4.1 Involuntary Withdrawal
The College of Western Idaho is committed to the well-being and safety of all its community members. Therefore, a student may be involuntarily withdrawn from the College if it is determined that the student presents a danger to self or others. Decisions for involuntary withdrawal will be made by the Dean of Students. A decision for involuntary withdrawal will only be made after less drastic measures have been considered and rejected as inappropriate or insufficient under the circumstances. Prior to any involuntary withdrawal, a student will be encouraged to withdraw voluntarily.
This policy does not take the place of disciplinary action for a student’s violations of College policy. This policy is to be invoked only in extraordinary circumstances where it is determined that other policies are inadequate or inappropriate.
The standard for involuntary withdrawal is clear and convincing evidence that the student represents a danger to self or others. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to, students threatening other individuals with severe bodily harm, students who are not able to care for their own basic needs to the extent that their lack of self-care represents a threat to the health of the campus community, and/or students exhibiting extremely bizarre or destructive behavior. This policy may not be used to involuntarily withdraw a student simply because they exhibit eccentric or unusual behavior.
Prior to involuntarily withdrawing a student, the College may require that the student undergo a mandatory assessment. The evaluation will not be required if such an assessment will not be helpful in arriving at a decision.
A student who is being considered for involuntary withdrawal shall be notified in writing by the Dean of Students or designee. If the student would like to request a meeting with the Dean of Students, they must request a meeting in writing within 48 hours of the initial notification. If a student requests a meeting, it will be conducted as soon as possible, but no later than five business days after the request is made, unless both the student and the Dean of Students agree that a further postponement is necessary. While the meeting is pending, the College may, for safety reasons, prohibit the student from being on campus or limit other student privileges or access to College facilities or resources.
The meeting generally shall be conducted in accordance with the administration hearing process set forth in Section 3.11 above. Thus, the meeting will be informal and formal rules of process and procedure and rules of evidence will not be used. The student may bring a parent, an advisor, or a mental health professional to the meeting. The student will be allowed to present any evidence that they believes demonstrates that involuntary withdrawal is not necessary; however, the Dean of Students may decline to hear evidence that is irrelevant or redundant. If a student fails to appear at a scheduled meeting, the Dean may reschedule at his or her discretion.
If the College decides that involuntary withdrawal of a student is necessary, the student may appeal in writing to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services. Such an appeal must be filed within three business days of the notification that the student is being involuntarily withdrawn. Within three business days of the receipt by the Assistant Vice President of a notice of appeal from a student, both the Dean of Students and the student will submit written reports to the Assistant Vice President for their review. The Assistant Vice President will make a decision as soon as possible, but no later than one week after the receipt of the written reports from the Dean of Students and the student. The decision of the Assistant Vice President will be final.
If a decision is made by the College to involuntarily withdraw a student, the Dean of Students shall immediately prepare a list of offices to be notified of the decision. The list shall include the offices of the Executive Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, the Registrar, the Dean of the School or College in which the student is enrolled, and Campus Security. Other offices may need to be notified as well, such as Financial Aid. Furthermore, the College may notify any person or office, both on campus or off campus, of its decision if the College determines such notification is necessary to protect the health and/or safety of either the student or third parties.
Students who are involuntarily withdrawn from the College will be allowed to petition to the Dean of Students for readmission during a subsequent term. Students who have been involuntarily withdrawn will be required to present clear and convincing evidence that they no longer pose a danger to self or others. The College may impose reasonable conditions upon students readmitted after being involuntarily withdrawn. Failure to comply with conditions may result in the student being withdrawn from the College immediately.
Students denied readmission may follow the appeal process outlined above.