It is the policy of Fielding Graduate University that if any student, because of an apparent medical or psychological condition, poses a threat to the physical well-being of him/herself or any other member of the Fielding Graduate University community, or a threat of serious destruction of property, such student may be placed on an involuntary leave of absence. This policy applies to medical and psychological problems only, and not to matters solely of a disciplinary nature.

PROCEDURES

1. When evidence is brought to the Dean of any of the Fielding Schools (hereafter the "Dean"), that the behavior manifested by a Fielding student poses a threat to the physical or psychological well being of him/herself or another individual, or a threat of serious damage to property, the Dean may place the student on an involuntary leave of absence for an appropriate period of time. The student will be notified in writing of this action. Again, this policy applies to medical and psychological problems only, and not to matters solely of a disciplinary nature.
2. If the student agrees with the decision made by the Dean, no further action is necessary and procedures (5) through (6) will be followed.
3. If the student believes that an error in judgment was made in issuing the involuntary leave, he/she must so state in writing within three days following receipt of notice (sent through "certified-return receipt requested") of the suspension. A hearing must be held by the Provost within five working days after receipt of the aforementioned notice provided by the student (or as soon thereafter as the student is available). The purpose of such a hearing is to allow the student the opportunity to present evidence indicating that a leave is unwarranted. Evidence to the contrary may also be presented by the faculty, staff, administration, and/or students of Fielding. The following individuals must be given written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing: the student, the Dean, the Registrar, the student's Graduate Program Advisor, the student's Faculty Advisor (if applicable), the Program Director for the program in which the student is enrolled, and each of the faculty members in whose classes the student is currently enrolled. After all evidence has been presented, the Provost must notify all parties listed above in writing of his/her final decision within three days of the hearing.
4. A student who has been on involuntary leave of absence may apply for reinstatement at the end of the leave period and will be subject to the official reinstatement procedures found in the Fielding Graduate University Policy Bulletin.
5. Questions regarding appropriate refund of tuition and fees paid for the term in which the leave began, payment of outstanding tuition/fees, and the like, are left to the discretion of the Dean and the CFO in cases such as those described herein. In general, students will be held responsible for tuition incurred through the effective date of the involuntary leave.
6. The transcript of such a student will be annotated in the following manner: "Involuntary Leave "MM/DD/YYYY."
   

Related Policies

• Re-Enrollment
• Student Impairment - School of Psychology only
• Student Complaint and Grievance Procedure

Policy Effective 07/01/2008