Ohio Administrative Code › Title 3342 - Kent State University › Chapter 3342-4 - University Policies › Section 3342-4-02.5 - Administrative policy regarding voluntary and involuntary withdrawal for health reasons

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A)
								Purpose. When a health emergency or condition renders a
			 student's continued participation in university academics, programs, or
			 services impossible, impractical or unsafe to any member of the university
			 community, the following rules shall apply. The vice president for student
			 affairs is responsible for the administration of this rule.
(B)
								Voluntary
			 withdrawal procedure. A student who decides to withdraw from the university for
			 health reasons shall follow the office of the university registrar's general
			 procedures for withdrawal or petition for exception to registration, as
			 appropriate. Graduate students may also consider utilizing the "leave of
			 absence for graduate students" procedure found in rule 3342-3-01.12 of the
			 Administrative Code, if applicable. The associate vice president for student
			 affairs and dean of students (hereinafter referred to as the "dean of
			 students"), student ombuds, or regional campus director of enrollment
			 management and student services may provide guidance to the student to assist
			 with this process upon request.
(C)
								Involuntary
			 withdrawal procedure.
(1)
									Individualized assessment. When the dean of students is
			 made aware that a health emergency or condition renders a student's continued
			 participation in university academics, programs, or services impossible,
			 impractical or unsafe to any member of the university community, the dean of
			 students shall consult, review and consider appropriate recommendations and any
			 applicable supporting documentation. This may include recommendations and
			 documentation of the following, as applicable: the student's recent treating
			 health care professional(s) (if available and with necessary permissions);
			 university health care professional(s); the care team; the student (if
			 available); and, when necessary and in accordance with rule 3342-5-08.101 of
			 the Administrative Code, the student's parent or guardian. The dean of students
			 may also consult other applicable resources as appropriate.
(2)
									Interim action.
			 Depending upon the urgency and severity of the health emergency, an interim
			 action may be necessary while the individualized assessment is ongoing. When
			 the dean of students has reasonable cause to believe that a student may pose a
			 risk to the safety or well-being of anyone in the university community, the
			 student may be issued an interim action. Interim actions may include but are
			 not limited to: restriction from specific campus facilities or locations;
			 restriction from facilitating or participating in student organization business
			 or activities; suspension of student status; etc. An interim action shall
			 remain in effect until removed or altered by the dean of students or as the
			 result of this policy's process. A student may appeal an interim action in
			 writing to the vice president for student affairs. Failure to comply with an
			 interim action may result in a referral to the office of student conduct and/or
			 the Kent state university police department.
(3)
									Alternatives
			 considered. During the assessment process above, alternatives to involuntary
			 withdrawal shall be considered. Such alternatives may include, but are not
			 limited to, voluntary withdrawal, reasonable accommodations to any known
			 disabilities, or behavioral contracts.
(4)
									Notice of
			 withdrawal. If, as a result of the assessment in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule,
			 the dean of students decides that involuntary withdrawal is appropriate, the
			 university shall withdraw the student from all registered courses. The decision
			 will be communicated to the student in writing. The notice shall contain the
			 terms of any interim actions issued pursuant to paragraph (C)(2) of this
			 rule.
(5)
									Appeal. A student may appeal a decision for involuntary
			 withdrawal in writing to the vice president for student affairs within seven
			 calendar days of receipt of the notice of involuntary withdraw under this
			 policy. The vice president for student affairs, or designee (other than dean of
			 students), will review the appeal and any supporting documentation and provide
			 a decision in writing within seven calendar days. This is the final level of
			 appeal. In the event of extenuating circumstances and at the sole discretion of
			 the vice president for student affairs, the time period in which to submit such
			 appeal may be extended.
(6)
									Tuition credits and fee adjustments. The student may be
			 eligible for tuition credit or fee adjustments, in accordance with the policies
			 established by the bursar's office and other relevant departments (for example,
			 residence services). The dean of students or their designee may provide the
			 student guidance with those processes.
(7)
									Return to
			 University. A student wishing to return to the university within one year of
			 involuntary withdraw shall not be required to reapply for admission through the
			 admissions office. A student wishing to return after more than one year of
			 absence may be required to reapply for admission to the university and/or
			 program of study, in accordance with any applicable registration and admission
			 requirements of the program and of the office of the university registrar. The
			 student should contact the dean of students at least thirty calendar days prior
			 to the start of the term the student intends to return to, in order to provide
			 time to review the student's request and determine eligibility for
			 re-enrollment. The following procedure shall be followed to determine whether
			 the student shall be re-enrolled:
(a)
										Depending upon the nature and individual circumstances
			 of the involuntary withdrawal, the dean of students may require one or more of
			 the following in determining whether to approve a request to return:
(i)
											Documentation
			 from current, relevant healthcare providers supporting the student's ability to
			 return and be successful at the university. The university may request the
			 student's permission to communicate with any relevant and current healthcare
			 providers to obtain this information. If no such information exists, or if
			 information provided is insufficient, the dean of students may ask the student
			 to complete an assessment with an on-campus health provider.
(ii)
											A statement from
			 the student describing: the student's experience away from the university,
			 including any activities undertaken while away; the student's current
			 understanding of the factors that led to the need for the leave, and the
			 insights the student has gained from treatment and time away; and how the
			 student plans to ensure a successful return to the university.
(iii)
											A meeting with
			 the student to review the student's plan for maintaining health and safety
			 while at the university, including recommendations for ongoing treatment,
			 reasonable accommodations, and campus support options, when
			 applicable.
(iv)
											Agreement to an individually created ongoing plan for a
			 successful return to the university, created in consultation with the student
			 and pursuant to review of the information and materials listed above, as
			 applicable.
(b)
										The dean of students shall consider the information and
			 materials presented in paragraph (C)(7)(a) of this rule. The dean of students
			 may also consult with the following, as applicable: the student's recent
			 treating health care professional(s) (if available and with necessary
			 permissions), university health care professional(s), the care team, the
			 student, and any other applicable resources as necessary. A student's failure
			 to comply with any of the dean of students' requests in paragraph (C)(7)(a) of
			 this rule may be considered when deciding whether to approve a request to
			 return to the university.
(c)
										The dean of students shall provide a decision regarding
			 the student's re-enrollment to the student in writing, no more than seven
			 calendar days after the request to return is received. If more time is needed
			 to consider the request, the student shall be notified of such in writing. The
			 appropriate university departments shall also be notified of this
			 decision.
(d)
										A student may appeal a denial of their request to
			 return under this rule in writing to the vice president for student affairs
			 within seven calendar days of receipt of the request to return. The vice
			 president for student affairs shall review the appeal and any supporting
			 documentation and provide a decision in writing within seven calendar days.
			 This is the final level of appeal.
Replaces: 3342-4- 02.5