Appendix F - Involuntary Withdrawal Policy

A. Introduction
The procedure for involuntary administrative withdrawal of a student from the University are to be used only after reasonable attempts to secure voluntary cooperation for psychological evaluation or withdrawal have been exhausted, and will be used only after thoughtful consideration by members of the Student Affairs staff. As described below under Section C., “Procedures,” a student will be subject to involuntary administrative withdrawal from the University when, in the judgment of the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling and Health Services and the Medical Director of the University Health Center, there is a substantial possibility that the student, as a result of a physical or psychological condition;

1. Will harm himself or herself or others, or 2. Will cause significant property damage, or 3. Will be substantially unable, even with the help of auxiliary aids, to meet his or her responsibilities as a student, or 4. Will be unable to care for his or her daily physical needs without assistance and has failed to secure such assistance.

The Dean of Students will initiate a review through either this process or the University’s student disciplinary process. If the student has engaged in an activity which subjects him or her to University disciplinary action, the matter will be handled through the University’s student disciplinary process unless the Dean of Students determines that the student, as a result of psychological conditions:

1. Lacks the capacity to respond to pending disciplinary charges against him or her, or 2. Did not know the nature or wrongfulness of the conduct at the time of the offense.

B. Interim Withdrawal
An Interim Withdrawal may be implemented immediately by the Dean of Students if the Dean determines, based upon a qualified medical or psychological opinion, that the student may be suffering from a mental or psychological disorder and that the student’s behavior poses an imminent danger of causing physical harm to the student or to others, of causing significant property damage, or of substantially impeding the lawful activities of others. A student withdrawn on an interim basis shall be given an opportunity to appear personally before the Dean of Students within two (2) school days from the effective date of the interim withdrawal in order to review the following issues only:

1. The reliability of the information concerning the student’s behavior and 2. Whether or not the student’s behavior poses a danger of causing imminent physical harm to the student or to others, causing significant property damage, or substantially impeding the lawful activities of others. Unless the Dean of Students determines otherwise, the student will remain withdrawn on an interim basis pending completion of the procedures described below.

C. Procedures
1. Meeting with the Dean of Students. A student may be requested in writing and/or orally (depending on the urgency of the situation) to attend an informal meeting with the Dean of Students for the purpose of determining whether the student, as a result of a physical or psychological condition, falls within one of the four categories described in Section A., “Introduction,” above, and, if so, the necessity for withdrawal. Such a request will include a statement of the reasons for the University’s concern. The Director of Counseling and Health Services and the Medical Director of the University Health Center will attend the meeting. Other appropriate personnel may be present and/or consulted. Parents, spouse, or any person who would be of support to the student may, with the consent of the Dean of Students, and of the student, participate in the informal meeting. At the meeting the reasons for the University’s concern regarding the student will be stated and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to these concerns. If, after the meeting, the student is found not to fall within one of the four categories described in the “Introduction” above, he or she will be so informed in writing by the Dean of Students and allowed to continue as a student.
2. Dean’s Withdrawal Decision. If, after the informal meeting, the Dean of Students, the Medical Director of the University Health Center, and the Director of Counseling and Health Services, decide that the student should withdraw from the University and be permitted to re-enter the University only with their approval, the student shall be informed in writing of such decision and the basis for the decision within five (5) school days of the informal meeting.
3. Voluntary Withdrawal. If the student agrees to withdraw voluntarily from the
University, regular withdrawal procedures will be followed. The student may be
permitted to withdraw voluntarily without grades if, in the judgment of the Dean of Students (after consultation with the approval by the student’s instructors), the circumstances warrant such action.
4. Notice of Refusal to Withdraw Voluntarily. If the student fails to accept the decision of the withdrawal and refuses to withdraw from the University voluntarily, the student shall notify the Dean of Students of such refusal within five (5) school days of receipt of the written decision. If the student fails to notify the Dean of Students of such refusal within five (5) school days of receipt of the written decision, the student will be deemed to have waived his or her right to appeal the withdrawal decision.
5. Appeal. The student may appeal the withdrawal decision to the Vice President for Student Affairs within five (5) school days of receipt of the written decision. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall hear the matter after notice to the student, the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling and Health Services, and the Medical Director of the University Health Center. The student may be accompanied and assisted at the hearing by an advisor of the student’s choice, provided the advisor is an employee or student of the University or a member of the student’s immediate family and the advisor agrees to act as the student’s advisor. The student, the student’s advisor, the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling and Health Services, and the Medical Director of the University Health Center may attend the hearing and present evidence. In addition, the Vice President for Student Affairs may require the student, at his or her expense, to obtain a psychiatric/medical evaluation from sources external to the University to be entered as evidence. The hearing shall be conversational and non-adversarial. Formal rules of evidence will not apply. The issues or concerns to be resolved by the Vice President for Student Affairs shall be as follows:

a) Whether the student, as a result of a physical or psychological condition, falls within one of the four categories described in Section A., Introduction, above; and b) If so, whether the student should be involuntarily withdrawn from the University.

6. Findings; Decisions. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall prepare a written decision containing findings and conclusions. Copies of the decision shall be furnished to the student, the Dean of Students, the student’s advisor, the Director of Counseling and Health Services, and the Medical Director of the University Health Center. The decision of the Vice President for Student Affairs shall be final and conclusive and not subject to appeal.
7.Action by Designee. Whenever an action may be or is required to be taken
under this policy by the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling and Health Services, or the Medical Director of the University Health Center, the action may be taken by the person’s designee.
8. Deviations from Established Procedures. Reasonable deviations from these procedures will not invalidate a decision or proceeding unless significant prejudice to a student may result.