Student Behavioral Concerns Committee Policies
Health and Safety Policy and Procedure for Involuntary Student Removal from the University Programs, Campus or University Housing and Return
Nova Southeastern University is committed to the safety, health, and well-being of all members of the University community. NSU recognizes that students may experience situations that significantly inhibit their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as students. When such circumstances arise, NSU encourages students to explore the availability of a voluntary separation either through an administrative break in enrollment, leave of absence from their academic program or separation from university housing so that the students may address the issues precipitating the need for the break/leave of absence/separation and later return to NSU with an enhanced opportunity to achieve their educational goals.
Students will be provided the option to voluntarily separate through an administrative break in enrollment and/or leave of absence and/or vacate university housing before a decision is made by NSU with respect to involuntary removal; however, there may also be circumstances where NSU may immediately remove a student from the University, Campus or University Housing, without providing the student the option for a voluntary administrative break in enrollment, leave of absence or separation from university housing, in accordance with this procedure.
Involuntary Student Removal, under this policy, includes removal from University Programs, Campus and University Owned Property and Student Housing.
Nothing in this policy shall preclude NSU from utilizing other applicable policies and procedures such as those in the Student Code of Conduct, Residential Living Guide and academic program handbooks, or from immediately removing a student from class, clinical or campus in the event of an emergency. In situations involving an imminent or ongoing threat of harm to the student or any other member of the University community, the Dean of Students or designee, in the exercise of their reasonable judgment, may remove a student immediately from campus temporarily and prohibit them from entering NSU’s campus or facilities utilized for University programs or activities while the individualized assessment and review, described in Section III of this Policy, are taking place. Students must continue to follow the NSU Code of Student Conduct and all NSU policies and procedures while on an administrative break in enrollment or while on a leave of absence. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prevent the University from requiring students to, at all times., meet the college/program essential eligibility requirements and technical standards.
Consistent with NSU’s nondiscrimination policy, NSU prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of any type of disability or characteristic protected by applicable law. NSU also offers a range of resources, support services, and accommodations to address the physical and mental health needs of students.
However, in rare cases, a student’s needs may require a level of care that exceeds the care that NSU can appropriately provide. Requiring a student to take an administrative break in enrollment or vacate university housing may be necessary where current knowledge about the individual student’s medical condition and/or the best available objective evidence indicates that:
NSU utilizes the Student Behavioral Concerns Committee (SBCC), which is a subset of the Student CARE team, to determine if an involuntary removal is warranted based upon the above criteria. If the above criteria are met, the SBCC has the authority to place the student on an involuntary break in enrollment or remove a student from university housing in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section III below. An involuntary administrative break in enrollment or removal from university housing is not a disciplinary sanction and may not be intended or interpreted as punitive in nature.
1. The NSU Dean of Students may be notified about a student who may meet the criteria of removal from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, the student, faculty, academic advisors, residence hall staff, coaches, or administrators. The Dean of Students will use this policy when (a) a student demonstrates lack of clear judgment, suicidality, self-destructive behavior, or has untreated or uncontrollable medical or mental conditions which result in actual or possible imminent danger of injury to self or members of the NSU community, b) fails to comply with requirements to adhere to the instructions and guidelines of the counseling, clinical, or medical staff of the providers at the NSU Center for Student Counseling and Well-Being or private treatment provider, as a result of an episode of mental or medical crisis intervention c) the student behavior interferes with the educational process and/or the orderly operation of the University in-person or virtually; or (d) deemed appropriate by the Dean of Students based upon the best interest of the student.
2. The Dean of Students will issue a written notice to the student that an involuntary removal is under consideration. The written notice will include the reason(s) why the student is being considered for an involuntary removal, contact information for various NSU resources, including but not limited to, the NSU Office of Student Disability Services (which can provide information about accommodations), and a copy of this policy. Generally, notice will be provided at least 24 hours prior to the imposition of involuntary break. The notice will encourage the student to respond within a specified time period with any information they would like the SBCC to consider. In addition, the notice will include a request to meet with the NSU Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, a member of the SBCC, is also an administrator with knowledge of NSU’s involuntary administrative break in enrollment process who will serve as a resource to answer any student questions about the process from referral through return to NSU.
3. The Dean of Students will convene the SBCC to review the behaviors of concern and any other relevant information regarding the student. The SBCC is responsible for conducting individualized assessments of students who meet the criteria outlined in Section II of this Policy. The SBCC is the deciding body and will make the decision whether to involuntarily remove a student. The SBCC’s standing members consist of the following University personnel: the Dean of Students, the Assistant Director of Student Conduct, NSU Title IX Coordinator, NSU Director of Public Safety, NSU Director of Residential Life, Director of Student Disability Services, NSU Associate Director of Field Operations, a representative of the College of Psychology, and a representative of the Health Professions Division. However, the Dean of Students may appoint other and/or alternative University officials to join the SBCC on a temporary ad hoc basis as the circumstances may warrant. The Director of Student Disability Services is a non-voting member of the SBCC and is present to offer resources, recommendations, and assistance to the SBCC. The Dean of Students is also a non-voting member. At least three (3) members of the SBCC, excluding the Dean of Students, must be convened to issue involuntary removal. The SBCC’s decision need not be unanimous but a simple majority of those convened is required to render a decision.
4. The SBCC will consider all relevant information including the following:
5. As the SBCC seeks information regarding the student’s ability to function academically and safely at the University with or without reasonable accommodations, the SBCC may request information from the student’s healthcare providers. To that end, the SBCC may request that the student execute a release of information providing NSU personnel temporary authority to obtain information from the student’s healthcare provider(s), and/or documentation from a third-party provider, regarding issues relevant and appropriate to the consideration of a removal when there is a need for NSU to have access to that information as part of the interactive process and individualized assessment. If the student refuses to execute a release of information, the SBCC may proceed with the assessment based on information in their possession at the time.
6. The SBCC may also request to speak with the student’s treatment providers. The SBCC will give significant weight to the opinion of the student’s treatment provider(s) regarding the student’s ability to function academically and safely at the University with or without reasonable accommodations. If the SBCC determines that the information provided by the treatment provider is incomplete, requires further explanation or clarification, or is inconsistent with other information in the student’s record, the SBCC, with proper authorization, may contact the treatment provider(s) to obtain additional information. In certain circumstances, the University may require the student to undergo an additional evaluation by an objective professional designated by NSU, if the SBCC believes it will facilitate a more informed decision.
may require the student to undergo an additional evaluation by an objective professional designated by NSU, if the SBCC believes it will facilitate a more informed decision.
7. The SBCC will consider potential reasonable accommodations and/or modifications that could obviate the need for removal, such as the option to take a leave of absence, a voluntary administrative break in enrollment, academic accommodations, housing and dining accommodations, and modifications to University policies, rules, and regulations. This includes consulting with the NSU Office of Disability Services, and/or other appropriate offices as needed, to determine if there are reasonable accommodations that would permit the student to participate in the NSU community without involuntary removal.
8. When conducting an individualized assessment regarding a student’s status, the SBCC may also confer, as feasible and when appropriate in a particular matter, with individuals regarding the need for removal. This may include, but is not limited to, faculty, academic advisors, residence hall staff, coaches, administrators, and/or other individuals as may be appropriate in an individual matter.
9. The SBCC will pay particular attention to the factors established in Section II of this policy. Before involuntarily removing a student , the SBCC will conduct an individualized assessment as to each factor, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or the best available objective evidence, should ascertain: the nature, duration, and severity of the risk or disruption, the probability that the risk or disruption will actually occur, and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures will adequately mitigate the risk or disruption so as to eliminate the need for an involuntary administrative break in enrollment.
10. Following the SBCC’s review of the relevant information, the SBCC will make a determination regarding the imposition of an involuntary removal. The three (3) possible outcomes of this process are the SBCC determines that the student:
11. Upon review of the SBCC’s decision, the SBCC Chair will provide written notice to the student of the final decision. The written notice of decision will include information about the student’s right to appeal and to any applicable reasonable accommodations during the appeal process. The review and notice of decision, under this policy, should be done in a reasonably timely manner.
12. Within five (5) business days of receiving the decision of the SBCC chair or designee, the student may submit an appeal, in writing, to the NSU Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee. The written request for appeal must specify the particular substantive and/or procedural basis for the appeal and must be made on grounds other than general dissatisfaction with the decision. The permissible bases for appeal are as follows:
After reviewing the matter fully, the Vice President of Student Affairs will issue a written decision affirming, modifying, or reversing the involuntary removal decision. The Vice President of Student Affairs’ decision will be final, and no other appeals or grievance procedures are available.
A student will not be allowed to return to NSU until the removal period in the notification has elapsed and all conditions and/or requirements have been met.
Thereafter, a student must make a written request to the NSU Dean of Students to apply to return to the University. An involuntary removal will remain in effect until the SBCC determines, following an individualized assessment conducted by the SBCC based on the best available objective evidence, that the student is:
The SBCC may require the student to provide evidence that the student has sufficiently addressed the issues that previously established the criteria for imposing an involuntary removal. The SBCC may also ask, confer with, or seek information from others in making the determination.
All returning students must meet the essential eligibility requirements and any technical standards of the University, as well as, any applicable standards of the relevant school or department, with or without reasonable accommodations.
If the SBCC determines that the student is not ready to return to NSU, the student will be notified, in writing, of the decision, including the reason for the decision, within a reasonable amount of time after the student has submitted the request for return and required documentation. The student is not permitted to appeal the decision.
Nothing in this policy precludes commencement of student conduct processes upon return.
Students who are placed on an involuntary administrative break in enrollment or removed from housing may want to consult with the following offices, where appropriate:
Office of Student Disability Services
Office of Student Financial Assistance
NSU Residential Life and Housing