Ringling College of Art and Design strives to provide a safe environment in which all students are free to pursue their academic and social development. Thus, Ringling College reserves the right to require a Medical Withdrawal of any student who is believed to pose a threat to the health or safety of others.
Required Medical Withdrawals (which may or may not include grade forgiveness or other considerations) are made only after extensive involvement with a student and may be withdrawn at any future point if a student fails to comply fully with the remainder of the process. Voluntary withdrawal after alternative actions have been exhausted is encouraged. A Medical Withdrawal may be required if any of the following situations arise:
- A student has a medical or psychological problem, which cannot be properly treated in the college setting.
- A student engages in any behaviors, or there is reason to suspect student has an elevated risk of engaging in behaviors, that threaten or could cause bodily harm to others.
- A student engages in any behaviors, or there is reason to suspect student has an elevated risk of engaging in behaviors, that seriously interferes with the student’s ability to function and/or interferes with or in any way disrupts the educational pursuits of other members of the Ringling College of Art and Design community.
- A student refuses or is unable to cooperate with a recommended evaluation or treatment procedure.
It is the student’s responsibility to comply with all treatment recommendations and where insufficient treatment options exist on campus to identify and obtain community treatment to manage their own health. Upon the recommendations of a qualified off campus health professional who has evaluated a student, the Associate Dean/Director of Health Services or designee makes the final decision regarding approval of a Required Medical Withdrawal for health reasons. The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students reviews the recommendation to ensure that procedures were followed to protect the student’s rights. The student will be given oral notification of the decision immediately to be followed by appropriate written notification.
The Associate Dean/Director of Health Services or designee places the student on a Required Medical Withdrawal and authorizes their return to the College after approval for the return has been granted by the health professional in an appropriate timeframe and with evidence of knowledge of the student’s relevant conditions and reasons for the Required Medical Withdrawal. After a student has been granted a Required Medical Withdrawal for psychological health reasons, the student should consult a qualified mental health professional promptly. The student should initiate contact with the Counseling Center staff and Sarasota Memorial Hospital to assist with necessary and appropriate referrals.
*Students who take a medical withdrawal or who are placed on a Required Medical Withdrawal for psychological health reasons should participate fully in the process. This includes meeting with an off campus Mental Health Provider to complete a Provider Report Form within 30 days of the date of the medical withdrawal and again no less than 30 days prior to the start of classes during any following term for which the student intends to re-apply. Readmission after any form of medical or non-medical withdrawal is not guaranteed. Failure to follow timelines, recommendations, or submit sufficient documentation of post-treatment stability and ability to function as a student in an academic community environment may result in an unsuccessful application for readmission.
When the student is ready to return to Ringling College of Art and Design, he / she student must arrange for the health professional who has evaluated or treated him / her to forward a copy of the Provider Report Form to the Associate Dean/Director of Health Services or designee stating that he / she is qualified to return as a student and that their presence at the College does not pose a threat to the health or safety of self or others. The report submitted by the health professional should be comprehensive and must include the Provider Report Form. Telephone calls or brief letters simply indicating that the student has received treatment will not be sufficient and will delay the return process. The student’s continued participation with the recommendation from the health care provider will be monitored by the Peterson Counseling Center clinical staff. Failure to comply with any part of the process or recommendations may result in a required medical withdrawal.