Mandated Leave Policy

Definition

One of Chaminade University’s primary responsibilities is to provide and promote a healthy and safe academic environment for all members of the university community. When current medical documentation and/or the best available objective evidence (not speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations) indicates that there is a significant risk to the safety, health, or well-being of the individual students or the university community, the university must take action. In order to assist students in maintaining their health and welfare, the university provides a number of services, including the Counseling Center, Campus Ministry, and Campus Security. The use of these services by students is encouraged so that they may remain healthy and safe. Whenever it becomes clear that a student is behaving in a manner that is not consistent with their emotional or physical well-being, it may become necessary for the university to take action.

Chaminade University takes seriously all threats or behaviors that:

1.      Pose a significant risk to the health, well-being and safety of self or others, or would cause significant property damage, or directly and significantly impede the lawful activities of others, regardless of the degree of lethal means involved or threatened; or

2.      Disturb the educational or residential environment.

In situations where students are in danger, the university’s primary concern is the prevention of harm. When such situations arise, the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or designee will immediately evaluate such situations and determine a course of action. As such, if the behavior of a student is judged to be endangering self, another person, and/or property, the university will take steps necessary to prevent this. This may entail removing the student from the university environment through suspension and/or removal from university-managed housing and/or transfer to a different setting, including, where appropriate, the supervision of parents/guardians or the supervision of a hospital.

Behaviors that may require immediate removal or resolutions: threat to self, threat to others, disturbance of the community, disturbance of the educational environment, criminal activity, possession of weapons, and/or other activities so determined by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.

When the parents or guardians themselves are unable to come to campus within a specific period, they must make arrangements for the student to leave campus within a specific timeframe that provides for the safety of the student between the time she or he leaves campus and reaches an off-campus, agreed-upon location for the student to stay while on leave.

Procedure

When the university takes action under this policy, the student will be notified in writing of the inappropriate behavior. The student will be temporarily withdrawn from the university and/or campus immediately. The withdrawal will remain effective until the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students and the appropriate university officials reach a final decision regarding the student’s future status with respect to the university. At any time, the student may terminate the process by withdrawing from the university voluntarily. During the evaluation process, the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students may require that an assessment be performed by an appropriate professional to determine the appropriateness for the student to return to the university. Once a student has been removed from the university through the above procedures, it is the student’s financial responsibility to secure safe transportation to their destination.

Return

At the time that a university-initiated leave is implemented, the student will be notified in writing of the conditions or requirements that must be satisfied in order to be eligible to return. These may include, but are not limited to:

·       An evaluation and assessment by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician in order to demonstrate that the student is no longer a legitimate safety risk or direct threat to the safety & well-being of the individual student or others. The university may request to speak with the professional conducting the evaluation and/or assessment.

·       Any other conditions outlined in writing to the student at the time of leave and/or any related conduct sanctions imposed must also be completed.

In order to determine the student’s eligibility to return, it will be necessary for the student to complete the required conditions or requirements. The Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students will review the conditions and requirements, consulting with appropriate university official(s), as needed.

If it is determined that a student may return to campus, doing so will be contingent upon agreeing to and complying with any stipulations by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. In addition, return will be contingent upon agreeing to and adhering to any treatment regimen prescribed by a health professional.

Failure to strictly adhere to the required stipulations may result in:

·       Removal from university housing,

·       Suspension from the university,

·       Restriction from the university campus, or

·       Expulsion from the university.

 Refunds will be determined by the University refund policy contained in this handbook.