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 Return to: Student Handbook
At Andrews University the health and well-being of students and of our campus community is of primary importance. The University remains committed to assuring that all students have the opportunity to achieve optimal performance and receive the best and most appropriate care. The University retains the right to intervene as deemed necessary to help protect the educational environment or the health and safety of the campus.
Observations of behaviors, reports of activities or conduct that appear to disrupt, jeopardize or threaten the educational environment or the health or safety of a student or others should be shared with the vice president for Student Life and/or the University Student Intervention Team (USIT) via usit@andrews.edu. If there is a direct or imminent threat the observation should be directed immediately to Emergency Services (911) and to the Office of Campus Safety (269-471-3321).
Such observations may include disruptive or dysfunctional behaviors; a suicidal ideation or gesture; self-injurious actions; aberrant actions; threatening statements or behaviors or other symptoms or conduct that may compromise the educational environment or the health and safety of the student or others.
The vice president for Student Life and/or the USIT will facilitate a comprehensive evaluation process that includes a professional assessment and/or investigation of the observations for the purpose of determining the current level of risk or disruption and recommended intervention plan.
Following the evaluation process, the vice president for Student Life may activate an intervention that could result in a medical leave, a change in residential setting, a suspension for a Code of Student Conduct violation, an interim suspension or a separation from campus.
General Processes
- The University will facilitate standard due processes, in which the student will have the opportunity to explore with a member of the USIT or a Student Life dean the nature of the reported concern, as well as the Health, Wellness and Safety policy and appeal process.
- The University will assess the level of risk and take steps to facilitate the safety of the student and/or the campus community.
- When deemed necessary, the University will initiate a plan to provide protective care for the student and/or take steps to ensure the safety of the campus community until an evaluation can take place that includes an individualized professional assessment. University Medical Specialties and/or the Counseling & Testing Center may be consulted. (In some cases, students may be transported by ambulance directly to a local emergency facility following a 911 call.)
Evaluation Processes
- To assess the level of risk, the student may be asked to obtain a comprehensive medical and/or psychological assessment from a licensed physician or psychologist and sign a release of information (ROI) to the vice president for Student Life and the USIT. Information may include a written report of the findings of the assessment and recommended intervention plan.
- The student may be asked by the licensed physician or psychologist to provide pertinent reports and corroborative information from former educational entities or healthcare professionals.
- In cases of potential harm to self, residence hall students may not be able to reside in the residence hall during the assessment process due to the potential disruption to other students and the inability of residence hall staff to provide monitored care. Parents or students may be asked to provide a plan of monitored care during the assessment process.
- In the case of an investigation regarding threats to others, a background check may be conducted and the student may be asked to provide additional information.
- Parents, legal guardians, spouse or family designee (as reflected in the student’s emergency contact records) generally are notified and encouraged to share relevant information.
- The student is responsible for all fees related to medical or psychological assessment.
- The vice president for Student Life and/or the USIT will review all corroborative information, professional assessments and recommendations to determine the appropriate University response.
Medical Accommodation (Within Semester)
A medical accommodation offers a student a limited time away during the semester for documented physical or psychological health reasons. A student can remain enrolled while exploring with the Student Success Center the potential for receiving accommodations in one or more classes. A revised academic plan will vary depending upon course load, course requirements and current academic standing within the course.
Medical Leave
A medical leave may be granted for documented physical or psychological health reasons and may result in a withdrawal from all classes while retaining general student status. During this time access to campus services will be limited. The medical leave and related reinstatement process is designed to insure that the student is sufficiently recovered to return to rigor inherent in academic and campus life expectations that apply to all students. Criteria for reinstatement address the University’s need to be confident, in consultation with the student and healthcare providers, that the student will be safe in an unsupervised environment and can adequately monitor his or her health.
A medical leave (with appropriate documentation), in certain circumstances, may help students protect their academic record, maintain their visa status (if applicable) and avoid adverse effects to their student loans, grants and scholarships.
- A student and his/her parents may request a medical leave when appropriate documentation is obtained from a licensed physician or psychologist.
- The vice president for Student Life and/or the USIT may approve and facilitate a student’s request for a medical leave.
- Students should expect that the established tuition adjustment schedule will be followed based on the number of calendar days they have been enrolled.
- Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisor and student financial advisor. International students should seek counsel from the Office of International Student Services & Programs to insure compliance with governmental visa regulations.
- A student and his/her parents may request an extension of a medical leave when appropriate documentation is obtained from a healthcare professional.
Reinstatement from Leaves
- In considering a student’s request for reinstatement from a leave, the vice president for Student Life and/or the USIT may require current documentation from a licensed physician or psychologist of:
- a student’s readiness to return to the rigor inherent in academic and campus life expectations for all students,
- a student’s ability to be safe in an unsupervised environment and an ability to adequately monitor his or her health and
- any recommendations for follow-up or aftercare intervention and support.
Conclusion
The continuing status of a student will be contingent upon the fulfillment of this Health, Wellness and Safety policy. Failure to follow a directive of a University official is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and may jeopardize the status of the student.
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