University Student Initiatives Manual (USI)

Effective: 12/1/1994

Revised: 11/1/2006

USI 104–05: Involuntary Withdrawal from the University in Special Circumstances

Purpose

To provide for involuntary withdrawal from ASU of a student who is a physical threat or who creates an impediment to the lawful activities of others on the university campus

Sources

Deputy Vice President/University Dean of Student Affairs

University Student Initiatives

Policy

Students who are a physical threat to themselves or others, or who create a substantial impediment to the lawful activities or basic rights of other students, university employees, or visitors may be involuntarily withdrawn from ASU. The dean of students or designee may impose conditions for readmission.

Student involuntary withdrawal procedures will be used with caution in recognition of the university’s responsibility to protect the physical safety, health, and welfare of members of the university community through prescribed due process standards. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the dean of students, designee, or the Office of General Counsel.

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Preference for Voluntary Withdrawal

University staff will discuss the circumstances with the student (and family, if needed) and, as appropriate, encourage a voluntary withdrawal of the student from the university. The staff will promptly refer the student to an appropriate resource for evaluation or treatment. If the student does not agree to voluntary withdrawal, an involuntary withdrawal may be initiated. If the student chooses to pursue voluntary withdrawal or withdrawal for Medical/Compassionate Reasons (USI 201–09), and the conditions for involuntary withdrawal are present, the dean of students or designee may impose conditions for readmission.

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Emergency Action

The dean of students or designee may determine that a student’s condition or behavior and continued presence on the university campus pose a threat to an individual (including the student in question), university property, or university function. If it is so determined, the dean of students or designee may involuntarily withdraw or restrict the student’s access to the university campus, university housing, services, and activities, as appropriate, for an interim period before a final determination of the matter.

Such decision shall be communicated in writing to the student and shall become effective immediately upon receipt of such notice by the student. A student will be deemed to have received the notice if the notice has been hand-delivered or delivered by regular mail to the address the student has listed with the University Registrar’s Office.

The involuntary withdrawal or restricted access shall remain in effect until a final decision has been made on the matter, unless before a final decision is made, the dean or designee determines that the reasons for imposing the sanction no longer exist.

A student who is involuntarily withdrawn or whose access is restricted from the campus for an interim period shall be provided an opportunity to appear before the dean of students or designee to respond to the allegations of misconduct no later than five business days following the effective date of the interim action.

Review by the dean of students or designee will begin once the interim withdrawal is in effect.

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Review by the University Hearing Board

The final decision of the dean of students or designee will be provided in writing. This decision is final unless the student requests a hearing before the University Hearing Board to review the imposed expulsion or suspension. Restricted access to the university campus may remain in effect during the period of review except for the student’s appearance before the University Hearing Board. This review is accomplished by filing a written request with the dean of students no later than 20 business days following the posting or personal delivery of the written decision. Student disciplinary procedures defined under section 5-403 of the Student Code of Conduct shall apply.

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Effect on Academic Status

A notation of “W” will appear next to each course on the student’s transcript for the appropriate semester. Tuition and fee refunds, if applicable, shall be based on the effective date of withdrawal determined by the dean of students or designee. Involuntary withdrawals are not assessed against the student’s restricted withdrawal limit, regardless of when processed.

Procedures

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Conditions for Involuntary Withdrawal

An involuntary withdrawal may be considered when the university has substantial evidence that:

1. the student has demonstrated behavior that is a substantial impediment to the lawful activities or basic rights of other students, university employees, or visitors
2. the student demonstrates an apparent threat of harm to self or others

   or

3. the student’s condition interferes significantly with the student’s ability to understand the impact of or to control his or her behavior, or that the behavior is disruptive to his, her, or others’ educational process.

Review by the Dean of Students or Designee

An individual wishing to explore the appropriateness of an involuntary withdrawal or to initiate an involuntary withdrawal should contact the dean of students or designee and provide appropriate documentation. The dean of students or designee will:

1. arrange for an appropriate review process
2. receive, investigate, and examine appropriate records and documentation
3. provide an opportunity for the student to meet with the dean of students or designee to discuss the withdrawal

   and

4. document the findings of the review process and any relevant recommendations.

If the student is eligible for and wishes to pursue voluntary withdrawal, the dean of students or designee will:

1. counsel the student regarding voluntary withdrawal
2. determine conditions for readmission, if appropriate, and advise the student of conditions in writing
3. initiate voluntary withdrawal
4. initiate an administrative withdrawal from any subsequent semester(s) for which the student has already registered

   and

5. place an administrative hold on subsequent registration until the student who has been withdrawn has met conditions for readmission.

If the student does not voluntarily withdraw, the dean of students or designee then may:

1. consult with appropriate university faculty, staff, and community agencies
2. contact parents, subject to FERPA guidelines
3. initiate the involuntary withdrawal process, if appropriate
4. determine conditions for readmission, if appropriate, and advise the student of conditions in writing
5. initiate an administrative withdrawal from any current or subsequent semesters for which the student has already registered

   and

6. place an administrative hold on subsequent registration until the student who has been withdrawn has met conditions for readmission.

Note:

The student may be barred from campus and/or university services and activities during the withdrawal period. The student will receive written notice of the withdrawal as well as the conditions for readmission.

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Readmission

A student removed from the university under this policy may be considered for readmission only with the written approval of the dean of students or designee.

Review by Dean of Students or Designee

A student wishing to be considered for readmission should:

1. contact the dean of students or designee

   and

2. provide appropriate documentation of behavioral change, problem control, and resolution of the initial problem, including compliance with the written conditions of readmission.

The dean of students or designee may:

1. consult with appropriate university faculty, staff, and community agencies

   or

2. contact parents, subject to FERPA guidelines.

The dean of students or designee will:

1. arrange for an appropriate review process
2. receive, investigate, and examine appropriate records and documentation
3. provide an opportunity for the student to meet with the dean or designee to discuss readmission
4. remove the administrative hold on subsequent registration, if appropriate, in order to allow the student to apply for readmission to the university

   or

5. provide the student with written conditions for continued attendance, if appropriate.

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