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Threat of Harm Policy

ȺpÎÞÂë recognizes the importance of maintaining a safe environment for students, faculty and staff. Any threats of suicide, violence, other distress and/or threatening behavior, or significant health risks will result in immediate action to secure the safety of the individual and the community. All members of the University community, including faculty, staff and students, are expected to report concerns regarding students to the Office of Student Services immediately, especially when there is a potential threat to welfare and safety. Members of the Student Services staff, under the direction of the Dean of Student Services, evaluate reported situations to determine appropriate action. If there appears to be, or the University has knowledge of, a potential threat to welfare and safety, any or all of the following immediate actions may be taken:

1. Notification of the Police and/or Fire Department.
2. Immediate notification of appropriate University staff as indicated:
   1. Chief of Police
   2. Director of Residence Life
   3. Dean of Student Services
   4. Director of Counseling Services
   5. Director of Health Services
   6. Vice President for Student Services
3. Emergency transfer to the hospital for evaluation via the Romeoville Police and/or Fire departments.
4. Immediate removal from the University community (housing, classes and/or activity restriction).
5. Notification of student's parent(s) and/or emergency contacts by the Dean of Student Services or designate. A health and safety exception to FERPA permits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s record in case of an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or other individuals.
6. A search of the student's room or property and confiscation of any items which are potentially harmful, against University policy or are considered to be evidence of potential harm.
7. In the case of a student presenting a potential threat said student shall be in the presence of a staff member at all times until a disposition of the situation has been implemented.
8. The student will be given written notification from the Dean of Student Services of the disposition of the process and guidelines for returning to campus.
9. Interviews will take place with the student(s) and staff involved in the situation.
10. University resources are consulted as required by the situation.

Regardless of which immediate actions are taken, a student considered being a potential threat to the welfare and safety of others shall be prevented access to campus. The process for receiving clearance to return to campus is as follows:

1. The student shall receive a letter from the Dean of Student Services outlining the process. Included in the letter will be information about any necessary release of information procedures.
2. In appropriate situations, the student may be required to have a psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician (depending on the nature of the concern) evaluate him or her. Prior to the evaluation, the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician must first confer with the Director of the Student Wellness Center or designee in order for pertinent information
   regarding the University's concerns to be communicated.
3. The student must complete all necessary release forms allowing communication between the Director of the Student Wellness Center or designee and the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician.
4. Prior to determining the outcome of the student's situation, the Dean of Student Services and the Director of the Student Wellness Center must receive in writing a statement from the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician indicating the student is not presenting a potential threat to the welfare and safety of others and is cleared to return to campus.
5. In addition, the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician must outline the appropriate treatment plan for the student. University resources cannot be utilized as an integral part of the treatment plan as an independent treating professional is required in these cases.
6. Once the information cited above is received, the University determines what actions are appropriate regarding the status of the student at the University. The University reserves the right to take action contrary to the psychologist's, psychiatrist's or medical physician's recommendation if there are issues that remain a concern to the University.
7. If cleared to return to the University community, the student must agree to follow the recommended treatment plan outlined by the psychologist, psychiatrist or medical physician. The student must agree to have his/her compliance with the treatment plan monitored by the Director of the Student Wellness Center or designee. In addition, the student must give release for the Director of the Student Wellness Center or designee to report to the Dean of Student Services on the student's compliance with the treatment plan.
8. If at any time the student is to be found not in compliance with the treatment plan or new information regarding the stability of the student's situation is revealed, the Dean of Student Services will take immediate action. This action may range from the student's immediate removal from campus up to permanent expulsion from the University. This entire process is under the supervision of the Vice President for Student Services.