Threat to/Harm of Self-Policy

Coker University is committed to the success of all students, including those with depression or other mental health conditions. The University also has a responsibility to provide for the safety of those on its campus and to maintain a positive academic environment. If a student engages in any self-injurious behavior that is deemed to be a direct threat to self by University officials, that student may be subject to interim suspension from the University. If a student or an employee of the University believes that a student has engaged, or threatened to engage, in the behavior specified above, he/she should report it via the Student of Concern/Threatening Behavior Form, or in cases of crisis or emergency, contact the Office of Campus Safety (843-383-8140).

In the event a University official determines the student presents a direct threat to him/herself, the following actions will be taken:

The student will be notified of the University’s determination and be given an opportunity to meet with the Senior Director of Student Experience or his/her designee as soon as practicable, generally within 72 hours.
The student is not eligible to attend class until meeting with the Senior Director of Student Experience or his/her designee. If the student was hospitalized, he/she will be temporarily placed on interim suspension, pending a hearing as described below.
The student’s parents may be contacted, if appropriate.

After the initial meeting with the student, if the Senior Director of Student Experience or his/her designee determines the student still presents a direct threat to him/herself, the student’s eligibility for continued enrollment will be decided by the Senior Director of Student Experience, in consultation with the Behavior Intervention Team (BIT). The BIT shall consider any accommodations that would allow the student to remain enrolled at the University without posing a direct threat to him/herself or others.

If the Senior Director of Student Experience, BIT, or designee decides to administratively withdraw the student, the student will be provided with a written statement of the reasons for such action. Refunds of any fees and status of course work will be determined based on the situation.

If the Senior Director of Student Experience determines that the student shall be placed on interim suspension, the student shall be given an opportunity to appeal this decision. The appeal should be made in writing to the Senior Director of Student Experience within 48 hours of receipt of the withdrawal decision. The Senior Director of Student Experience is the final level of appeal, and his/her decision is final.

In the event the student is placed on interim suspension, and wishes to continue at the University, the student must comply with the following requirements:

The student must seek medical treatment from a physician and request referral to a mental health professional at the student’s expense.
The student must provide consent for communication between the mental health professional, the Mental Health and Accommodations Counselor, the Senior Director of Student Experience or designee for the limited purpose of determining the student’s progress and appropriateness of continued enrollment.

If at any time the student is unable to comply with any part of the protocols, he/she may choose to withdraw from the University. A student that cannot or will not comply with the established protocols will be administratively withdrawn.

A student who has been required to withdraw under this policy may be considered for readmission to Coker University upon presentation of a written evaluation by a mental health professional stating that the student no longer poses a threat to him/herself and/or to others.

Outcomes for Students Who Comply with the Behavioral Requirements:

In the event a student complies with the requirements for evaluation/treatment, the Senior Director of Student Experience, the Behavior Intervention Team, or designee, will choose between one of the following actions based upon the results of the evaluation:

The student may be allowed to remain enrolled at the University with no treatment but may be required to agree to a behavioral contract with the Mental Health and Accommodations Counselor outlining expected future behavior and compliance with University policies.
The student may be allowed to remain enrolled at the University with treatment and be allowed to remain in the residence halls.
The student may be allowed to remain enrolled at the University with treatment but not be allowed to live in the residence halls and may be restricted from other areas of the campus, as appropriate.
The student may be withdrawn from the University involuntarily.

Refusal of Medical Transport:

If a faculty or staff member calls EMS because he/she determines that the health and well-being of the student is such that the student needs to be transported to a hospital and the student refuses to be transported, the student will automatically be placed on interim suspension.