3.9.3 - LEAVE OF ABSENCE COMMITTEE

In certain circumstances a committee of appropriately qualified members of the Xavier University faculty and staff who are appointed by the Dean of Students or designee will be convened to conduct an individualized assessment of objective information. Committee members will be chosen based upon their experience, expertise, and knowledge of the individual student and/or relevant circumstances, and Committee membership is at the discretion of the Dean of Students or designee. 

Committee Membership could include, but is not limited to: Student Affairs, the Xavier Action & Care Team, the Student Success Center, the Center for International Education, the Center for Faith and Justice, faculty, XUPD, faculty or staff with clinical physical or mental health expertise, and appropriate academic deans.  Committee members will be chosen based upon their experience, expertise, and knowledge of the individual student and/or relevant circumstances.  

3.9.3.1 Collection of Objective Information/Evidence

The Leave of Absence Committee may request information from departments, individuals, or clinical and medical providers that is relevant to the individualized assessment.  The Committee may request information by way of conversation or through documentation from those individuals, including an evidence-based risk assessment. At minimum, the Dean of Students will provide the Leave of Absence Committee with the information that gave rise to convening the Leave of Absence Committee.  The Leave of Absence Committee may request to meet with the student directly for consultation.

3.9.3.2 Leave of Absence Committee & Mandatory Leave

The Leave of Absence Committee is charged with conducting an individualized assessment of the currently available medical information, including medical documents and other best available objective evidence to determine whether the student poses a significant risk to the health or safety to self or others. Collected evidence shall not be based on speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations about individuals with disabilities. The Committee will also consider whether other support measures, accommodations, or a voluntary leave of absence would be adequate to respond to the circumstances.

The Leave of Absence Committee shall review and assess all information, including that provided by the student.  If through the individualized assessment, the Leave of Absence Committee determines not to impose a mandatory leave of absence, the Leave of Absence Committee may recommend the implementation of accommodations, supportive measures, and/or behavioral expectations to mitigate risk and allow the student to remain enrolled at Xavier, through a Care Agreement.  The Care Agreement could include, but is not limited to: more testing time, parking, mandated off-campus housing (release from housing contract), scheduled meetings with Care Management, restrictions placed on class schedule (hours enrolled) and activities.  

If, through the individualized assessment, the Leave of Absence Committee finds that the student poses a threat to self or others, the Dean of Students, or designee, has the authority to place the student on a mandatory leave of absence.  Such decision may be appealed to the Vice President for Student Affairs, whose decision shall be final.

3.9.3.3 Leave of Absence Committee & Voluntary Leave

The Leave of Absence Committee may also be convened to assess a student’s reinstatement after a voluntary leave as described in Section 3.9.6, Reinstatement