30. Dangerous or Disruptive Behavior Caused by Manifestation of a Serious Psychological Problem (Revised: 2005)

Texas A&M University shall, through the Office of Student Counseling, provide evaluation, referral, and appropriate treatment, within the available resources of the institution, for students manifesting serious psychological problems. The personnel of all departments of the University are expected to refer students with apparent psychological problems to the Office of Student Counseling. Students who display dangerous or disruptive behavior caused by manifestations of a serious psychological problem may be withdrawn from the university, and this withdrawal may be involuntary.

Dangerous or disruptive behavior caused by manifestations of a serious psychological problem include, but are not limited to:

• instances where a student engages in, or threatens to engage in, inappropriate behavior which poses a danger of causing physical harm to self or others, or inappropriate behavior that demonstrates a student’s inability to care for self, and/or
• instances of inappropriate behavior, which would cause significant property damage, or would directly and substantially impede the lawful activities of others, or that substantially interferes with or impedes the educational experiences of others, or would interfere with the educational process and the orderly operation of the University, and/or
• instances where a student engages in inappropriate behavior where a contributing factor is failure to follow a prescribed medical or psychological treatment plan, and/or
• instances of inappropriate behavior that causes a chronic, inordinate use of university resources including, but not limited to, staff time, psychological services, medical services, and/or emergency services, thereby resulting in an undue burden to the University.

When it is determined by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Auxiliary Services or his/her designee that a student has allegedly participated in one or more of these behaviors, the student will be required to present himself or herself within one business day, to the Director of the Counseling or his/her designee. The student will be notified in writing of this by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Auxiliary Services or his/her designee.

The Office of Student Life is responsible for the University disciplinary process. The Office of the Superintendent has the authority to administer the cadet disciplinary system of the Corps of Cadets.  This policy does not preclude a student’s removal from the University, or any unit, class, or program, for disciplinary reasons in accordance with Texas A&M University at Galveston University Student Rules or Corps of Cadets Rules. The Office of Student Life, or the Office of the Superintendent, and the Office of Student Counseling, with appropriate releases, may consult to determine whether a student accused of violating the University Student Rules  or Corps of Cadet Rules should be diverted from the disciplinary process to these procedures. Conversely, these departments, with appropriate releases, may consult to determine whether a student referred for consideration for a medical withdrawal might be more appropriately handled through the student disciplinary process.

A student who is withdrawn from the university, under the provisions of this rule, has the opportunity for one appeal.