Involuntary Leave of Absence

In extraordinary circumstances, the University may place a student on an involuntary leave of absence.

The University maintains a Student Health Service and a University Counseling Center to serve the physical and emotional needs of students. Students whose needs are beyond the resources of these offices will be referred to off-campus facilities and service providers when possible. However, a student who cannot adequately be helped by the available facilities, and/or refuses to accept and follow recommended emotional or medical treatment, and/or the student’s behavior renders them unable to effectively function in the residential or University community may be required to leave the University following the procedures below:

1. When, in the opinion of a professional member of the University Counseling Center or Health Service, a student is unable to be adequately helped by either office or by other available facilities, and that the student’s condition renders them unable to function in the University community without harming themselves or others and/or disrupting the educational mission of the institution, the staff member shall notify the Executive Vice President for Student Life or designee of the situation as soon as possible.
2. The Executive Vice President for Student Life, or designee, may require a mandatory assessment if they believe, based on the information available, that a student’s condition renders him/her unable to function in the University community without harming themselves or others and/or disrupting the educational mission of the institution.
3. When the Executive Vice President for Student Life receives notification under paragraph (1), the Executive Vice President for Student Life or designee will seek professional opinion as appropriate, and confer with the student if possible. The student may be required to submit other medical and/or psychological documentation secured independently for consideration and may be accompanied by a support person (friend, relative, faculty member, etc.) to scheduled appointments with University personnel. Failure to appear for a mandatory assessment may result in an involuntary leave of absence without further process.
4. The Executive Vice President for Student Life will receive and consider the input from the appropriate University personnel. If the Executive Vice President for Student Life concurs with the opinion that the student should leave the University, the Executive Vice President for Student Life or designee may consult with the student’s parent(s), guardian, spouse, or other close relative. If the student declines to withdraw from the University, the Executive Vice President for Student Life may authorize an involuntary leave of absence.
5. An involuntary leave of absence will normally be for a minimum of one full semester. Following that period, a student may apply for re-enrollment by completing the application for re-enrollment form which will include submission of a plan that addresses the condition that gave rise to the student’s need for leave (i.e., need for ongoing psychological or medical care; ability to assume class participation). If the student intends to live on campus, the plan will also state how they will transition back into the campus community.
6. The student’s plan will be reviewed by the University Support Team and a recommendation will be made to the Executive Vice President for Student Life who will decide if the student’s request to re-enroll shall be granted or denied. The decision of the Executive Vice President for Student Life is final.