Student Resources

Office of Student Conduct

 

“Campus  Assistance  Referral  and  Evaluation  Team”

Purpose:   The University of North Alabama  is concerned about the safety, health, and/or well-being of all of its students, faculty, and staff, and has policies regarding the well-being for all members of the University community. Specifically, the policies address activities that are disruptive to the mission of the University, as well as any suicidal or self injurious threats or behaviors.  The CARE Team at the University of North Alabama was created to enable the University to provide early intervention, support and behavioral response to students displaying varying levels of disruptive, distressed, disturbed and/or dysregulated behaviors to help the health and safety of all members of the UNA community.

CARE Team Members:
Vice President for Student Affairs
Director of Student Conduct
Director of Health and Wellness Services
Chief of University Police
University Counselor
Director of Residence Life
University Legal Counsel (Ex officio)
Additional Ad Hoc Members may include Representatives from the following departments & offices:

• Counseling and Developmental Services (CADS)
• Registrar
• Vice President for Student Affairs
• Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
• University Police
• Bennett  Health and Wellness Center
• Office of University Housing
• Office of Residence Life
• Office of Student Engagement
• Greek Life
• Academic Departments
• University Ombudsman

 

Meeting Times/Location:
Meeting of the CARE Team will be held every two weeks in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.  Special or Emergency meeting will be called as necessary.

 

CARE Team Protocol

The CARE Team developed a protocol to ensure that behavioral and/or mental issues or incident are addressed adequately and in a systematic and consistent manner.

There are three risk levels for referral of students and guide the actions and intervention of the CARE Team (See Detailed Information Below):

• Mild Risk Level
• Moderate/High
• Severe/Immediate
•  
• The CARE Team Referral Form is completed by the referring person. At the time of the referral to the CARE Team Chair, each case may be assigned to a case manager.  A case manager is a member of the CARE Team designated to take the lead on the CARE Process.
• The CARE Team Chair and the case manager will meet make an assessment of risk based on the referral and determine the course of action for the CARE Team.  The case manager may begin to conduct an investigation and collect additional information.
• The CARE Team will meet to discuss students identified through the referral process. The case manager will present the case to the group.
• The CARE Team will address such questions as:
• What is the student’s current level of risk for injury to self or others?
• Does the student need an immediate assessment by a counselor or medical staff?
• What immediate steps need to be taken to reduce the risk factors indentified?
• Are there other individuals that should be asked to be a part of the CARE Team for the student?
• Are there other University officials that need to be notified of the current incident?
• Does this incident require immediate law enforcement intervention?
• Is the student capable of staying in school at this point?  If so under what conditions?
• Does the student require custodial holding when an action plan is developed?  If so who, what, where, when, how will it happen?
• Should parents of the student be called and asked to be a part of the CARE Team?
• Is there a history of health problems or a current problem that may be contributing to the learning/behavior difficulties?
• Is the student experiencing difficulties in all aspects of school or only in selected areas?
• Does the student differ significantly from other students in his or her age range in social, emotional, or cognitive development?
• Does the student have friends?
• What is the student’s attitude about school? Towards life in general?
• Have there been any sudden changes in the student’s school performance (Attendance Grades, Speaking out?)
• Does the student have any condition that is interfering with one of life’s major activities; e.g. disabilities under §504? 
• Does the student have behavioral problems that are of long duration and pervasive across all settings?

3. The team will review student data and brainstorm strategies to assist the student. They may adjust the instructional strategies being used in consultation with the Office of Counseling and Developmental Services.
4. If initial interventions are not effective, then the team could:

• a. Collect additional information.
• b. Request additional technical assistance from diagnosticians, physicians, counselors, law enforcement, legal counsel.

5. After each CARE Team meeting communication with the parent may occur with the         recommendations and/or results of student progress.

 

RISK LEVELS FOR REFERRAL OF STUDENTS
MILD:
Observed mood changes
Observed appearance changes
Significant observed weight changes
Repeatedly falling asleep in class
Illnesses that might cause observed changes:
Diabetes
Thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyper-)
Hypoglycemia
Electrolyte imbalances
Mental Illnesses
Anemia
Acute family/SO conflict

MODERATE:
Illogical thinking/writings
Self-Injury (Cutting, Burning)
Death of significant person
Extended absences secondary to illness [Mononucleosis/Influenza, etc]
Decline in grades
Decline in Attendance
Classroom disruptions [Illness, vocalizing, harassment, etc]
Confrontational w/Faculty / Peers /Staff
Ongoing Family/ SO Conflict
Observed change in peer group
Financial problems
Violation of Student Code of Conduct
Seizure D/O

SEVERE:
Suicidal/Homicidal Ideation/ Plans/ Acts
Psychosis: Hallucinations/Delusions—observed or disclosed in writings
Sexual assault
Violence (Victimization) – overt acts or writings
Behavioral & mood changes secondary to sleep deprivation
Inappropriate communication/ contact (w/faculty, staff, or peers)
Sudden isolation or ongoing reclusive behavior
Classroom intoxication &/or possession of AOD
Repeat offender legally or in violation of student code of Conduct
Aggressive behavior/ Fights
Harassing behavior
Weapon in classroom/residence hall/car/ apartment/ on campus

 

Possible Outcomes/Recommendations of CARE Team:
If the evaluation of the CARE TEAM results in a determination that the continued attendance of the student presents a significant risk to the health or safety of the student or others, such that there is a high probability of substantial harm, or a significant threat to property, to the lawful activities of others, or to the educational processes and orderly operations of the University, one or more of the following recommendations for the student may be made:

• Continued enrollment with no conditions
• Continued enrollment with conditions
• Voluntary withdrawal
• Involuntary withdrawal with conditions for reenrollment
• Referral to Student Conduct

 

 

• Continued enrollment with no conditions

In some cases, it may be determined that a student’s behavior was inadvertent or that information regarding the student was inaccurate, in which case, such shall be noted and the student will be allowed to continue enrollment with no conditions.

• Continued enrollment with conditions (with referral to Student Conduct if conditions are not met). Conditions may include, but not limited to, the following:
• Submission of the student to be evaluated by an appropriate mental health or medical professional or other appropriate professional. The professional may be selected by the University, so long as there is no cost to the student for the evaluation. Where evaluative services are beyond the scope or referral reference of the University, the student may be required, at his or her expense, to obtain a psychiatric/medical evaluation from sources external to the University to be entered as evidence,
• Continued counseling or therapy,
• Continued medication,
• Restriction against on-campus housing,
• Successful completion of college courses at another college or University, and/or
• Other course of action designated in a written success plan agreement. 

• Voluntary Withdrawal

If the student agrees to withdraw voluntarily from the University, regular withdrawal procedures will be followed. The student may be permitted to withdraw voluntarily without grades if, in the judgment of the Vice President for Student, (and with approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs), the circumstances warrant such action. A notation of “W” will appear next to each course on the student’s transcript for the appropriate semester. Tuition and fee refunds, if applicable, shall be based on the effective date of withdrawal determined by the Vice Presidents for Student and Academic Affairs or their designees.

• Involuntary Withdrawal

If a student’s  behavior inside and/or outside of the classroom demonstrates that they pose a potential threat of harm to themselves or others, or who create a pattern of extreme disruption, an involuntary withdrawal from the University with conditions for readmission may be initiated by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee.  Permission for readmission will typically be based on the student's demonstration of a period (at least one semester) of stable behavior outside the University and shall require a statement from a physician, psychologist, and/or other qualified professionals external to the campus who can render an opinion that the student is ready to return and cope with university life. Conditions for follow-up services may be required as part of the readmission decision and will be provided to the student in writing at the time of withdrawal.

• Referral to Student Conduct

If the student’s behavior constitutes a violation of the University Code of Conduct, the case may first be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for initial investigation and adjudication. A student may be involuntarily withdrawn and/or disciplined under the conduct code if he/she:

• Fails to attend any required meeting under this policy, and/or
• Fails to timely schedule and/or appear at a psychological assessment requested by the Director of Student Judicial Services, and/or
• Fails to adhere to any conditions placed on him/her in order for him/her to remain enrolled in the University and/or remain in University Housing.

Transcripts
A student who, under this policy, is allowed to voluntarily withdraw or who is involuntarily withdrawn will be given a “W” grade for each course in which he/she is currently enrolled.  An administrative hold will be placed on the student’s academic record to prevent any unauthorized reenrollment by the student.

Refunds
A student who, under this policy, is allowed to voluntarily withdraw or who is involuntarily withdrawn may request a refund of tuition, fees, housing payments and any other amounts.  Refunds will be made in accordance with applicable University policies and procedure.

 

 

Resources
Office of Student Conduct
Counseling and Developmental Services
University Police
Bennett Health and Wellness Center
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs