Under certain circumstances, Dana College reserves the right to place students on an Administrative Leave of Absence (ALA). During an ALA a student may be prohibited from attending classes and/or living on campus for a specified length of time. The length of an ALA will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Conditions Determining the Need for an ALA:
Situations warranting an ALA will be based on the judgment of college officials. Circumstances may include, but are not necessarily limited to, occasions when:

1. The personal well being of a student warrants that he or she be away from the campus for a period of time. Specific examples are as follows:

A. Any time a student engages in behavior that is consistent with an attempt to end his or her life (suicide). Usually, an ALA following an attempted suicide will be for a minimum of 21 calendar days.

B. Situations in which a student demonstrates suicidal ideation. This may include statements made to others, notes, drawings, etc., that center around one’s own death or a desire to die. This could also include situations in which a student with a previous history of suicidal attempts or ideation fails to follow a prescribed program of treatment/counseling or fails to abide by terms of an agreement between him or her and a counselor.

C. Situations in which a student engages in behavior, which gives evidence that, he or she may be emotionally or psychologically incapable of functioning properly within the college setting.

2. The general safety and welfare of the campus community may be at risk.

For items 1-B, 1-C and two (above), an assessment of the student’s behavior will be done by a member of the college’s counseling staff, and the imposition of an ALA will be based on the recommendation or in consultation with of a Dana College counselor.

Restrictions and Responsibilities During an ALA
1. During this period there will not be any reduction in the payment of tuition, fees, room, board, or any other charges normally associated with attending Dana College.

2. It will be the student’s responsibility to contact his or her professors to discuss the implications the ALA might have on his or her academic standing each class and to make arrangements for any make up work.

Conditions After Completion of an ALA
Conditions governing a student’s re-enrollment following an ALA will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Situations following a suicide attempt or a history of suicidal ideation may include one or more of the following requirements:

1. Documentation that the student has completed a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

2. Presentation of a written recommendation from the treating psychiatrist, stating that in this person’s professional opinion it is acceptable and advisable for the student to resume his or her enrollment at Dana College.

3. Presentation by the treating psychiatrist of a defined program of continuing mental health treatment after re-enrollment and a signed agreement by the student to follow the prescribed program. If continuing treatment involves the use of any medication, this information must be shared with the college’s Health Services Office. The use of any psychotropic medications on campus is permitted only under the direct supervision of the college nurse.

4. A signed agreement from the student stating that he or she will not engage in any additional behavior designed to bring harm to him/herself or demonstrate behavior indicative of suicidal ideation.