Division of Campus Life

Behavioral Intervention:  Required leave of absence for health and safety reasons

The College endeavors to provide a safe and orderly environment, insofar as possible, in which all students are able to pursue their academic and social development. In general, students whose behavior violates the Code of Conduct will be referred for disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook without regard to whether they might also have a medical or psychological condition. In those rare circumstances where a student’s medical or psychological health condition results in behavior that 1) threatens their own health or safety; 2) the health or safety of others; or 3) consistently interferes with the educational process, the College has the right to place a student on temporary leave for health or safety reasons.

A student whose behavior appears to meet the criteria for posing a serious risk to his/her own or others’ health or safety, and/or the educational process, will be subject to review by members of the Behavioral Health and Safety Review Committee. The Committee is chaired by the Dean of Students; additional members include the Directors of Health, Counseling, and Residence Life, and two Associate Deans of the College. If the Committee determines that the information about the student’s behavior warrants further action, the Dean of Students will inform the student in writing that he or she is required to 1) meet with the Dean of Students and 2) undergo an evaluation conducted by either the Director of Counseling Services (or designee) and/or by the College Physician (or designee). In certain circumstances, such as when a student has attempted suicide, the Dean of Students may place the student on immediate temporary leave without prior consultation with the full committee. The student may not return to campus without complying with established readmission procedures (available from the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of the Dean of the College).