Mental Health Policies
The mission of Culver-Stockton College is to provide students of promise a superb education within an active learning community founded upon integrity and the best values of faith and the human spirit. The college has adopted a policy and procedure in accordance with its mission and purposes to address and meet the emotional and physical health needs of students who may experience serious life threatening issues that may interfere or disrupt the campus community and its mission.
Section 1: Scope of Policy
Some students may exhibit behaviors as a result of serious mental health concerns that may pose a danger to themselves and/or others, or disrupt the campus community. If the college determines that the standards of behavior or the continued presence of the student impedes the mission, purposes or function of the college, the student may be subject to sanctions imposed by a review committee designated by the Dean of Student Life.
Section 2: Standards for Imposed Sanctions
The following standards of behavior exhibited by students that are disruptive to the campus community may be reviewed by the dean of student life, director of counseling and wellness, director of residential life, and others as deemed appropriate by the dean of student life.
a. Engages, or threatens to engage in behavior which may result in harm to themselves or others.
b. Engages in behavior that disrupts and impedes the Culver-Stockton campus community from the academic mission and purposes it strives to uphold.
c. Demonstrates an ability to care or satisfy personal needs in such a way that serious imminent physical harm might occur (e.g. chronic eating disorder, serious neglect of self-care).
NOTE: The college will make every effort to involve parents, provide support and counseling services within the scope of its mission, but may deem the student’s needs are beyond the capabilities of the services Culver-Stockton College can provide. When applicable, the dean of student life may notify the primary parent or legal guardian of any student who engages or threatens to engage in behavior that would cause physical harm to themselves or others.
The SOS Committee can make a recommendation to the Review Committee if they have identified a student who falls under this Mental Health Policy and Behavioral Guidelines.
Section 3: Sanctions
(Student may receive one or more of the following sanctions.)
a. Student may be required to obtain a psychological/psychiatric evaluation (independent of the college) and provide documentation specifically addressing the following:
1. Residence living, academic success and access to resources.
2. Appropriate management and/or resolution of mental health issue that precluded recommendation for evaluation.
3. Recommendation regarding continuity of care and treatment needs.
b. Student may be required to attend a specified number of mandated counseling sessions with the director of counseling and wellness. In some cases, the student may be referred to community professional counselors who specialize in certain areas. The student is responsible for any financial responsibilities of obtaining services off campus.
c. Residency Probation: Student may be prohibited from returning to campus housing.
d. Behavioral contract that may incorporate psychiatric treatment plan.
e. Withdrawals (Voluntary and Involuntary)
1. Emergency Interim Suspension: The college reserves the right to suspend a student on an interim basis if the circumstances indicate a student’s continued presence on campus may cause injury to property, the student or others. In such cases, the student will be required to remain off campus until satisfactory resolution of the following:
a. Students given an emergency withdrawal will be given the opportunity within forty-eight (48) hours from the effective date of withdrawal to meet with the Dean of Student Life to review the following:
1. The reliability of information used in the decision. NOTE: The dean of student life will make every attempt when possible to talk with the identified student before proceeding further, unless doing so may jeopardize the safety of others in the campus community.
2. Whether or not the continued presence of the student on campus poses a threat to self or others, endangers college property, or disrupts the normal operations and functions of the college.
2. Voluntary Withdrawal: Students may be given the option to withdraw voluntarily due to a documented ongoing medical/mental health concern that precludes successful completion of his or her academic work.
a. Leave of Absence: A student may voluntarily request a leave of absence due to emotional issues that inhibit their ability to excel in their academic endeavors. The student may be asked to meet with the director of counseling and wellness and/or provide documentation from an appropriate mental health professional separate from the college if warranted. Please note that students may request a leave of absence for psychological reasons without a specified diagnosis.
3. Involuntary Withdrawal from school: The college reserves the right to withdraw a student from classes, resident halls, and all college activities if it is determined that the student is engaging in behaviors that threaten the individual student, peers, or hinders the normal operations of the learning environment in any way. NOTE: This may occur in varying instances even if the student has not directly violated any conduct policy of the college.
a. Suspension
b. Dismissal
The review committee designated by the dean of student life must approve all recommendations for an involuntary withdrawal or dismissal. This committee will include the dean of student life, director of counseling and wellness, and the director of residential life. The dean of student life may appoint other staff as appropriate.
Once documented and approved by the dean of student life and review committee, the terms of the withdrawal become effective immediately and the student will be required to leave campus immediately, even though he or she will be able to appeal the decision.
Section 4: Procedure Guidelines for Incurred Sanctions/Appeal Process
The dean of student life or official designee will notify the student of the decisions for the sanction of involuntary withdrawal/dismissal no later than two days after the Review Committee meeting.
(Please see Section 5 for readmissions after the withdrawal process.)
The Appeals Committee will review all appeals applicable to this policy. The Appeals Committee will include the dean of academic affairs, chaplain, one faculty member selected by the academic dean, and the dean of student life (Ex Officio).
Any student who has been given an involuntary withdrawal has five (5) business days to appeal the decision in writing to the dean of student life. The appeal must state the reason for the appeal and what the student offers as the desired resolution. The dean of student life will assemble the Appeals Committee to review the appeal within five (5) business days of receiving the appeal. At the time of the hearing, the students will have the opportunity to contest the decisions and will be permitted to have their choice of once designated member of the Culver-Stockton College community present at the appeals hearing, (either a C-SC faculty, staff member or student). The Appeals Committee will continue as scheduled in the absence of the student. As this is not a legal forum, no legal representation will be allowed in the appeals hearing.
The decision of the Appeals Committee will be final.
Section 5: Readmission
Students who voluntarily withdraw under this policy without a formal leave of absence or have been suspended must apply for readmission. Students applying for readmission may be subject to one or more of the following conditions within the mental health policy documented prior to re-applying to Culver-Stockton College.
- At least one full academic semester must have passed for the time of the withdrawal.
- Documentation from a qualified mental health professional indicates the effective treatment/management of the problem or documentation that it is no longer in existence must be provided to the dean of student life.
- Continued counseling or therapy as deemed appropriate.
- Continued medication if indicated.
- Recommendation from mental health professional regarding ability to care for self and live in a residential setting.
- Receipt and acceptance of all necessary documentation by the dean of student life and director of counseling and wellness, or other designee as deemed appropriate.
When students have met the criteria of the Mental Health Policy and verification is accepted and documented by the dean of student life, students will follow the Culver-Stockton policy for readmission.
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