University Policy and Procedural Responses to Students at Risk of Suicide (Paper No.35)

This paper focuses on the current procedural protections in university policies handling students at risk of suicide. It is argued suicide ideation or attempt should not be treated as if the student has committed a disciplinary infraction but should be treated as a mental health issue. However, the use of disciplinary proceedings as a last resort should not be totally dismissed. It is proposed the objectives of procedural due process, fairness, preserving the student-institutional relationship, & fact-finding should include an intermediate mediation step before disciplinary hearings or involuntary medical withdrawal. (140 notes)