Concerned About a Student?
Anyone (faculty, staff, students, parents) with concerns about a particular student is strongly encouraged to relay those concerns as soon as possible to the appropriate Dean’s Office of that student:
- Undergraduate women: Westhampton College Dean’s Office (804) 289-8468
- Undergraduate men: Richmond College Dean’s Office (804) 289-8061
- A&S Graduate students: Kathy Hoke (804) 289-8417
- Law students: Kris Henderson (804) 289-8186
- MBA students: Lois Vogle (804) 289-8553
- School of Continuing Studies students: Sandra Kirkland (804) 289-8137 or Ned Swartz (804) 287-6338
- AFTER-HOURS: Contact University of Richmond Police: (804) 289-8715 (non-emergency), (804) 289-8911 (emergency)
What Should You Do if a Student is in Imminent Danger?
If there seems to be an imminent risk of a student engaging in violent behavior (toward self or others), please call University Police immediately (x 8911).
Students who are medically at risk or grossly impaired should be sent directly to a hospital emergency room, typically via ambulance called by University police, and be evaluated at the hospital.
The Dean’s Office staff is able to integrate that information into everything else known about the student. (If the student has made threats of harm to self or others, University police will likely be notified and involved as well.)
The Dean’s Office staff typically meets with such students to express concern for their well-being and to check on how they are doing. The Dean’s Office may take a variety of actions, depending on the nature and severity of the concern, taking into consideration all available information:
- Nothing further recommended (no, or minimal, evidence of distress/concern).
- Recommend the student seek appropriate sources of help (i.e., counseling or health services). The student decides whether to follow this recommendation or not; no follow-up requested or needed.
- Strongly encourage the student to seek appropriate sources of help (i.e., counseling or health services) and request authorization to be notified if/when student follows through.
- Mandate that the student be evaluated (in terms of risk to self and/or others or gross impairment in ability to care for self).
If the results of evaluation indicate the student’s functioning is significantly impaired or if there is a substantial liklihood that the student will, in the near future, cause serious harm to self or others, hospitalization and/or medical withdrawal from school may be warranted so that the student can get appropriate treatment and return to school when health and functioning are improved.
In extreme situations where the student is unwilling to take a voluntary medical withdrawal, University officials may impose an involuntary withdrawal from the University and/or University housing (e.g., see the “Public Health Procedures” section of the Undergraduate Student Handbook).
When the student is ready to return, he/she is required to submit appropriate documentation by treating professionals before the Dean’s Office, in consultation with other University staff (primarily CAPS and/or SHC), will allow them to re-enroll.
In extreme situations, involuntary commitment procedures may be initiated to hospitalize an impaired, but unwilling student (this requires community services board involvement, and usually police as well).
In situations where a potential threat of harm exists, a Threat Assessment Team (i.e., representatives from the appropriate Dean’s Office, University Police, Student Health, CAPS, University Attorney), chaired by the Vice President of Student Development, will meet to discuss the situation, gather additional information (as needed), and explore the best option for responding. Other faculty, staff and administrators may be asked to participate, depending on the nature of the situation and their relationship to the student in question.
Note: For concerns about University faculty, please contact the Provost or Dean of the appropriate school. For concerns about University staff, please contact Human Resources at (804) 289-8704. [Revised 12/5/08]