§ 2-901 Policy and Procedures for Involuntary Withdrawal
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (the university) is committed to facilitating the health, safety, and welfare of its students and preserving the integrity of its learning environment. If the Dean of Students or designee (DOS) is provided with a credible report that a student may pose a significant risk to the health and safety of the campus community, the DOS will initiate an individualized review of the student’s risk and may take interim action. If, after review, the DOS determines that a student poses a significant risk to the health and safety of the campus community that cannot be reduced through voluntary measures, the university may separate the student from the university and its facilities using this procedure.
When practicable and appropriate, the university will take steps to facilitate a voluntary withdrawal under applicable procedures before initiating the involuntary withdrawal process.
Upon recommendation from the Threat Assessment Team and based on an individualized review of the student’s ability to safely participate in the university’s programs and academic pursuits, the DOS may involuntarily withdraw and separate a student from the university upon determining that:
The student’s continued presence poses a substantial risk to the health and safety of the campus community and/or the student cannot or will not comport their conduct with the Student Code to a degree that it disrupts the continuity of the educational process;
The student’s circumstances cannot be resolved with reasonable accommodations pursuant to § 1-110, either because no adequate accommodations are available or the student has refused such accommodations;
The student’s circumstances cannot be resolved through other applicable university responses (disciplinary, academic, etc.); and
The student has failed to take voluntary action that would resolve this situation, or no such voluntary measures exist.
Procedures for Involuntary Withdrawal
The DOS will issue a written notice to the student. This notice must include:
A statement that the DOS is considering an involuntary withdrawal;
The basis for the possible involuntary withdrawal;
The student’s right to meet, either in person or remotely (the DOS maintains the sole discretion to determine whether the response will take place remotely), with the DOS to respond to the basis for the possible withdrawal and to present additional information
The date, time, and location/manner of this meeting or instructions for scheduling this meeting;
The student’s right to have an advisor or support person, who may not speak on behalf of the student, with them during the meeting;
A statement that the student’s failure to attend this meeting will not prevent the DOS from moving forward with this process; and
A statement that if the student decides to withdraw voluntarily, the involuntary withdrawal process will be suspended.
After meeting with the student or reasonably attempting to do so, the DOS will conduct an individualized review of appropriate records and documentation, confer with the Threat Assessment Team, and consult with any other university professionals as needed. As part of this process the DOS:
Will consider the best available objective evidence and, if applicable, current medical knowledge, in the individualized assessment;
May require the student to sign all reasonable and relevant records releases authorizing direct communication between the DOS and any individual holding information relevant to this matter, including but not limited to the student’s medical provider(s), whether on-campus or off-campus, the student’s friends and family, and/or employees of previous institutions the student attended, as appropriate; and
If needed to aid the DOS in making an individualized assessment, may require the student to undergo a supplemental forensic evaluation at the university’s expense by an independent health professional designated by the university.
The DOS will then determine whether the criteria in subsection (c) apply and, if so, issue to the student a written decision, which will include the effective date of the withdrawal, information regarding the student’s exclusion from university property, instructions for requesting permission to be on university property, any conditions for return, and information regarding the appeal process including contact information for the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or designee (VCSA). If the DOS has met with the student following the written notice described in subsection (c)(1), then the decision should be communicated to the student within 48 hours of that meeting unless the DOS can show good cause for the delay. The DOS will submit withdrawal paperwork to the Office of the Registrar and, if applicable, cancellation paperwork for any future registration.
In an emergency situation where a student’s continued presence is reasonably likely to pose a substantial risk to the health and safety of the campus community, the DOS may place the student on an emergency interim leave before a final determination, as described above, is made. The DOS will reasonably attempt to directly communicate with the student and to consider information provided by the student before deciding on an interim leave. The student will receive written notice of the emergency interim leave. This notice will include information on how to appeal the interim leave. The emergency interim leave will remain in effect until the involuntary withdrawal process is concluded or a determination has been made that the emergency interim leave is no longer necessary.
Appeal Process
A student may appeal an involuntary withdrawal or an emergency interim leave to the VCSA within five business days of the date of the decision. To do so, the student must submit a written request, which must include the reasons for the appeal and any supporting documentation by the deadline.
The VCSA will promptly review all appropriate records and documentation and confer with appropriate campus professionals. The VCSA will then decide whether the involuntary withdrawal should be continued, with or without modifications, and will communicate the decision to the student in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable. The VCSA’s decision is final and is not subject to further review.
From the date of receipt of appeal, this process shall take no longer than two weeks for an appeal of an involuntary withdrawal or three calendar days for an emergency interim leave, unless the VCSA can show good cause for the delay.
If the student is allowed to return to classes after having been excluded for a period of time, the Office of the Provost will communicate with the instructor(s) of the courses in which the student was enrolled prior to initiation of the emergency interim leave to facilitate that return.
Return to the University
A student who has been involuntarily withdrawn must seek permission to resume studies by sending a written notice to the DOS. This notice must include, at a minimum, a request to return to the university and any appropriate documentation demonstrating compliance with the conditions for readmission. For full consideration, the student must submit these materials at least 60 calendar days prior to the semester in which the student is seeking to resume their studies.
The DOS may require the student to sign all reasonable and relevant records releases authorizing direct communication between the DOS and any individual holding information relevant to this matter, including but not limited to the student’s medical provider(s), whether on-campus or off-campus, the student’s friends and family, and/or employees of previous institutions the student attended, as appropriate.
The DOS will conduct a review of available information, confer with appropriate university professionals, and then determine:
Whether the student has demonstrated that they have satisfied the conditions for return;
Whether the student can function appropriately in an academic setting; and
Whether the student no longer poses a substantial risk to the health and safety of the campus community based upon consideration of the best available objective evidence and, if applicable, current medical knowledge.
The DOS will notify the student in writing of the decision within ten business days of the receipt of the student’s request unless the DOS can show good cause for the delay. If the request for permission to return has been approved, the DOS may approve with the inclusion of additional recommendations or requirements. If the request has been denied, the DOS will include in the written communication what additional steps the student must take to meet the conditions for readmission. The DOS will also include in the written communication information on appealing the denial.
The student may appeal the decision of the DOS to the VCSA by submitting a written request and any supporting materials within five business days of the date of the decision. The VCSA will promptly review all appropriate records and documentation and confer with appropriate campus professionals. The VCSA will then affirm, overturn, or modify the decision of the DOS and communicate the decision to the student in writing within ten business days, unless the VCSA can show good cause for delay. This decision is final and is not subject to further review.
A successful request for permission to return to the university under these procedures does not guarantee reentry into the student’s previous or desired major or program.
Fees and Refunds
The normal policies and procedures for tuition, financial aid, and fee refunds for students who withdraw during an academic term, as described in housing contracts and other university policies, will apply to students who are withdrawn pursuant to this policy.