VOLUNTARY OR INVOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY FOR SERIOUSLY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: To outline the circumstance and requirements for voluntary or involuntary withdrawal of University students.
Scope: This policy applies to all University students campus wide.
Responsible Office: Enrollment Management and Student Success
Policy Statement: When a student engages in behavior that violates the ESU Student Code of Conduct or Academic Dishonesty Policy, those policies and procedures should be followed. However, at times students engage in seriously disruptive behavior that requires swift intervention.
Responses to Seriously Disruptive Behavior
When a student has voiced intent and/or exhibits behaviors that require immediate intervention (e.g. active suicidal or homicidal threat or behavior, etc.), these steps should be taken:
- Contact 911 for life threatening situations. The concerned party will notify ESU Police & Safety to assure safety and to initiate appropriate action.
- ESU Police & Safety will notify administration according to the ESU Emergency Operations Plan (“EOP”). This will include, if deemed appropriate, notifying the Dean of Students or other members of the CARE Team.
- Upon receipt by the Dean of Students, or designee, will evaluate and determine the appropriate response(s), including but not limited to:
- Referral for review by the Vice President for Student Affairs
- Referral to the CARE Team
- Referral under the Student Code of Conduct
- Upon receipt by the CARE Team, the CARE Team will evaluate and refer the matter in accordance with this policy and, if necessary, in conformity with requirements of the University EOP.
When a student evidences behaviors that are seriously disruptive, but not of immediate risk of harm to self or others, these steps should be followed:
- The concerned party will notify the Dean of Students, or designee, or a member of the CARE Team in accordance with University Policies.
- Upon receipt by the Dean of Students, or designee, in the interests of timing and sensitivity to the immediate needs of all parties, the Dean of Students will evaluate and determine the appropriate response, including but not limited to:
- Referral to Vice President for Student Affairs for administrative review
- Referral to the CARE Team
- Referral under the Student Code of Conduct
- Upon receipt by the CARE Team, the CARE Team will evaluate and refer the matter in accordance with the University Policies.
If during these processes the Dean of Students or the CARE Team has reason to believe the seriously disruptive behavior may be related to a diagnosable mental disorder or other condition, procedures prescribing the voluntary withdrawal, or the involuntary withdrawal, of the student from the University should be followed. A student may request a meeting with the Vice President for Student Affairs to appeal a determination that the student be involuntarily withdrawn.
University Action After an Involuntary Withdrawal Because of Behavior Concurrent With a Diagnosed Medical or Mental Health Disorder
Upon involuntary withdrawal because of behavior concurrent with a diagnosed medical or mental health disorder, the University will provide conditions and requirements necessary for reinstatement.
Reasonable efforts should be made to refer the student for appropriate medical or mental health services.
Reasonable steps may be taken to minimize potential financial and academic loss in conformity with other applicable ESU policies.
Reinstatement After a Voluntary or Involuntary Withdrawal from the University
A student who has been withdrawn for reasons of disruptive behavior concurrent with a diagnosed medical or mental disorder may be reinstated only with the approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee. Applications for reinstatement may be made once per semester.
Reinstatement requirements will be tailored to each student’s needs and related to the issue(s) that necessitated the withdrawal. Students wishing to be reinstated should follow the appropriate procedure.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Seriously Disruptive Behavior - Behavior that is disruptive to the maintenance of the academic environment, destructive to University property, or constitutes a threat to the wellbeing of the student or others.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Enrollment Management and Student Success.
[Student and Student Life procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: [coming soon]