Self-Care Expectations, Self-Destructive and Threatening Behavior
Appropriate self-care is the responsibility of each student. As members of an adult learning community, students should be able to live and function without causing risk, harm or disruption to the community or its members. Students who are coping or struggling with new or on-going emotional, psychological or physical conditions are encouraged to have a medical or psychological assessment to determine what support services may be needed to promote responsible self-care. Carroll’s Counseling Services are available in a limited capacity to assist students with medical or psychological needs. It is the student’s responsibility to establish relationships with appropriate self-care and personal wellness providers, whether inside or outside the college. While peers and friends can provide emotional or moral support, these persons are not trained or equipped to handle such situations in a professional manner.
Engaging in destructive or disruptive behaviors is inconsistent with the College’s expectations of conduct as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. It is unacceptable to create risk to others, infringe on the rights of others, or create disruption to the educational living/learning environment of the College.
When such cases come to the attention of the College, it will take reasonable and compassionate action which considers the welfare of the individual student as well as the College community. There are limits to Carroll’s capacity to care for and work with students with certain psychological or physical conditions. Therefore, Carroll reserves the right to determine if it can reasonably provide programs, services and resources to a particular student in the context of particular circumstances.
In some instances, a student’s conduct or statements may lead to a reasonable belief that the student is a significant risk to the health or safety of her or himself or to that of others, or there may be a reasonable belief that a student may lack the ability to appropriately participate in community life at Carroll without disruption. Methods Carroll may use in making that determination may include requiring the student to obtain professional evaluation and treatment, communicating with the student’s parents/guardians, or other actions as may be necessary in the circumstances to address the disruption.
A student whose behaviors impart risk to self or others or disrupt the community may be subject to conditional class attendance, removal from campus residence, or leave of absence or withdrawals until Carroll is able to make a determination as to the best course of action for the student and the community.
In the event of a withdrawal under this policy, a student who would like to re-enroll must utilize the College’s re-admission procedures for returning to the Carroll College community. Re-admission will be contingent on receipt of a mental health care provider’s opinion acceptable to the College that the student is capable of self-care, is not at risk of harm to self or others, and is adequately prepared to continue his or her college education, including living independently. Carroll officials will consider the opinions and determinations of a professional provider, but they are not obligated to rely solely on these materials when considering whether the student may return to the campus community.
If re-admission, or continued enrollment for a student who has attempted suicide but has not withdrawn, is permitted, it will be contingent on Carroll’s receipt of an appropriate individualized care plan facilitating the successful continuation of the student at Carroll. The student’s continued enrollment is contingent on compliance with the individualized care plan throughout his or her enrollment at Carroll unless the student’s treating mental health care provider provides the Dean of Students and Retention with written documentation releasing the student from treatment.
The individualized care plan must involve appropriate personnel who should be involved with the student given his/her situation (e.g. Carroll College Counselor or private mental health provider, Associate Director of Counseling Services, Associate Director of Residential Life & Housing, Area Coordinator, student’s family, or Academic Advisor). The student will be required to sign a release of confidential information for each member of the case management team in order for them to collaborate with one another regarding the student’s care plan. Care plans may include, but are not limited to, alternative arrangements in the student’s campus housing and suspension from participating in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities which may include study abroad, service trip, collegiate athletics or club sports in order for the student to concentrate his/her efforts or academic, daily living needs and improvement of mental and emotional health. Failure to comply with the individualized care plan may result in withdrawal from the college.