Medical and Mental Health Emergencies and Withdrawals Procedure

Weatherford College cares deeply about the physical and mental health of its students. At times, however, a student may experience such extreme medical or psychological conditions that the ability to function successfully or safely in the role of a student is significantly impaired. Students are encouraged to prioritize their health and safety and take steps toward recovery, even if academic progress must be delayed. The college will support student-initiated self-care plans, and/or initiate actions, that consider the welfare of the individual student and the College community.

WC Care Team:

The Assistant Vice President of Student Services has formed the WC Care Team, a committee that meets regularly to address student needs. One of the goals of the committee is to provide a safety net for students to ensure their academic and interpersonal success. The WC Care Team is typically composed of the Associate Dean of Student Development, College Counselor, Director of Housing, and Director of Special Populations. Depending on the emergency or concern, the Assistant Vice President of Student Services may appoint other advisors to the committee as needed. College staff, faculty, and/or students can make referrals to the WC Care Committee in writing or by phone to the Assistant Vice President of Student Services or designee.

Student situations that might be considered by the WC Care Committee include but are not limited to:

  • Acute decline in physical health
  • Suicidal threat, intent and/or behavior; self-injurious behavior
  • Destructive, threatening, or other disruptive behavior
  • Drug and alcohol abuse; including overdose or misuse of over-the-counter or prescription medications
  • Any physical or mental health problem that points to possible imminent or foreseeable danger to oneself or another member of the College community, or requires intensive monitoring to prevent such danger

 

In responding to these situations, the WC Care Team reserves the right to determine appropriate response, but not limited to, the following options:

  • Allow the student to remain in school, but require a specific mental health or physical health evaluation, within a certain period. The student will be responsible for any cost incurred by the evaluation and/or treatment. In the interest of gaining a better understanding of the student's ability to function in the college community, the College may request the student to sign appropriate release forms allowing designated Weatherford College staff to consult with the evaluating and/or treating clinician(s) serving the student. Based on the evaluation results, the WC Care Team will determine appropriate next steps, including the possibility of allowing the student to remain on campus if a commitment is made to the recommended treatment plan
  • Invoke an Involuntary Medical Withdraw (see below), or encourage a Voluntary Medical Withdrawal
  • Notify the student’s parent(s) and appropriate College officials about a mental or physical health or safety emergency. Note: College notifications will respect confidentiality, and will share limited information on a need-to-know basis only.

 

All requirements and conditions determined by the WC Care Squad will be outlined in writing in a letter from the Assistant Vice President of Student Services or designee delivered or mailed to the student.

Procedures

Medical Interim Suspension
The WC Care Squad may invoke a interim medical suspension upon a student's medical or psychological hospitalization, emergency, or during a medical evaluation period. Students who are medically suspended for any health reason are temporarily not allowed to participate in any college activities, attend classes, reside in or visit on-campus student housing, and may not be on campus except to attend a meeting or hearing related to his/her case. This interim period allows times for a student to receive needed medical and/or psychological care, and for all parties to consider an evaluation of readiness to return to the college. The student must follow the clearance procedures listed below before returning. Students who are medically suspended will be notified in writing and will have the opportunity to address the bases for the decision by contacting the Assistant Vice President of Student Services.

Voluntary Medical Withdrawal
Students are encouraged to request a voluntary medical withdrawal when they believe their physical or mental health problems are preventing successful engagement in and completion of, academic coursework; when safety is in question; or when the demands of college life are interfering with the ability to recover from or adjust to significant physical or mental health challenge.

Students interested in pursuing a voluntary medical withdrawal may wish to discuss this option with the college counselor, or they may independently initiate the process in Student Services. After the voluntary withdrawal is approved, the person is no longer considered a student and must leave campus and, if applicable, officially check out of on-campus housing.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal
In rare circumstances, the WC Care Squad may determine that a student must be involuntarily medically withdrawn as the college has an obligation to protect its community members from the risk of harm and preserve the integrity of its educational environment. Some student behaviors, which threaten health and safety and disrupt the learning environment, may prove to be caused by treatable medical or mental health conditions, which are classified as disabilities under State and Federal discrimination laws. While Weatherford College reasonably accommodates students with disabilities in the College’s educational facilities and programs in compliance with Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitations Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and any applicable State regulations, the College has an obligation to assess whether the student who is exhibiting harmful behavior can be reasonably accommodated on the college learning environment without unacceptable risk to others. Pursuant to this procedure, an Involuntary Medical Withdrawal may be imposed when a student behaves in a way which threatens harm to others, when the student is unable to effectively function, or when the student’s behavior significantly disrupts the educational environment of others.

Those who are medically withdrawn for any health reason are not allowed to participate in any college activities, attend class, reside in or visit on-campus housing, and may not be on campus except to attend a meeting or hearing related to his/her case.

If a student believes that a decision for involuntary medical withdrawal made by the WC Care Squad is unreasonable or that the procedures used were unfair, the student may appeal. The appeal must be made in writing to the Assistant Vice President of Student Services. Appeals should clarify what facts the student believes were not considered, or explain what procedures were unreasonable or unfair. Once notified of the involuntary medical withdrawal, the student has three business days to submit his/her appeal. The college will follow the student appeals procedure listed in the Student Handbook.

Code of Conduct Violations
Evidence of the student’s conduct, which resulted in the imposition of an Involuntary Medical Withdrawal, may be referred by the Executive Dean of Student Services (or designee) to the College’s disciplinary process at any time during or following the Involuntary Medical Withdrawal and may result in disciplinary action against the student under the College’s Code of Conduct.

Clearance Procedures
Any student who has been placed on an interim medical suspension or an involuntary medical withdrawal will need to complete the clearance procedures outlined by the WC Care Squad before being allowed to return to the College. The WC Care Squad may also require a student who takes a voluntary medical withdrawal to complete specific clearance procedures. Clearance procedures are designed to ensure that a health emergency no longer exists and that a treatment plan for continuing good health and safety is in place. Each requirement will be listed and given to the student in writing.

STUDENTS RIGHT TO KNOW

www.wc.edu/about/consumer-information
Weatherford College provides certain consumer information to our future and current students. Listed below is some of the information that is available to you:

  • Basic financial aid information available in Registration Guides, the catalog, and on the WC website, www.wc.edu
  • General information about Weatherford College available in Registration Guides the catalog and on the WC website, www.wc.edu
  • Students Right-to-Know Act information about completion/graduation rates for the general student body and student-athletes is available in the Student Services office
  • Equity in Athletics information about student-athletes is available on the website, and the hardcopy form is available in the Student Services Office
  • The Jeanne Cleary Crime Statistics report is available on the Weatherford College website, and the hard copy is available in the Student Services Office and the Campus Police Department**
  • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) information is located in the WC Catalog and on the website, www.wc.edu

 

Employees are available during regular business hours to assist with accessing any of the above information.