Effective Date: August 4, 2021
Responsible Official: Vice President for Student Affairs
Responsible University Offices: Office of Student Affairs, Dean of Students Office
Date of Last Review October 2022
Revision History: October 2022
Review Period: 5 years
Relates to: Students
Summary of Policy
In addition to disciplinary action that may be taken under other University policies and procedures, the University reserves the right to request or require students to withdraw when the student exhibits behavior that poses a direct threat of harm to the University community and/or others. The University will comply with Section 504 in its application of the "direct threat" standard by applying the standard uniformly to all students. This policy does not supplant any academic performance or discipline-based withdrawal or dismissal policies maintained by academic units of the University or the student judicial process. Students who withdraw, voluntarily or involuntarily, from the University pursuant to this policy may be considered for returning to campus life following a determination that their behavior no longer poses a direct threat of harm to the University community and/or others.
Withdrawal
The Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs or designee shall be responsible for implementing this Policy. In making the decision that a withdrawal is necessary because the student's behavior poses a direct threat of harm to the University community and/or others, and therefore creates an emergency, the Senior Associate Vice President or designee will consult with a team of other University officials and the Senior Associate Vice President or designee will also:
- meet with the student, to the extent appropriate, regarding the matter and counsel the student about a voluntary withdrawal;
- consult with other professionals and involved persons as deemed appropriate;
- contact the student's parent(s), guardian(s), emergency contact(s), and/or appropriate authorities, consistent with law and when appropriate; and
- document the findings of the review process and any relevant recommendations.
A "direct threat" is defined as a significant risk of substantial harm to the health and safety of the University community and/or others. A "significant risk" constitutes a high probability of substantial harm and not just a slightly increased, speculative, or remote risk. In determining whether a student poses a significant risk of substantial harm to health or safety, the University will make an individualized assessment, based on a reasonable judgment that relies on current professional knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: the nature, duration, and severity of the risk; the probability that the potential injury may occur; and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices or procedures will sufficiently mitigate the risk. In addition, as to students with psychologically diagnosed disabilities, the Senior Associate Vice President or designee will identify the specific behavior[s] that would pose a direct threat and a student does not pose a "direct threat" simply by virtue of having a history of a psychologically diagnosed disability. A withdrawal, either voluntary or involuntary, may include conditions that need to be satisfied to demonstrate that there is no longer a direct threat of harm to the University community and/or others before a student is eligible to return to campus life. The withdrawal may also require that the student be restricted from campus property and/or University services and activities.
Any decision the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs or designee makes to involuntarily withdraw a student is subject to an appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The student may file a written appeal within seven (7) business days of receiving notice of the involuntary withdrawal decision of the Senior Associate Vice President or designee. The appeal shall include any relevant written documents and information that the student wishes to be considered by the Vice President. In addition, the Senior Associate Vice President or designee shall provide the Vice President with any written documents and information relied upon in making the decision. The decision of the Vice President shall be final.
Emergency Interim Withdrawal
If a student's behavior poses an immediate and direct threat of harm to the University community and/or others, the Senior Associate Vice President or designee may withdraw the student and/or restrict the student's access to the University campus, facilities, services, and activities, as appropriate, for an interim period before a final determination of the matter is made. If the student is to be withdrawn on an interim basis, the decision will be communicated in writing to the student, the Dean of the student's academic unit, and other units as appropriate. Every reasonable attempt will be made by the Senior Associate Vice President or designee to meet with the student before the interim decision is made. The emergency withdrawal and/or restricted access will remain in effect until a final decision has been made unless, before a final decision is made, the Senior Associate Vice President or designee determines that the reasons for imposing the interim withdrawal no longer exist.
Return to Campus Life
After a voluntary or involuntary withdrawal under this Policy, a student wishing to be considered for returning to campus life should contact University Counseling Services to schedule a Reinstatement Assessment Interview. Appointment/interview must be conducted six weeks prior to the semester the student wishes to re-enroll at CWRU. A student withdrawn from the University under this policy may be considered for return only if eligible, based on the student's academic record, in accordance with the policies and practices of the student's academic unit.
In making the decision on whether the student is eligible to return to campus life, the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will consult with University Counseling Services and a team of other University officials and the Senior Associate Vice President or designee will also:
- meet with the student, to the extent appropriate, regarding the matter;
- consult with other professionals and other persons deemed appropriate;
- consult with the student's academic unit;
- receive, investigate, and examine relevant documentation; and
- document the findings of the review process and any relevant recommendations.
The Senior Associate Vice President or designee may decide that the student is eligible for return but also, if appropriate, provide the student with written conditions for continued attendance to ensure that the student's behavior no longer poses a direct threat of harm to the University community and/or others. If the Senior Associate Vice President or designee denies the request, the denial shall specify when and if the next request for readmission will be considered and notify the student's academic unit and other units as appropriate of the decision regarding returning to campus life. A student who has been denied eligibility to return to campus may file a written appeal with the Vice President for Student Affairs pursuant to the same process specified above.
University Records
In the event of a withdrawal pursuant to this Policy, a notation of withdrawal will appear on the student's transcript for all classes taken during that semester, consistent with University policy.
University Housing Status
Students who are living in university housing at the time of their withdrawal (voluntary or involuntary) may not continue to reside in University housing. Their housing contract will be cancelled, and fees refunded on a pro-rated basis if appropriate in accordance with University policy.