Saint Mary’s University recognizes the importance of maintaining a safe environment for students, faculty and staff. Any harm to self, any threats of suicide, violence or other distress, any threatening behavior, or any significant health risks may result in immediate action to secure the safety of the individual and the community. Students who engage in self-destructive behavior are subject to
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the university. All members of the university community, including faculty, staff and students, should report concerns regarding students to the Office of Student Development immediately, especially when there is a potential threat to welfare and safety. The vice president of Student Development and the dean of students evaluate reported
situations to determine appropriate action.
Students at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are expected to demonstrate the ability to assure their own welfare and meet reasonable obligations as a members of the campus community. Essentially, students must be capable of behaving in ways that support their constructive growth and academic advancement while not impeding similar growth and advancement in other students. Behaving in this manner includes, but is not limited to, caring for their physical and emotional health, dealing appropriately with life challenges, successfully getting along with others, making adequate academic progress, and abiding by codes of conduct, academic standards, and applicable laws.
Should circumstances arise that compromise a student’s ability to respond effectively to the emotional, social, medical, or academic dimensions of their lives, students are expected to seek out and accept appropriate assistance. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is committed to facilitating the welfare, safety, and success of all its students.
If there appears to be a potential threat to welfare and safety, any or all of the following immediate actions may be taken:
1. Notification of the Winona Police and/or Fire Department
2. Immediate notification of appropriate university staff as indicated:
a. Director of Health and/or Counseling Services
b. Dean of Students
c. Director of Campus Safety
d. Vice President for Student Development
3. Emergency transfer to the emergency room for evaluation via Winona Police and/or Fire departments.
4. Immediate removal from the university community (housing, classes and/or activity restriction).
5. Notification of student’s parent(s) and/or emergency contacts by Student Development personnel.
6. A search of the student’s room (or property) and confiscation of any items which are potentially harmful, against university policy, or are considered to be evidence of potential harm.
7. In the case of a student presenting a potential threat, said student shall be in the presence of a staff member at all times until a disposition of the situation has been implemented.
8. The student will be given written notification of the disposition and guidelines for returning to campus.
9. Interviews will take place with the student(s) and staff involved in the situation.
10. University resources will be consulted as required by the situation.
Regardless of what immediate actions are taken, a student considered to be a potential threat to the welfare and safety of self or others may be suspended from the university on an interim basis.
The process for ending the interim suspension is as follows:
1. The student must have a psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician (depending on the nature of the concern) evaluate him or her. Prior to the evaluation taking place, the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician must first confer with the director of Health Services and/or Counseling Services or designee in order for pertinent information regarding the university’s concerns to be communicated.
2. The student must complete all necessary release forms allowing communication between the director of Health Services and/or Counseling Services or designee and the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician.
3. Prior to determining the outcome of the student’s situation, the director of Counseling Services and/or Health Services must receive in a statement, preferably in writing, from the external provider (psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician) indicating the student is not presenting a potential threat to the welfare and safety of self and others and is cleared to return to campus.
4. In addition, the external provider must outline the appropriate treatment plan for the student. The external provider and the university personnel from Counseling Services and/or Health Services must confer and agree on the treatment plan. University personnel will exercise judgement as to whether external or internal counseling and support is appropriate. The university reserves the right to take action contrary to the external provider’s recommendation if there are issues that remain a concern to the university.
5. If cleared to return to the university community, the student must agree to follow the recommended treatment plan as agreed upon by the external provider and the university personnel (director of Counseling Services and/or director of Health Services). The student must agree to have his/her compliance with the treatment plan monitored by the director of Counseling Services and/or Health Services or designee. In addition, the student must provide a release for the director of Counseling Services and/or Health Services or designee to report to the dean of students on the student’s compliance with the treatment plan.
6. If at any time the student is to be found not in compliance with the treatment plan or new information regarding the stability of the student’s situation is revealed, the dean of students will take immediate action. This action may range from the student’s immediate removal form campus up to permanent expulsion from the university.
This entire process is under the supervision of the vice president for Student Development. |
|
|