Involuntary Leave of Absence

In the uncommon circumstance that a student cannot safely remain at the College or meet academic standards, even with accommodations and other supports, the College reserves the right to require the student to take a mandatory leave of absence.  The Director of Compliance and Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, or their designee, in consultation with appropriate healthcare provider(s), will make the decision to require a student to take a leave of absence based on an objective assessment of the student’s ability to safely participate in the College’s programs utilizing the following assessment criteria:

1. 1. The student presents an immediate danger to self or others by threatening and/or inflicting bodily harm to self or to others.

   2. The student’s behavior has the potential to result in bodily or other substantial harm to self or others.

The assessment will determine the nature, duration and severity of the risk; the probability that any potentially threatening behavior will occur; and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures will sufficiently mitigate the risk. In the event that a determination is made to require a student to take an LOA after a thorough assessment, the College will notify the student in writing.

Appeal of Involuntary Leave of Absence

After the College initiates a mandatory LOA, within three business days, the student may initiate an appeal in writing to the appellate officer following the instructions set forth in the notification letter.  A student may not be on college property during the appeal period. An appeal can only be made based on the following criteria:

1. 1. The decision is unreasonable based on the circumstances.

   2. The procedures and/or information relied upon in making the decision were wrong or unfair.

The written appeal should clearly state the specific unreasonable, wrong, and/or unfair facts and should present relevant information to support the statements. To aid in review of the student’s appeal the College President, or their designee, may request an assessment by an outside healthcare provider of the student’s functional ability to return to the College by an outside healthcare provider to aid in their review of the student’s appeal. The appellate officer will review the appeal and will respond to the student in writing within three business days. The response will provide a conclusion as to whether or not the College Initiated LOA is upheld, or the appeal is granted upon a thorough review of the relevant facts.