STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Section 6 - Policy for Involuntary Leave for Students with Mental Health Issues

Involuntary Leave

1. In the uncommon circumstance that a student cannot safely remain at Otterbein College or meet academic standards even with accommodations and other supports, Otterbein College may require the student to take a leave of absence from classes or from Campus housing, or both.
2. Decisions whether to impose an involuntary leave will be recommended to the Vice President for Student Affairs by a committee that includes counseling services, security, housing, academic affairs, disability services and judicial.  The committee will be chaired by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
3. The committee may recommend an involuntary leave for safety reasons if it finds, after an individualized assessment, that there is a significant risk that the student will harm him/herself or another, and that the risk cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level through accommodations.
4. In making its recommendation, the committee will:
   • Consider whether there are accommodations that would allow the student to meet academic standards and remain safely in school, and
   • If safety is an issue, consider the nature and severity of the risk, the probability that injury will actually occur, and whether accommodations can sufficiently mitigate the risk.
   • If campus housing is involved, consider whether the student can remain in the housing situation without significant disruption of the environment.
5. Before making its recommendation, the committee must:
   • Notify the student that the college is considering the imposing an involuntary leave and the basis for the committee’s belief that the student may need to be placed on involuntary leave.
6. The committee may inquire into a student’s current condition, including requesting recent mental health information and records, but must confine its inquiry to information and records necessary to make a determination.  The psychological safety assessment required by the College will be made available to this committee for review.
7. If the committee recommends an involuntary leave because it judges there is a significant risk that the student will harm self or another if he/she remains on campus, the committee may restrict the student’s interactions with the campus community during the period of leave.  Such restrictions may include limits on the student’s communications with faculty, staff or other students and on the student’s access to the campus, for example to visit friends or attend campus events.
8. The same arrangements for refunds of tuition or other costs will be available to a student who takes a leave of absence for mental health reasons, whether voluntary or involuntary, as are available for a student who takes a leave of absence for physical health reasons.
9. A student on leave, whether voluntary or involuntary, may request at any time to return to Otterbein as a student.
10. The student will be required to demonstrate that they are fit to return.  An opinion from the student’s treating mental health professional that the student is fit to return should, in most cases, be sufficient to allow the student to return.  The college may seek a second opinion.
11. In evaluating a student’s request to return, Otterbein will follow the process described in paragraphs 4-6.  A student’s request to return may be denied only if the committee finds that the student will not be able, upon return, to meet academic standards or be safely at the school/campus even with accommodations.
12. A student who desires to return to school after taking a leave of absence for mental health reasons will not be subject to more rigorous standards or procedures than a student who desires to return to school after taking leave of absence for physical reasons.    

Alternate Housing While Enrolled

13. In the uncommon circumstance that a student does not meet the standard for imposition of involuntary leave but cannot safely remain in college housing even with accommodations; Otterbein may require the student to live in housing other than college housing while enrolled.
14. Decisions whether to require a student to leave college housing will be made by the committee identified in paragraph 2 according to the process described in paragraphs 4-6.
15. The committee may, in addition, restrict the student’s entering college housing – for example, to visit friends – as needed to prevent a significant risk that the student will harm himself or others.
16. The student may continue to attend classes, extracurricular activities and campus events; maintain normal contact with teaching, administrative and other staff; and otherwise visit friends on campus.
17. A student on leave from campus housing, whether voluntary or involuntary, may request at any time to return to Otterbein housing as a resident.
18. Points #8, 14, 15 and 16 apply to the situation where student requests readmissions to campus housing.