UCLA Residential Life alters policy language to accomodate mental health issues

The original version of this article contained information that was unclear and has been changed. See the bottom of the article for more information.

UCLA Residential Life changed its policy regarding dismissible offenses last week, altering some wording and removing language that made suicidal thoughts or attempts a violation.

The changes were a clarification, and do not reflect an actual change in policy, said UCLA spokesman Tod Tamberg.

Tamberg said housing officials made the changes after questions from The Daily Bruin alerted university officials to inconsistencies between UCLA’s policy and practices.

“The wording was removed because (the new policy) reflects that the university does not separate a student from the university or university housing (because of mental health),” Tamberg said.

The original language specified “suicide attempts” and “suicide threats” as dismissible offenses under the sanctions portion of Residential Life’s rules and regulations.

That language has since been completely removed. Now, the policy lists assault, sexual assault and hazing as offenses that could prompt a student’s removal from housing. The policy also specifies physical threats, sexual harassment, throwing objects from buildings and walking on a roof or ledge as valid threats of violence that could result in dismissal.

In addition to removing references to suicide, Residential Life also changed the wording of the policy so it specifies “physical abuse to any person” rather than “physical abuse to others or self.” The office applied a similar language change to threats of violence, which used to contain the same “others or self” phrase.

Violations of the housing policy could result in removal from the dorms, and while a student’s enrollment may be unaffected, they would be asked to find alternative living situations, according to the policy.

UCLA no longer has any policy on the books that allows for the dismissal of a student because of suicidal threats or attempts. Each student’s situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, Tamberg said.

Tamberg said the changes were not publicly announced because a submission published in The Bruin “clearly and publicly” spelled out UCLA’s policy. The submission appeared in the paper before Residential Life policy was altered.

In the submission, Elizabeth Gong-Guy, director for UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services, and Suzanne Seplow, assistant vice chancellor for student development, said the old housing policy was “utilized primarily in instances where a student is seen as a demonstrable threat to the safety or well-being of other students in the residential community.” Tamberg said UCLA and Residential Life do not view suicidal thoughts or attempts as grounds for dismissal from housing or the university.

Some students voiced criticism of the old policy because they said the wording was unclear about whether suicide threats or attempts would be a violation.

“There’s a difference between informal and formal protocols, and even though informally they won’t discipline someone, it’s not on the books,” said Undergraduate Students Association Council Student Wellness Commissioner Savannah Badalich. “It’s really important that these things are on the books, because if they’re not in writing then a student’s rights aren’t protected.”

The changes came after the federal Office for Civil Rights investigated Title II complaints at several universities across the nation. Title II is a section of the Americans with Disabilities Act that mandates public entities provide fair and reasonable accommodations for people with physical or mental disabilities.

Student have filed complaints at Columbia University and Princeton University. The Office for Civil Rights overturned involuntary withdrawal decisions at Spring Arbor University in 2011 and Western Michigan University earlier this year.

Some UCLA students have voiced concerns that policies, such as the old housing policy and the University of California Office of the President model policy for involuntary withdrawal, might prevent at-risk students from seeking help. The UCOP model withdrawal policy allows UC campus administrators to remove students from classes against their will.

UCLA does not adhere to the UC model policy because it does not view removing a student from his or her academic pursuits as fair or productive, Tamberg said.

Resident assistants, under the old housing regulations, would have been obligated to report suicidal ideation or attempts as a violation of housing rules.

“When a student goes to an RA seeking help and is kicked out (for suicidal threats), that breaks trust,” Badalich said. “This is institutional betrayal.”

Stewart Cooper, a professor of psychology at Valparaiso University specializing in the mental health of college students, said he thinks it is a major concern for universities that involuntary withdrawal policies due to mental health issues might serve as a disincentive to seeking needed counseling services.

For this reason, many colleges have either dropped or adjusted such policies in recent years, he added.

An Office for Civil Rights spokesman said there are no categorical rules for what qualifies as a violation of the law and every case involving the involuntary withdrawal of a student from academic studies or housing will vary depending on the facts and circumstances of the situation.

The office is working to develop guidance for universities in regards to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, he added.

And with the changes to Residential Life policy in place, Tamberg said the office policies now align with their practices.

“Now, students can actually go to an RA and say, ‘I’m feeling like I need help,’” Badalich said. “It probably will still be reported to CAPS or through (Residential Life), but now on the books, in the protocol, it can’t be used against you.”

Clarification: The Office of Residential Life has been renamed Residential Life.

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