Withdrawal from College - Involuntary

To provide an environment conducive to achieving the mission of Lancaster Bible College, the College may, in certain circumstances, require a student to be withdrawn involuntarily. This may be appropriate when:

• The student displays behavior which is not prohibited by the Student Handbook, Community Lifestyle Standards, and/or the Academic Integrity Policy, nevertheless poses a direct threat to others or substantial disruption to the College community; and
• The student demonstrates a risk of further presentation of the behavior.

Under such circumstances, a multidisciplinary team will first conduct an individualized assessment of the student behavior(s) and related circumstances to determine if reasonable accommodations could allow the student to continue active enrollment. After the assessment, if a direct threat to others or substantial disruption to the College community exits, and reasonable accommodations cannot sufficiently mitigate such risks, the multidisciplinary team will make a recommendation to the appropriate vice president to involuntarily withdraw the identified student.

In such circumstances, the student will first be given an opportunity to take a voluntary and immediate withdrawal. If the student refuses to proceed with an immediate withdrawal, or the student is incapable of responding, or if the student willingly does not to respond, the identified student will be placed on an involuntary withdrawal by a vice president of the College, the Provost, or his or her designee.

The identified student will be informed of his or her involuntary withdrawal and conditions for reenrollment in writing. An involuntary withdrawal will be noted on a student’s transcript in the same manner as a voluntary withdrawal. During a withdrawal (voluntary or involuntary), a student cannot attend classes, live in College housing, or be involved in College-related activities. The student who is involuntarily withdrawn will be subject to the rules regarding financial aid and financial obligations (tuition, fees, room, board, etc.) that apply based upon Lancaster Bible College’s Refund Policy.

This policy will be applied in a nondiscriminatory manner and decisions will be based on consideration of the student’s behavior and/or statements, not on knowledge or belief that the student has a disability. Appeals of involuntary withdrawal may be made by the student, in writing, to the College President or his/her designee.

Definitions:
Direct Threat – Behavior which poses a significant risk to the health or safety of others, or College property.

Substantial Disruption – Behavior which causes significant emotional, mental, or physical distress to others, and/or limits others’ ability to participate in College-related activities.

Appeal Process:
1. The decision may be appealed in writing by the student to the College President or his/her Cabinet level designee.
2. An appeal must be filed within 90 calendar days after the decision is communicated in writing to the student.
3. The decision on the appeal will be final.
4. During the appeal process, the student will remain withdrawn from the College.

Returning from an Involuntary Withdrawal or Immediate Voluntary Withdrawal:
1. If the student would like to reenroll, the student must first satisfy any conditions for re-enrollment as required in writing.
2. A multidisciplinary committee will review the materials presented and determine whether the student has demonstrated that it is appropriate for him or her to return to the College community.
3. A decision will be communicated to the student in writing.
4. The student, as he or she prepares to return to College, may be given a success plan to assist in returning to the College with supports.
5. If it is determined that the student is not ready to return to the College, the student may appeal the decision in writing to the College President or his/her Cabinet level designee. The following are the only grounds for appeal:

a. The decision was arbitrary or capricious.
b. New or additional information is available that was not available at the time the request to return was considered and could reasonably be expected to have altered the decision.

6. The decision on the appeal will be final.