is sent only as a convenience for the student and does not excuse the student’s absence.

The student is responsible for working with their faculty on making up missed work and any accommodations going forward.

If the concussion symptoms persist beyond the return date, the student will need to set a follow-up appointment with their clinician or Elon Health Services to be re-evaluated. Students will then need to provide additional documentation with the date of the concussion incident and an updated date the student can return to classes for an additional Absence Notification to be sent.

Disabilities Resources are available to determine if a temporary accommodation is needed.

Health Services | 336-278-7230:

  • Health Services are available to perform an initial evaluation for concussion, provide follow-up care and ongoing assessment of symptoms, create a “return to learn” plan for students, and provide documentation to support absences from classes.  Health providers coordinate closely with Disability Resources and Athletic Trainers.

Disability Resources | 336-278-6568:

Disabilities Resources works with students on a case-by-case basis, determining reasonable accommodations where appropriate. Students must be registered with Disabilities Resources before accommodations are considered. Students should use the Temporary Accommodations form to register.

Persistent symptoms after 5 consecutive class days (prolonged symptoms; lingering effects of the concussion) must be confirmed by a medical doctor and student must submit this documentation to Disabilities Resources.

Disabilities Resources can assist with some temporary accommodations such as extended time or breaks. They are not able to accommodate any request to not do assigned classwork.

Athletic Training Services | 336-278-7336:

  • Athletic Training Services will provide support services for club sports and performing arts students.
  • Athletic trainers are available to perform an initial evaluation for concussion, provide follow-up care and ongoing assessment of symptoms, create a “return to learn” plan for students, and provide documentation to support absences from classes.  Athletic trainers coordinate closely with Disability Resources and Health Services.

Concussion FAQ for Students, Family and Friends:

  • A PDF document prepared by the Elon BrainCare Research Institute outlining key terms, common symptoms, and recommendations for managing symptoms in the aftermath of a concussion.

Concussion FAQ for Faculty/Staff:

  • A PDF document prepared by the Elon BrainCare Research Institute outlining steps Faculty can take to support students managing symptoms related to concussion.