Villanova is a caring community where the well-being of each member is sensitively supported, and where the creation of a safe and peaceful environment is essential to fulfilling the mission and values of the University. The University strives to balance the concerns for the health and safety of the individual student with those of the larger campus community. In situations in which the University considers a student’s behavior to pose a threat to themselves or others, or judges that a student is unable to cope with life or college-related issues, or when a student causes disruption within the University’s community environment (as determined in the judgment of the University) that is not addressed in the Code of Student Conduct, the University has an obligation to intervene and a compelling interest to help a student resolve those issues.
In such cases, the Dean of Students or their designee will consult with appropriate members of the University community to determine which course or courses of action to pursue. The Dean of Students may meet with the student, and may require that the student receive an evaluation by the University Counseling Center as well as require the student to authorize the University Counseling Center to share the results and recommendations of their evaluation with the Dean of Students. If a student refuses to participate in the evaluation or to authorize the release of the evaluation results, the Dean of Students may restrict the student’s access to educational programs and activities, University services, and entry to the campus.
The Dean of Students will use the Counseling Center’s evaluation and recommendation, along with other relevant factors, to determine if a student (1) may remain in attendance without conditions or restrictions or (2) may require a reasonable accommodation or accommodations in order to continue in attendance, or (3) may not continue in attendance or participate in educational programs and activities, use University services, or continue to reside on campus. The Dean of Students may meet with the student and, if needed in their judgment the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s), to discuss any accommodations, conditions or restrictions necessary in order for the student to remain enrolled at the University. Failure to comply with these conditions/restrictions may result in the student being asked or required to leave the University.
In cases the Dean of Students determines are severe, the Dean of Students may separate the student from the University through an Involuntary Leave of Absence. In this event, a hearing will be held between the Dean of Students and the student, and the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may attend. If a student is separated from the University with an Involuntary Leave of Absence, the student will be required to undergo a thorough, off-campus, psychological assessment/evaluation at the student’s expense. The student will not be considered for readmission to the University unless and until a report of the assessment/evaluation (which supports readmission) is provided to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students may require a written acknowledgement from the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s), confirming that the student is approved by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to return to the campus. The Dean of Students will consult with appropriate University officials in determining if the student should be reinstated.
This policy is not intended to be punitive. Rather, it is intended to confirm that every reasonable effort is made to ensure that each student is physically and emotionally healthy enough to benefit from their attendance at the University and to be a contributing member of the University community.