Involuntary Administrative Withdrawal of a Student Policy

A student may be involuntarily withdrawn from college housing or from the College if the student’s behavior, including inability to care for oneself, poses a threat of significant harm to any person, or significantly disrupts the campus community.  Such action should only be taken when withdrawal of the student is deemed necessary in order to either assure the safety of the student or the campus community or to prevent disruption to the community.

A student who is subject to administrative withdrawal under this policy will be entitled to a hearing before the Dean of Students or designee. If the Dean of Students or designee has reason to believe that imminent harm is possible, the Dean or designee may take any action deemed necessary, which may include, without limitation, removal of the student from class, housing and campus, pending completion of the hearing.

The student will be provided with written notice of the hearing date and time, including a description of the behavior or behaviors prompting the hearing, at least two days before the date of the hearing.

The Student may be assisted by a faculty member, staff member, or another student at the hearing.

The student will have the right to present relevant evidence and call witnesses with relevant information, and to hear and question the evidence and testimony considered by the Dean of Students or designee.

The Dean of Students or designee may request that the student provide the results of an evaluation by a licensed professional with expertise related to the behavior of concern. The Dean may consider such evaluation in making her/his decision.  The Dean of Students or designee may also request the presence of other college faculty or staff who may have information relevant to the substance of the hearing.

If the student is unable or unwilling to attend the hearing on the date and time scheduled, the hearing may be held without the student present.

All hearings will be recorded. This recording will serve as the official documentation of the hearing. The audio record is the property of the College; it is only used by the College in the course of the appeals process, and is maintained by the Dean of Students Office, who will destroy it after the expiration of the appeal time.

The Dean of Students or designee will prepare a written decision and deliver it to the student within five business days of the hearing. If a student is administratively withdrawn from college housing or the College, the Dean or designee will set criteria that the student must meet to re-enter college housing or the College. Such re-entry criteria will be related to 1) student and/or community safety or 2) reducing the future potential for community disruption. Unless delivered in person, a decision shall be considered delivered three (3) days after mailing by regular mail to the postal address on file with the College for the student.

If a student chooses to appeal a decision, they must submit their appeal in writing to the appropriate appellate officer (either the Dean of Students or the Provost, as described below) within five (5) business days. Appeals of decisions reached by a Dean of Students designee must be directed to the Dean of Students. Upon receipt, the Dean of Students may resolve the appeal or delegate that decision to a designee at the Dean’s discretion. Appeals of decisions reached by a Dean of Students shall be heard by the Provost of the College, or Designee.

To receive consideration, a student’s appeal must be full and complete upon its submission, including the basis for appeal and any supporting documentation and argument.

• The original decision will only be reviewed to determine if any of the following conditions were present:
• The original hearing was not conducted in conformity with these procedures, and these procedural deviations had an impact on the decision.
• The decision reached regarding the student was not based on substantial information.
• New information and/or other relevant facts not known at the time of the original hearing could be sufficient to alter the decision.

The appellate officer will review the appeal and may uphold, reverse or remand the decision based only upon the conditions set forth above. All appeal decisions will be delivered in writing and are final.