Involuntary Medical Withdrawal Policy
I. Introduction
Carroll College strives to foster a learning environment that enables students to participate fully in academic life. Carroll College is committed to the safety, health and well-being of the campus community. Therefore, on those occasions when a student may experience situations that significantly limit their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as students; when a student may have an illness, injury, or psychological condition that impairs their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as a student or community member; and/or the level of care required by the student exceeds the resources available at Carroll College, a medical withdrawal may be necessary. Students who are subject to an involuntary withdrawal re-enroll in Carroll College when they are more able to achieve their educational goals.
As an alternative to invoking this policy, the College will encourage and permit a student to voluntarily withdraw (although restrictions or conditions for return to the College may be imposed).
II. Involuntary Medical Withdrawal
The Dean of Students may require a student to withdraw if current knowledge about the individual’s medical condition and/or the best available objective evidence indicates that a student:
A. presents a substantial risk of harm to self and/or others;
B. is failing to carry out substantial self-care obligations;
C. significantly disrupts the educational and/or other activities of the Carroll College community;
D. is unable to participate meaningfully in educational activities; and/or
E. requires a level of care from the College community that exceeds the resources Carroll College can reasonably be expected to provide for a student’s well-being.
An involuntary withdrawal will be invoked only after determining that there are no reasonable accommodations that would permit the student to continue to participate in the campus community.
III. Individualized Assessment and Written Decision
A. Where appropriate and feasible, the Dean of Students (or designee) will meet with the student and notify the student, in writing, that an involuntary withdrawal under this policy is being considered with a statement of concerns that cause the Dean of Students (or designee) to consider this action. In situations involving an imminent or ongoing threat to the student or Carroll College community, it may be appropriate for the Dean of Students (or designee) to require the student to be away from the campus while the individualized assessment and review are taking place. Students are expected to cooperate in the assessment.
B. The College may require a mental or physical evaluation from an appropriately trained and certified clinician who is not associated with the College nor related to the student if the Dean of Students (or designee) believes such an evaluation of the student will facilitate a more informed decision. Students are expected, if necessary, to sign a release of information to facilitate discussions between the College and the clinician conducting an evaluation.
The Dean of Students may consider relevant documentation made available to them and may confer with individuals who have relevant information about whether withdrawal under this policy is appropriate for a particular student.
D. The student will have the opportunity to respond to the concerns in writing, in person or over the telephone to the Dean of Students.
E. Although the Dean of Students may confer with others, the decision to impose involuntary medical withdrawal is ultimately the decision of Dean of Students. The Dean of Students must provide written notice of the decision to the student.
1. If involuntary withdrawal is imposed, the written decision must address a) a timeframe when the student could be eligible to re-enroll; and b) the conditions the student will need to satisfy to be eligible for re-enrollment. If a involuntary withdrawal is not imposed, the Dean of Students may require conditions for the student’s continued enrollment at Carroll College. These conditions will be put in writing.
Unless the letter from the Dean of Students states otherwise, the imposition of an involuntary withdrawal under this policy is effective immediately upon issuance of the letter and delivery to the student either in person or through the Carroll College student email account.
F. All reviews under this policy should be done in a reasonably timely manner. Where students have been asked to remain off campus while the review is underway, every effort will be made by the Dean of Students to reach a decision within 7 business days, provided the student responds timely to requests for information and evaluation.
IV. Appeal Process
A student subject to involuntarily withdrawn has three (3) business days from receipt of the letter from the Dean of Students to file an appeal of the decision with the Vice President for Student Engagement and Mission Integration. The appeal may relate to the withdrawal decision itself and/or the conditions imposed to remain or to return. The review of the appeal will be completed within five (5) business days and will address the following:
1. Were the proper facts and criteria used to make the decision? Were improper or extraneous facts or criteria used that substantially affected the decision to the detriment of the student?
2. Were there any procedural irregularities that substantially affected the outcome of the matter to the detriment of the student?
3. Given the proper facts, criteria and procedures, was the withdrawal an appropriate outcome?
The Vice President for Student Engagement and Mission Integration may uphold the Dean of Student’s decision without any modifications; modify the Dean of Student’s decision; overturn the Dean of Student’s decision; or return the decision to the Dean of Students for further review.
If the decision is overturned, the Vice President for Student Engagement and Mission Integration may impose conditions for the student’s continued enrollment at Carroll College.
V. Association with the College
Students withdrawn under this policy are not permitted to be present on campus and are not permitted to engage in any College-related activities, unless expressly permitted by the Dean of Students in writing.
VI. Re-enrollment in the College
Except in extraordinary circumstances, a student will not be permitted to re-enroll in the College until the period specified in the Dean of Student’s letter has elapsed and the conditions for return have been satisfied.
To be eligible for re-enrollment, the student must make a written request to the Dean of Students to return to the College at least 45 days prior to the start of the semester in which the student wishes to return. The request must include evidence that the conditions for return to the College have been satisfied (or will be satisfied by the start of the date of return).
A medical and/or mental health professional clinician’s recommendation does not guarantee a student’s right to return to the College. The Dean of Students and Registrar will consider relevant documentation made available to them and may confer with individuals who have relevant information about whether a return to the College is appropriate at this time. The Dean of Students may require further evaluation of the student to determine readiness to return. The college may allow readmission subject to certain conditions and limitations.
If the Dean of Students is not satisfied that the student is ready to return, the Dean of Students will notify the student in writing of the decision, including the reason for the decision. A student not permitted to return or permitted to return with conditions that are unacceptable to the student may appeal the decision under Section IV above.
VII. Application of other College Policies and Processes
A. An involuntary withdrawal is an administrative process; it is not a disciplinary process. It is possible that conduct leading to an involuntary withdrawal under this policy may also be subject to review under the College’s disciplinary process. Nothing in this policy limits the authority of the College to impose discipline for violations of the Student Conduct Code.
B. Nothing in this policy limits the power of the President to take administrative action to ensure the safety of the community.
C. Nothing in this policy relieves a student of financial obligations to the College that were in place at the time an involuntary withdrawal was imposed.
VIII. Academic Considerations
When a student is withdrawn after the beginning of the semester, courses in which the student was enrolled after the drop deadline appear on the student’s transcript as a “W” (withdrew) or “I” (incomplete) as determined by the Registrar.
IX. Housing
Students assigned to a campus residence are no longer eligible to live in campus housing upon the imposition of an involuntary withdrawal. The Residential Life and Housing staff will work cooperatively with the student to make arrangements for the departure from campus housing.