Emergency removal and return
This policy outlines how the university will respond in situations where students have engaged in behavior such that the university determines there is a significant risk of substantial harm to members of the campus community. The university will strive to work with such a student to resolve the situation through a voluntary leave of absence or voluntary withdrawal. However, if no voluntary resolution can be reached or if emergency circumstances exist, the university may need to place such a student on involuntary leave or involuntarily withdraw the student from the university.
Conditions which could warrant involuntary leave or involuntary withdrawal
Involuntary leave or involuntary withdrawal of a student will occur only in situations
where the university determines there is a significant risk of substantial harm to
the health or safety of a member(s) of the campus community.
The following are some examples of situations that may be covered by this policy. They include, but are not limited to:
- Threats of damage or harm to other persons;
- Behavior indicating that the student is not in contact with reality or not aware of the consequences of his/her actions such that there may be a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of a member(s) of the campus community.
Procedure
The vice president of student affairs, when made aware of a student's request for
a voluntary leave of absence or withdrawal or of a situation which could warrant involuntary
leave or withdrawal, will work with the university's counselor for disability services,
the campus counselor, director of residence life and other appropriate persons knowledgeable
about the student s condition (e.g., parents, healthcare providers) to determine the
student's ability to safely participate in the university's programs.
The determination that a student poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the
health or safety of a member(s) of the campus community shall be based on an individualized
assessment of the student's present ability to safely function at the university.
This assessment shall be based on a reasonable medical judgment that relies on the
most current medical knowledge and/or on the best available objective evidence. In
determining whether an individual would pose such a risk, the factors to be considered
include:
- the nature, duration and severity of the risk of harm;
- the likelihood that the potential harm will occur; and
- whether reasonable modifications of university policies, practices or procedures will sufficiently mitigate the risk.
If it is determined through the above process that a student's behavior poses a direct
threat to a member(s) of the campus community, the vice president of student affairs
or designee may withdraw the student or restrict the student’s access to campus for
an interim period before a final determination is made. Every attempt will be made
by the vice president of student affairs or designee to meet with the student before
deciding on an interim withdrawal of the student. If the student is to be withdrawn
on an interim basis, the decision will be communicated in writing to the student.
A student withdrawn on an interim basis shall be given an opportunity to appear personally
before the vice president of student affairs within two school days from the effective
date of the interim withdrawal. Notification of an informal meeting with the vice
president of student affairs will be communicated to the student in writing and/or
orally. The request will include a statement of the reasons for the university's concern.
Appropriate university personnel may be present and/or consulted at this meeting.
A parent, spouse or any person who would be of support to the student may, with the
consent of the vice president of student affairs and of the student, participate in
the informal meeting. At the meeting, the reasons for the university’s concern will
be stated and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the concerns.
If, after the meeting, it is determined that the student does not present a significant
risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of a member(s) of the campus community,
the student will be informed in writing by the vice president of student affairs and
permitted to continue as a student.
If, after the meeting, the vice president of student affairs, in consultation with
appropriate personnel, decides that the student should withdraw from the university,
the student shall be informed in writing of the decision and the basis for the decision
within five (5) school days of the informal meeting. The student may be required by
the university to provide information from a healthcare professional to the vice president
of student affairs indicating the student’s ability to continue at or return to the
university. The counselor for disability services will be involved where a student
seeks a return to the university.
Appeal
If a student wishes to appeal a decision of the vice president of student affairs, the appeal must be made in writing to the president within five (5) university working
days of the receipt of the decision. (All decisions sent to the student via U.S. Mail
will be considered received in three (3) working days.) Following notice to the student,
the president will conduct a meeting with the student, the vice president of student affairs, other appropriate university personnel and a representative or family member selected
by the student to serve as his/her advisor. In addition, the president may require
the student, at his or her expense, to obtain a psychiatric/medical evaluation from
sources external to the university to be presented. The decision of the president
is the university’s final decision.