SB CARE Team Policy

Mandated Assessment

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs may mandate a student to participate in an individualized assessment if the student's behavior raises concerns about their well-being, the well-being of others, or significantly impacts the campus community or University activities. This assessment is intended to better understand the factors that may have contributed to the behaviors and to help connect the student with resources that support their well-being and continued safe participation in the campus community. Students are expected to complete the assessment by the date provided. Not completing the process may result in a hold being placed on their student account, which can prevent registration for classes, until the assessment and any related steps are completed.

Separation from the University

Voluntary Leave

On occasion, students may face health needs that require more care than the University can provide, or that significantly affect their ability to succeed and stay safe as a student. In these situations, taking a voluntary leave of absence can be a helpful step toward focusing on their well-being. If a student chooses to take a voluntary leave before completing a mandated assessment, they will need to complete that assessment before returning to the University (see Return to the University below). This process helps ensure they have the support needed to succeed when they come back.

Involuntary Leave

Temporary Restriction
If the University receives information indicating that a student’s continued presence may pose an immediate risk to themselves or others, or may significantly disrupt campus activities, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs may temporarily restrict the student from entering all or part of the campus.  This restriction remains in place until a mandated assessment is completed and the CARE team has reviewed the case. This is not an involuntary withdrawal but rather a temporary pause to assess the situation.

Involuntary Leave of Absence 
At Stony Brook University, we prioritize the health, safety and well-being of our students and the campus community by offering a wide range of support services to help students succeed. However, in rare circumstances, the university may require a student to take an involuntary medical leave of absence if an individualized assessment reveals (i) a significant risk to the student’s or others’ health or safety, or severe disruption to the University environment, and (ii) that no reasonable disability related accommodations that can adequately mitigate that risk or disruption. This action, in accordance with SUNY’s Involuntary Leave of Absence for Students Policy (3202), is taken only after careful consideration and review when a higher level of care is necessary beyond what the University can provide. This standard is not met solely because a student has a particular diagnosis or is receiving a particular treatment.

 

Appeal of Administrative Withdrawal or Temporary Restriction

Grounds for an Appeal

Students who are temporarily restricted or administratively withdrawn may appeal this decision on the following limited grounds:

• There has been a significant violation of the CARE Team process; and/or
• New information, unavailable at the time the decision to temporarily restrict or administratively withdraw a student was made, has become available and could have substantially impacted the decision; and/or
• The decision to temporarily restrict or administratively withdraw is excessive in light of the behavior(s) that occurred.

Application for Appeal

Students wishing to appeal a temporary restriction or administrative withdrawal must submit an application to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@stonybrook.edu within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the temporary restriction or administrative withdrawal letter. The application for appeal must identify which of the three grounds (stated above) forms the basis of the appeal. Students must be in compliance with the terms of the temporary restriction or administrative withdrawal at the time of their appeal request and until a final decision on their appeal is rendered.

Appeal Procedure

If the appeal has been submitted within the specified time frame and has identified at least one of the permissible grounds for appeal, a designated University official will review the complete record, any additional information provided with the application for appeal and, where necessary, may require interviews of the student or others involved. The designated University official will be a neutral decision maker who will conduct the appeal in an impartial manner. The student shall be notified in writing of the decision. The decision of the University official will be final.

Return to the University

Students who have been directed to complete a mandated assessment but leave the University prior to the completion of the assessment process (whether the leave is voluntary or involuntary), may return to the University or residence halls when the following steps have been completed:

• The University has completed an individualized assessment(s) for the purpose of evaluating the readiness to return to the University; and
• The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs has approved a student’s request for readmission and/or live in a campus residence.

Students who seek to return to the University in the upcoming semester must contact the CARE Team Case Manager by the following deadlines: 

The student is required to resolve all financial and student conduct matters prior to participating in the re-entry assessment(s). 

If a student has a community based treatment provider, the University will request information from the treatment provider. 

After completing the re-entry assessment(s) and other relevant information has been obtained, the CARE Team will make a recommendation to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs which will make the final decision with regard to return to the University and/or living  in a campus residence. To return, a student must demonstrate significant behavioral changes that will reduce the risk of harm to self, harm to other(s), and/or disruption of the University community.