SB CARE Team Policy
Mandated Assessment
The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs may direct (mandate) a student
to participate in an individualized assessment if the behavior of the student is believed
to pose a threat to the health and safety of themselves or others, or to significantly
disrupt University activities. The assessment is designed to assess the factors that
contributed to the student’s behavior and to assist the student in accessing resources
to maintain safe behavior. Failure to respond to a directive from a University official
to complete the mandated assessment process, by the date requested, may result in
administrative action, up to and including temporary restriction from the University
or the residence halls/apartments until the assessment and any requirements thereof,
are met.
Separation from the University
Voluntary Leave
On occasion, students may experience health needs requiring a level of care that exceeds
what the University
can appropriately provide, or they find their health needs significantly impair their
ability to function successfully and safely as a student. In such circumstances,
students may take a voluntary leave of absence. In circumstances where a voluntary
leave is taken before a mandated assessment is completed, a student seeking to return
to the University must first complete the mandated assessment process (see Return
to the University below).
Involuntary Leave
Temporary Restriction
In the event that the University receives information suggesting a student’s continued
presence may pose an imminent danger to themselves or others, or may seriously disrupt
University 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 and wellness of our students and
campus community by offering a wide range of support services and accommodations.
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:
Deadline to request re-entry for Fall 2023 |
June 15, 2024 - 4:00PM Eastern Standard Time |
Appeal deadline for students whose request for re-entry in Fall 2023 was denied. |
August 15, 2024 - 4:00PM Eastern Standard Time |
Deadline to request re-entry for Spring 2024 |
December 15, 2024 - 4:00PM Eastern Standard Time |
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.