Disruptive Behavior Due to Emotional Disturbance Policy

Updated: 1/5/25
Contact: Student Life Office

The intent of the following policy and procedure is to support an appropriate living and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff at William Jewell College. This policy provides structure for responding to concerning behavior but is not intended to supersede privacy rights or confidentiality and reporting obligations applicable to health professionals. Demonstrations of physical harm or incidents of disruptive behavior brought on by emotional disturbance will be assessed and treated with care for the effects upon the student displaying the behavior as well as the entire Jewell community.

Demonstration of Physical Harm – an attempt, or a threat, to harm oneself or another person.

Disruptive Behaviors, secondary to an emotional disturbance include, but are not limited to:

  • Instances in which a student engages in, or threatens to engage in, inappropriate behavior that poses a danger of causing psychological or physical harm to self or others
  • Instances of inappropriate behavior that demonstrate a student’s inability to care for themself
  • Instances of inappropriate behavior that could cause significant property damage or substantially interfere with the orderly operation of the college
  • Instances of inappropriate behavior that substantially interfere with the educational process or campus life
  • Instances of inappropriate behavior in which a contributing cause is failure to follow a prescribed medical or psychological treatment plan by either an on-campus or off-campus licensed provider
  • Instances of inappropriate behavior that cause a chronic, inordinate use of college resources including, but not limited to staff time and/or psychological services, thereby resulting in an undue burden to Jewell

When it has been reported or is determined by the Dean of Students or their designee that a student has allegedly participated in one or more of these behaviors, the student will be required to present themselves within 24- 48 hours to the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee for a behavioral evaluation. A behavioral evaluation may also be required when a student’s behavior due to an emotional disturbance is sufficiently disruptive to cause Jewell staff members to question whether the student can benefit from the educational programs offered by Jewell.

BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS
The evaluation will be conducted by the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee. Should the student desire a second evaluation or an evaluation by a professional of their choice other than that provided by Jewell, the student shall bear the cost of the evaluation. A student choosing to withdraw from Jewell prior to receiving the evaluation will be supported by Jewell. The student’s parents, legal guardian, spouse, or other member of the family may be informed regarding concerns for the student’s safety and/or the safety of others.

Should the student choose not to meet for an evaluation, appropriate staff will discuss and determine what action should be taken. On a “need to know” basis, the student’s parents or legal guardians, or certain college officials (such as residence hall staff) shall be notified of the concern for the student and the student’s refusal to be evaluated by an appropriate person.

In the event that the student complies with the request for an evaluation, one of the four actions (enrollment options) below will follow based upon the results of the evaluation:

  • The student will remain enrolled at Jewell with no treatment.
  • The student will remain enrolled at Jewell with treatment and will be allowed to remain living on campus.
  • The student will remain enrolled at Jewell with treatment but will not be allowed to live on campus and/or they may be restricted from other areas of campus.
  • The student may voluntarily withdraw from Jewell:
    1. For personal reasons
    2. For medical or psychological reasons

In addition to the actions above, the student will be required to attend two meetings which are outlined in the “Returning to Campus After Evaluation and/or Hospitalization” section of this policy after the evaluation has occurred.

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
I. Remaining Enrolled with no Treatment
Based upon the results of the behavioral evaluation and solely at the discretion of Jewell, the student may be allowed to remain enrolled at the college with no treatment. Any behavioral problems will be corrected by the student immediately. A period of time may be designated during which the student’s behavior is under review.

II. Remaining Enrolled with Treatment and Living on Campus
Based upon the results of the behavioral evaluation, Jewell has the right to require the student to meet certain conditions of treatment. Certain services (such as therapy) may be offered by staff in the Office of Counseling Services (OCS). When the needs of the student exceed what can reasonably be offered in this setting (OCS), the student will need to receive treatment off-campus. Referrals for off-campus treatment can be provided by the Office of Counseling Services at the request of the student. The cost of any such treatment shall be the student’s/parent’s/legal guardian’s responsibility. Additionally, a period of time may be designated during which the student’s behavior is under review.

III. Remaining Enrolled with Treatment and Living Off Campus
At times, the student who remains enrolled at Jewell and in treatment may be required to leave the residence hall and/or be restricted from using other college facilities as indicated. The behavior of the student may be sufficiently disturbed and disturbing in the residence hall environment to make it essential that the family or others assume responsibility for the student’s care; yet, the student’s classroom behavior may be sufficiently controlled, allowing the student to continue class work while commuting.

An important consideration in Jewell’s decision regarding whether or not a student may continue in or return to the residence hall is the impact of the student’s presence on the community. Jewell regards as unreasonable the expectation that roommates, suitemates, friends, or residential staff will take on health-care responsibilities for other students. Therefore, Jewell will consider unacceptable any return-to-residence plan that requires another student or staff member to provide care or monitor a student’s condition.

If the student is required to engage in treatment and/or to leave the residence hall and is unwilling to do so, the Dean of Students or their designee will work with the parent or legal guardian in removing the student from the residence hall. The parent or legal guardian will assume responsibility for the student.

IV. Voluntary Withdrawal from the College for Demonstrating Physical Harm or for Disruptive Behavior Due to Emotional Disturbance
A voluntary withdrawal is defined as one in which the recommendation to withdraw a student for physical harm or disruptive behavior related to emotional disturbance has been made by the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee, or an off-campus evaluator, and the student concurs with the withdrawal recommendation. The professional staff is concerned with attempting to ensure continued treatment for the student outside the college community; therefore, the student’s parents, legal guardian, spouse, or some other family member may be informed of the withdrawal and the need for additional treatment.

A student may also simply request and be considered for a medical, psychological, or personal withdrawal from all courses when extraordinary circumstances, such as serious physical or mental illness or injury, prevent the student from continuing their classes after the midpoint of a semester, and incompletes or other arrangements with instructors are not feasible.

EMERGENCY REMOVAL OF A STUDENT FROM CAMPUS
Jewell recognizes the fact that emergencies may arise due to what appears to be a student demonstrating physical harm or displaying disruptive behavior due to an emotional disturbance. Such emergencies may create an immediate threat to the student and/or others. Exceptional situations may also occur in which a student is judged to be out of contact with reality and unaware of the consequences of their actions. When emergencies of this nature occur, they are reported to the Office of Student Life for referral to the Office of Counseling Services. As emergency situations, these cases may fall outside the procedures stated above. Action to remove the student from the campus is taken by the Office of Student Life or the Office of Counseling Services, in cooperation with the student’s family, if possible, and outside medical or psychiatric providers, if necessary. Involving the student in these actions may not be possible because of the nature and degree of the student’s illness. Hospital evaluation and/or hospitalization may be required.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS AFTER EVALUATION AND/OR HOSPITALIZATION
Upon returning to campus after an evaluation or hospitalization, the student will be required to meet with the Dean of Students or their designee and the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee to review a student care plan. The purpose of the student care plan is to provide a set of expectations for a return to campus and academic life and an outline a plan for follow-up treatment (if appropriate).

I. Notification of Discharge
The student will be required to communicate with the Dean of Students or their designee and/or the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee prior to their discharge from the evaluation or hospital. This may require the student sign a release of information permitting the hospital to communicate with and notify the Dean of Students or their designee and/or the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee regarding the student’s discharge from treatment, medication, and follow-up care requirements. Prior to discharge, the student is required to schedule two meetings: (1) an appointment with the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee and (2) an appointment with the Dean of Students or their designee. These meetings may be scheduled through the hospital staff. These meetings must occur within 24 – 48 hours post-discharge. It is recommended the student meet with the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee first. The student is not allowed to return to campus until these two appointments have been scheduled.

II. Return to Campus
The student will need to check in with a Residence Life Staff Member upon their return to campus who will notify the Dean of Students or their designee and the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee of the student’s return. The Residence Life Staff Member will help the student transition back to campus as needed and help ensure the preceding appointments were scheduled.

III. Required Meetings
A. Counseling Services Coordinator (or their designee)
This meeting will focus on discussing and establishing the student care plan and ensuring treatment follow-up (if appropriate, either on-campus or off-campus). It will cover the services and limitations of the Office of Counseling Services and how these may be of support and use to the student during their transition back to campus and academic life. The student is required to bring their evaluation or hospitalization discharge paperwork to this meeting to help facilitate the student care plan. Failure to bring discharge paperwork may result in a rescheduling of the appointment and a potential delay in returning to academic and campus life.

B. Dean of Students (or their designee)
This meeting will focus on assisting the student in adjusting back to campus and academic life. It will cover Jewell’s desire to support the student and care for the student in their transition back. Should withdrawal from Jewell be the student’s choice, this meeting will assist in facilitating that process.

IV. Care Plan
Examples of what may be included in the student care plan are the following:

  • A commitment to meeting regularly with a therapist
  • A commitment to remaining compliant with prescribed medication and meeting with the prescribing physician
  • A commitment to meeting with the Office of Student Life for support and help navigating any residential or campus concerns
  • Signing releases of information for the Office of Counseling Services, Office of Health Services, Student Life, parents/legal guardians, or external agencies that may be involved in the student’s follow-up care
  • A statement indicating that the student understands that they must fulfill the stated commitments in order to remain enrolled at Jewell
  • A reduction of course load
  • A requirement to attend courses
  • A reduction in extra-curricular activities
  • Any further requirements specified by the Dean of Students or Counseling Services Coordinator

Signed copies of the care plan will be provided to the student, the Dean of Students or their designee, and the Counseling Services Coordinator or their designee.

V. Inability to Follow Care Plan
Inability to follow the student care plan with the certain terms of the contract may result in the student being asked to withdraw from classes and campus life.

REACTIVATE/READMISSION PROCEDURES
If a former student reapplies for admission and their withdrawal had been categorized as demonstrating physical harm or disruptive behavior due to emotional disturbance, this would appear on their Student Life file as such. The Office of Admissions will notify the Office of Student Life (along with other appropriate departments such as the Office of Counseling Services) regarding all reactivates/readmits and will ask if there are concerns regarding the student’s readiness to return to the college. If the student record has been categorized as demonstrating physical harm or disruptive behavior due to emotional disturbance, the Dean of Students will notify the student and the Office of Admissions regarding any information or evaluations that may be required. The student may be required to submit documentation that supports follow-up treatment was completed and indicates their fitness to return to campus and academic life. The Dean of Students may contact the Office of Counseling Services to determine if the conditions affecting readmission have been met. The Dean of Students will then notify the Office of Admissions that reactivation/readmission may be granted if the student is otherwise eligible.