(A)
Purpose. When a
health emergency or condition renders a student's continued participation in
university academics, programs, or services impossible, impractical or unsafe
to any member of the university community, the following rules shall apply. The
vice president for student affairs is responsible for the administration of
this rule.
(B)
Voluntary withdrawal procedure. A student who decides
to withdraw from the university for health reasons shall follow the office of
the university registrar's general procedures for withdrawal or petition for
exception to registration, as appropriate. Graduate students may also consider
utilizing the "leave of absence for graduate students" procedure found in rule
3342-3-01.12 of the Administrative Code, if applicable. The associate vice
president for student affairs and dean of students (hereinafter referred to as
the "dean of students"), student ombuds, or regional campus director of
enrollment management and student services may provide guidance to the student
to assist with this process upon request.
(C)
Involuntary
withdrawal procedure.
(1)
Individualized assessment. When the dean of students is
made aware that a health emergency or condition renders a student's continued
participation in university academics, programs, or services impossible,
impractical or unsafe to any member of the university community, the dean of
students shall consult, review and consider appropriate recommendations and any
applicable supporting documentation. This may include recommendations and
documentation of the following, as applicable: the student's recent treating
health care professional(s) (if available and with necessary permissions);
university health care professional(s); the care team; the student (if
available); and, when necessary and in accordance with rule 3342-5-08.101 of
the Administrative Code, the student's parent or guardian. The dean of students
may also consult other applicable resources as appropriate.
(2)
Interim action.
Depending upon the urgency and severity of the health emergency, an interim
action may be necessary while the individualized assessment is ongoing. When
the dean of students has reasonable cause to believe that a student may pose a
risk to the safety or well-being of anyone in the university community, the
student may be issued an interim action. Interim actions may include but are
not limited to: restriction from specific campus facilities or locations;
restriction from facilitating or participating in student organization business
or activities; suspension of student status; etc. An interim action shall
remain in effect until removed or altered by the dean of students or as the
result of this policy's process. A student may appeal an interim action in
writing to the vice president for student affairs. Failure to comply with an
interim action may result in a referral to the office of student conduct and/or
the Kent state university police department.
(3)
Alternatives
considered. During the assessment process above, alternatives to involuntary
withdrawal shall be considered. Such alternatives may include, but are not
limited to, voluntary withdrawal, reasonable accommodations to any known
disabilities, or behavioral contracts.
(4)
Notice of
withdrawal. If, as a result of the assessment in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule,
the dean of students decides that involuntary withdrawal is appropriate, the
university shall withdraw the student from all registered courses. The decision
will be communicated to the student in writing. The notice shall contain the
terms of any interim actions issued pursuant to paragraph (C)(2) of this
rule.
(5)
Appeal. A student may appeal a decision for involuntary
withdrawal in writing to the vice president for student affairs within seven
calendar days of receipt of the notice of involuntary withdraw under this
policy. The vice president for student affairs, or designee (other than dean of
students), will review the appeal and any supporting documentation and provide
a decision in writing within seven calendar days. This is the final level of
appeal. In the event of extenuating circumstances and at the sole discretion of
the vice president for student affairs, the time period in which to submit such
appeal may be extended.
(6)
Tuition credits and fee adjustments. The student may be
eligible for tuition credit or fee adjustments, in accordance with the policies
established by the bursar's office and other relevant departments (for example,
residence services). The dean of students or their designee may provide the
student guidance with those processes.
(7)
Return to
University. A student wishing to return to the university within one year of
involuntary withdraw shall not be required to reapply for admission through the
admissions office. A student wishing to return after more than one year of
absence may be required to reapply for admission to the university and/or
program of study, in accordance with any applicable registration and admission
requirements of the program and of the office of the university registrar. The
student should contact the dean of students at least thirty calendar days prior
to the start of the term the student intends to return to, in order to provide
time to review the student's request and determine eligibility for
re-enrollment. The following procedure shall be followed to determine whether
the student shall be re-enrolled:
(a)
Depending upon the nature and individual circumstances
of the involuntary withdrawal, the dean of students may require one or more of
the following in determining whether to approve a request to return:
(i)
Documentation
from current, relevant healthcare providers supporting the student's ability to
return and be successful at the university. The university may request the
student's permission to communicate with any relevant and current healthcare
providers to obtain this information. If no such information exists, or if
information provided is insufficient, the dean of students may ask the student
to complete an assessment with an on-campus health provider.
(ii)
A statement from
the student describing: the student's experience away from the university,
including any activities undertaken while away; the student's current
understanding of the factors that led to the need for the leave, and the
insights the student has gained from treatment and time away; and how the
student plans to ensure a successful return to the university.
(iii)
A meeting with
the student to review the student's plan for maintaining health and safety
while at the university, including recommendations for ongoing treatment,
reasonable accommodations, and campus support options, when
applicable.
(iv)
Agreement to an individually created ongoing plan for a
successful return to the university, created in consultation with the student
and pursuant to review of the information and materials listed above, as
applicable.
(b)
The dean of students shall consider the information and
materials presented in paragraph (C)(7)(a) of this rule. The dean of students
may also consult with the following, as applicable: the student's recent
treating health care professional(s) (if available and with necessary
permissions), university health care professional(s), the care team, the
student, and any other applicable resources as necessary. A student's failure
to comply with any of the dean of students' requests in paragraph (C)(7)(a) of
this rule may be considered when deciding whether to approve a request to
return to the university.
(c)
The dean of students shall provide a decision regarding
the student's re-enrollment to the student in writing, no more than seven
calendar days after the request to return is received. If more time is needed
to consider the request, the student shall be notified of such in writing. The
appropriate university departments shall also be notified of this
decision.
(d)
A student may appeal a denial of their request to
return under this rule in writing to the vice president for student affairs
within seven calendar days of receipt of the request to return. The vice
president for student affairs shall review the appeal and any supporting
documentation and provide a decision in writing within seven calendar days.
This is the final level of appeal.
Replaces: 3342-4- 02.5