VOLUNTARY LEAVE/INVOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL POLICY Elmhurst College provides a range of services to support and address the mental and/or physical health needs of students including assessment, short term care as appropriate and referrals. The College’s primary concern is for the health and welfare of all members of the College community. And the College strives to assist students in participating fully as members of the College community. There are situations, however, when students with a mental health or other medical condition may pose a significant threat to themselves and/or others and therefore be required to take a leave of absence from the College. Under these circumstances, students will be given the opportunity to take a voluntary leave of absence. A student may be required to take an involuntary leave of absence from the College and/or be involuntarily removed from College programs, activities or facilities if the College determines that (a) the student presents a danger to the fulfillment of the mission of the College or to the life, health, welfare, safety or property of any member of the College community or other person; or (b) the student’s conduct renders him or her unable (i) to function safely or effectively in the College’s programs, activities or facilities without harming himself or herself, harming one or more other individuals, causing a disruption or (ii) to be helped by mental or physical medical treatment. Such circumstances may include, but are not necessarily limited to, engaging in physical or sexual violence, activity involving illegal drugs or other controlled substances, disruptive conduct, conduct that threatens the safety of others or conduct that demonstrates an inability to care for oneself. This policy outlines how the College will respond in situations where a student with a mental health or other health condition voluntarily requests a leave of absence or withdrawal from the College for medical reasons or where the College must place a student on involuntary leave or involuntarily withdraw a student from the College. Voluntary Leave or Withdrawal Students who are experiencing difficulty as a result of a mental health or other health condition or for any other reason, are encouraged to consult with the Dean of Students or other appropriate College official regarding the possibility of taking a voluntary leave of absence or withdrawing on a voluntary basis. The option of pursuing a voluntary leave or withdrawal may remain open to a student even if the College is considering an involuntary leave or withdrawal as described below. The Dean of Students or designee is available to assist students in complying with any other College policies regarding leaves of absence and withdrawal from the College. Conditions that could warrant involuntary leave or
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