As an academic institution committed to challenging the minds and inspiring the souls of its students, LaGrange College treats with great seriousness any situation where a student exhibits behaviors indicating that the student may be a potential threat to self, others, or property, and/or engages in conduct that threatens to interfere with the academic processes of the institution. Threats to oneself exist along a continuum, ranging from suicidal behavior with lethal intent or self-injurious behavior without lethal intent. No matter the type of potentially threatening behavior, even statements made in jest, are considered serious matters and will receive appropriate clinical attention from authorized personnel as they pose a threat to the academic processes of the College.
LaGrange College’s Administrative Withdrawal Policy may be utilized in the following situations: (a) when the student engages in behavior or threatens to engage in behavior that poses a potential threat to self, others, or property; (b) when the impaired functioning of a student is sufficiently disturbing so as to interfere with the educational process of other constituents and/or the orderly operation of the College; and (c) when a student has failed to satisfy requirements of a prior Interim Disciplinary Action issued by the College.
It must be noted that the College’s administrative withdrawal policy is intended to apply to all students in a nondiscriminatory fashion. Students with documented disabilities on file with the institution or who later provide such documentation to the institution will receive an individualized assessment. This assessment may first be conducted by a qualified College employee such as a licensed counselor to make determinations based on observations of the student’s conduct, actions, as well as statements, and not stereotypes or unfounded fears. The College may also require consultations with qualified healthcare professionals to assist the institution judge the risk of substantial harm. Such assessments will enable the institution to determine if the individual is “otherwise qualified” to remain on campus or take classes based on the student’s observed conduct, actions, and statements; decisions will not be based on a slightly increased, speculative, or remote risk of substantial harm. Throughout the evaluation process, College officials and consulting qualified healthcare professionals will also evaluate what reasonable accommodations, if justified by law, may be offered to the student.
Determinations as to when the circumstances meet the conditions of this policy shall be made by the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students in consultation with the Director of the Counseling Center, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or any other appropriate College personnel. In the situation that the Vice President & Dean of Student Engagement seeks to implement the Administrative Withdrawal Policy, one of the following actions may occur:
- Voluntary or Involuntary Referral for Evaluation – The student may be referred for clinical services by a licensed physician and/or mental health provider in the community. Any costs associate with the evaluation will not be covered by the College. If such occurs, the student must submit the identity and credentials of the professional to the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students for approval. The student must also authorize the College to have permission to speak with the professional prior to and following the evaluation and/or treatment. In the case of an evaluation, the student must permit the professional to provide the College with a copy of the evaluation results as well as any treatment plan recommended. The College may mandate that the student follow any treatment plan recommended as a condition of continued enrollment. Any student who fails to complete the evaluation process as required is subject to withdrawal as noted below. After receiving the evaluation, the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students may at her/his discretion:
- Allow the student to continue with no mandated treatment.
- Allow the student to continue pending on-going treatment (failure to comply with required treatment may result in withdrawal) or other accommodations deemed appropriate if applicable.
- Allow the student to take a medical withdrawal from the College.
- Implement an interim administrative withdrawal.
- Dismiss the student from the College.
- Determine other actions deemed appropriate under the circumstances.
- Medical Withdrawals – A student who elects to take a medical withdrawal after being contacted with conditions under this policy may be required by Admissions to submit documentation from the Vice President for Student Engagement or designee verifying that the student is eligible to reenroll.
- Interim Administrative Withdrawal – The Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students or designee may place a student on an interim administrative withdrawal at his/her discretion under this policy. The College may also place a student on an interim administrative withdrawal pending the completion of a referral for evaluation and corresponding decision by the institution and/or for failure to meet any conditions issued under a Disciplinary Interim Action. Notice of the withdrawal may be issued in person, over the phone, via certified mail, or an e-mail to the student’s College e-mail account. The Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students or designee has the discretion to issue the interim administrative withdrawal for a designated period of time, until the completion of conditions issued, or a combination of the two. During the period of withdrawal, the student may be denied access to College property without written permission from the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students, access to the residence halls or academic classes, or privileges for which the student may be otherwise eligible.
After an interim administrative withdrawal, re-enrollment may be requested after demonstrated evidence that the conditions stipulated have been met or after the expiration of any time limit imposed at the time of the withdrawal - whichever is longer. An on-campus interview with appropriate personnel may be required before authorization for re-admittance is issued to Admissions, if necessary. - Administrative Withdrawal – If, based on the evidence available and/or submitted for consideration by the student, it is the opinion of the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students, in consultation with the Director of the Counseling Center, Vice President for Academic Affairs, or other appropriate medical personnel, that the student constitutes a potential risk, the student may be placed on an administrative withdrawal for a designated period of time (typically a period of semesters or years). Following an administrative withdrawal, authorization from the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students or designee must be issued before the student can be considered for readmission from the College’s admission staff.
- Dismissal of Student – If, based on the evidence available and/or submitted for consideration by the student, it is the opinion of the Vice President for Student Engagement & Dean of Students, in consultation with the Director of the Counseling Center, Vice President for Academic Affairs, or other appropriate medical personnel, that the student constitutes a substantial risk, the student may be permanently dismissed from the institution without the potential to reenroll.