ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY

Title: Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal
Subject: Student Life
Policy No: SL: 2016:17
Applies: University-Wide
Issuing Authority: President
Responsible Officer: Vice President

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of Student Life/Dean of Students
Adopted: 08/14/2015
Last Revision: 08/01/

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2020 
Last Reviewed: 08/01/

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2020

I.  PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for addressing students who poses a significant risk to the safety of any student or campus community due to mental, emotional, medical, or psychological health conditions or other serious concerns.

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Under the direction of the President, the Vice President for Student Affairsof Student Life/Dean of Students, shall ensure compliance and implementation of this policy.

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1. One of the University's purposes is to foster an environment that promotes education, research, service, and the growth and safety of all members of its community. From time to time University officials become aware of a student who may be seriously interfering with this purpose because of a mental, emotional, medical, or psychological health condition, or other serious concern. In these situations, University officials may consider the appropriateness of (1) utilizing the regular student conduct system to address violations of the Student Code of Conduct, or (2) interim suspension or withdrawal for safety reasons. In addition to, or instead of, either of those procedures, the matter may be handled as a safety concern. See Attachment 1.
2. Criteria For Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal
   1. A student will be subject to a Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal if the student poses a significant risk to the safety of any student or campus community.
   2. A student should not be subject to Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal under these procedures when disciplinary, academic or other responses are appropriate and the student's circumstances can be best addressed through those responses.
3. Procedure for Appealing Restrictions
   1. A student may appeal the imposition of any restrictions under this policy, including the interim suspension by submitting a written request, with reasons for the appeal, to the Vice President for Student Affairs of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee) within five (5) business days of receiving notice of any restrictions imposed by this policy.
   2. The decision of the Vice President is the final decision of the University.
4. Procedure For Safety Withdrawal Appeal
   1. A student who is withdrawn from the University due to protective health or safety reasons may appeal the decision to the Vice President for Student Affairs of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee). The appeal must be in writing stating the reasons for the appeal and must be received within five (5) business days of the date the student received notification from the Associate Vice President for of Student Affairs and Life/Dean of Students Students (or designee).
   2. The decision of the Vice the Vice President for Student Affairs of Student Life/Dean of Students is the final decision of the University. See Attachment 2.
5. Reinstatement From an Interim Suspension
   1. A student seeking reinstatement from an interim suspension will be asked to provide information demonstrating that a significant risk no longer exists. Acceptable evidence includes a report from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health professional, or physician (pertaining to the situation) of the student's choosing. See Attachment 3.
6. Failure to Complete the Evaluation Process
   1. A student who fails to complete the required evaluation process will not be permitted to return to the University until the outstanding matter is resolved.
7. Refund Appeal
   1. If a student is unable to return as a result of a continuing significant risk to the safety of any student or the campus community, the student may request a “Registration “Registration Adjustment after a Deadline” pursuant  pursuant to applicable policy. The appropriate withdrawal request form can also be found (Withdrawal request forms). The decision rendered is final.

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1. Failure of a student to provide the required information may result in an involuntary withdrawal or a referral to the student conduct system.
2. At any time a student may apply for a voluntary withdrawal or Leave of Absence by submitting the necessary information pursuant to applicable policy.
3. If safety of students or campus community is an immediate concern, the University may take interim action to protect any member of the University community.
4. By a Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal, the University may remove a student from any or all University premises when the Associate Vice the Vice President for of Student Affairs and Life/Dean of Students (or designee), after consultation with the Situation Threat Assessment Team, after considering the best available objective information determines that, a significant risk to student or campus safety exists.
5. In making the determination, the team shall make an individualized assessment, taking into consideration the risks of safety to the student or campus community, the nature, duration, probability, and severity of the risk, and whether mitigating measures are available to minimize the risk.
6. The student will receive notice of the interim action and be advised of the information relied upon by the University.
7. The Associate Vice President for of Student Affairs and Life/Dean of Students (or designee) will communicate the interim action with the instructors of the student’s currently enrolled courses , College Deans and the Vice President for Student Affairs to inform the various and appropriate offices that the student is not permitted to attend class, be on university property, complete assignments, or conduct university business until the interim suspension has been resolved.
8. A student seeking reinstatement from an interim suspension will be asked to provide information demonstrating that a significant risk no longer exists.
9. Acceptable evidence includes a report from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health professional, or physician (pertaining to the situation) of the student's choosing which states that the student is able to safely return to the educational environment and can engage in the following activities without creating a significant risk to safety of student or campus community:
   1. Attend class;
   2. Perform assigned tasks; and
   3. If assigned to a residence area, live under only very general supervision and in the company of one or more students.
   4. Other evidence may also be acceptable on an individual basis.
10. If a student's return is conditioned upon accommodations, the report from the health care provider should outline the accommodations requested.
11. The Associate Vice President for of Student Affairs and Life/Dean of Students will Students will review the report from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health professional, or physician and in consultation with the Situation Threat Assessment Team, will determine the conditions of approval to return to campus, regarding the student's continued attendance and any conditions which should apply to that attendance, including the matter of the student's place of residence. If necessary, and with the student's written consent, the University's psychiatrist, psychologist, or health care professional may consult directly with the evaluating psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician.
12. The student will be promptly notified of the University’s decision of the student's ability to return and any conditions on such return within three (5) business days of submission of medical documentation or appropriate evidence that a significant risk to safety no longer exists.
13. In some cases, where a significant risk to the safety of students and the campus community will continue indefinitely, a student's status will remain withdrawn. In such cases, the student will be notified. If the student is required to withdraw from some or all classes as a result of a continued significant risk to safety or for other reasons associated with this policy, a grade of W, administratively assigned, will be reflected on the transcript for those particular courses. The student will also be advised concerning the date when a petition for reinstatement will be considered along with any conditions for reinstatement.
14. During the Safety Interim Suspension process, a representative of the University may contact the student's parents or legal guardians, if deemed appropriate, and in accordance with FERPA.
15. In the case of a Global Learning and Partnership student warranting a safety interim suspension, the Associate Vice President for of Student Affairs and Life/Dean of Students will Students will inform Rowan Global Learning and Partnerships administrators, as needed, regarding any safety interim suspension or withdrawal or reinstatement that concern Rowan Global undergraduate, post-bac, or graduate-level students.

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A student who is withdrawn from the University due to protective health or safety reasons may appeal the decision to the Vice President for Student Affairs of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee).

1. The appeal must be in writing stating the reasons for the appeal and must be received within five (5) business days of the date the student received notification from the Associate Vice for Student Affairs and President of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee).
2. The Vice President for Student Affairs of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee) will conduct a review within five (5) business days of receipt of the written request unless extended by the President of the University.
3. Prior to the review, the student will be provided with all the following:
   1. The opportunity to review any psychological or medical evaluations or other evidence relied upon by the Associate Vice President for of Student Affairs and Life/Dean of Students Students (or designee);
   2. A written statement providing an explanation of the reasons for involuntary safety withdrawal and the information relied upon; and,
   3. The opportunity to be assisted by an appropriate advisor at the proceeding who may be a parent/legal guardian, a professional of the student's choice, or legal counsel. Following the review, the Vice President for Student Affairs of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee) will determine whether to:
      1. uphold Uphold the withdrawal.
      2. reinstate Reinstate the student with appropriate accommodations and/or subject to specified conditions as dictated by the individualized needs of the student.
   4. A written decision providing reasons and any conditions will be issued to the student within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the review unless extended by the President of the University.
   5. The decision of the Vice President for Student Affairs is of Student Life/Dean of Students is the final decision of the University

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