Emergency Mental Health Withdrawl
and Readmission Policy and Procedures

I.  POLICY

A.  The University of Michigan Regents’ Bylaw 2.01 and the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities authorize the President of the University and Vice President for Student Affairs respectively to remove a student from the University.  In addition to disciplinary action that may be taken under other University policies and procedures, the University reserves the right to request or require students to withdraw from the University for reasons pertaining to mental or physical health when the student’s behavior is a direct threat of harm to themselves or others or when a student’s mental or physical health-related behavior significantly disrupts the ability of other students, faculty or staff to participate in the educational programs or employment opportunities offered by the University.  This policy does not supplant any academic performance or discipline based withdrawal or dismissal policies maintained by academic units.

B.  Students who withdraw or are withdrawn from the University by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee pursuant to this policy may be considered for readmission following a determination by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee that the behaviors requiring withdrawal are, for the most part, eliminated.  The determination of readmission is made in conjunction with the Mental and Physical Health Advisory Team (Team) which will be appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee in accordance with the needs of each individual case.  In making the determination on readmission, the Team will consider information from campus professionals and relevant material submitted by the petitioning student.

II.  PROCEDURES

A.  Emergency Interim Withdrawal

1. If, for reasons pertaining to mental or physical health, a student’s behavior poses an immediate and direct threat to themselves or others, the Vice President or designee may withdraw the student 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.
2. Every attempt will be made by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee to meet with the student before deciding on an interim withdrawal of the student.  If the student is to be withdrawn the decision will be communicated in writing to the student, the Dean of the student’s academic unit, and other units as appropriate.
3. The emergency withdrawal or restricted access will remain in effect until a final decision has been made pursuant to the procedures below, unless, before a final decision is made, the Vice President or designee determines that the reasons for imposing the interim withdrawal no longer exist.

B.  Withdrawal

A withdrawal may be considered when the University has substantial evidence that:

• a student's behavior demonstrates a direct threat of harm to self or others;
• or the student’s behavior significantly disrupts the ability of other students, faculty or staff to participate in the educational programs or employment opportunities offered by the University. 

An individual wishing to explore the appropriateness of a withdrawal or wanting to initiate a withdrawal should contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.  When circumstances merit, the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will:

• arrange for an appropriate review process to include receiving, investigating, and examining appropriate records and documentation;
• provide an opportunity for the student to meet with the Vice President or designee to discuss the withdrawal;

            and

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

The student may be restricted from campus and/or University services and activities during a voluntary or involuntary withdrawal period.  The student will receive written notice of the withdrawal as well as the conditions for readmission.

1. Voluntary Withdrawal
   If the student is eligible for and wishes to pursue voluntary withdrawal, the Vice President for Student Affairs
   or designee will:
   • counsel the student regarding voluntary withdrawal;
   • consult with the student’s academic unit and other units as appropriate;
   • discuss the circumstances with the student’s family, as appropriate;
   • refer the student to appropriate resources for evaluation or treatment;
     and
   • initiate voluntary withdrawal.
     
2. Involuntary Withdrawal

   If the student does not voluntarily withdraw, the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will:

   • consult with the Mental and Physical Health Advisory Team.  Members of the team will often include representatives from the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel, Office of the Dean of the student’s academic  unit, University Housing, Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Dean of Students and Public Safety.  Other members can be added at the discretion of the Vice President;
   • contact the student’s parents, if appropriate;
   • if appropriate, initiate the involuntary withdrawal process and advise policy adjudicators in the University community with regard to the student’s capacity to participate in academic or nonacademic reviews of the student’s conduct.

C. Readmission

1. A student removed from the University under this policy may be considered for readmission if eligible, based on the student's academic record, in accord with the readmission policies and practices of the student's academic unit.
2. A student wishing to be considered for readmission should contact the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee according to the written conditions for readmission and provide appropriate documentation of behavioral change, and resolution of the initial problem, including compliance with the conditions of readmission.
3. The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will:
   • consult with the Mental and Physical Health Advisory Team;
   • consult with the student’s academic unit;
   • contact the student’s parents, if appropriate;
   • receive, investigate, and examine relevant documentation;
   • provide an opportunity for the student to meet with the Vice President or designee to discuss readmission;
   • if appropriate, initiate the readmission process, provide the student with written conditions for continued attendance and inform any relevant policy adjudicators of the student’s readmission;
     or
   • deny the student’s request for readmission and specify when and if the next request for readmission will be considered and notify the students academic unit and other units as appropriate of the decision regarding readmission.

D.  Effect on Academic Status

In the event of a withdrawal pursuant to this policy, a notation of withdrawal will appear on the student's transcript for all classes taken during that semester.  All tuition paid for courses not completed during the term in which the withdrawal occurred will be refunded.

E.  Effect on Housing Status

If the student has been living in the residence halls and will not continue to do so, the contract will be canceled and fees refunded on a pro-rated basis.

For more information, contact:
The Office of the Dean of Students
(734) 764-7420
http://www.umich.edu/~dofs/welcome.html