Bemidji State University (BSU) has the right and responsibility to expect its members to conduct themselves in a civil, respectful, and safe manner with regard to themselves, others and property. Students whose behavior appears to pose a health and/or safety threat to themselves or others, whose behavior seems to indicate an inability to cope psychologically with the demands of university life, or whose behavior creates a pattern of extreme or ongoing disruption may be referred through the University Student Conduct System and/or through the University Emotional and Physical Health review process.

The University Emotional and Physical Health review process provides a proactive, coordinated and planned approach to the identification, prevention, assessment, management and reduction of interpersonal and behavioral threats or disruption by students related to the safety and well-being of Bemidji State University students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The BSU Care Team consists of the University Conduct Officer and representatives from the College Deans, Student Center for Health and Counseling, Housing and Residence Life, Records Office, the Advising Success Center and Public Safety. These core members have been selected due to their expertise and positions at BSU, each of them having unique information and experience in dealing with troubled students. The Care Team will meet at least twice monthly to discuss issues that arise from complaints/reports of troubled or threatening behavior by students. The Care Team will be chaired by the University Conduct Officer.

Most disruptive or inappropriate behavior is subject to the procedures of the University Student Code of Conduct, but there are times when a student’s disruptive or inappropriate behavior is due to mental or emotional health issues. Upon completion of an initial review of a complaint or report of a student’s threatening behavior, the Conduct Officer may present the complaint to the Bemidji State University Care Team for discussion. In addition, members of the Care Team may bring forward for review issues related to threatening or disruptive behavior by students.

The Care Team may determine that a hearing for the student is necessary. The Care Team hearing is private and closed to the public. The student may be requested to attend and has the opportunity to be accompanied by an advocate, who is a member of the University community, as well as a family member, licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician. The Conduct Officer and/or the Care Team may request that the referred student undergo a professional assessment by the BSU Student Center for Health and Counseling and/or, at the student’s request and expense, a professional assessment or evaluation by a private physician, psychiatrist or psychologist who has been recommended by the BSU Student Center for Health and Counseling and approved by the Conduct Officer.

The Care Team will conduct itself in accordance with accepted standards of due process, and will develop a course of action intended to safeguard the student and the institution. This course of action may include mandatory withdrawal of the student from the University with stipulated conditions for re-enrollment. A student may appeal the decision about the course of action to the Vice President for Student Life and Success or his/her designee.

Students who leave the University under the above conditions, either voluntarily or involuntarily, will be readmitted to the University only after being cleared by the Dean of Students or the University Conduct Officer in the Division of Student Life and Success with concurrence of the student’s dean and in accordance with re-enrollment expectations recommended by the Care Team. Permission for readmission will typically be based on the student’s ability to demonstrate a period of stable behavior outside the University and may require a statement from a physician, psychologist, or other qualified professional that the student is ready to return and cope with the demands of University life. Regular use of specified University resources may be required as part of the readmission decision.

Student behavior that is perceived by the University to be an imminent threat to themselves or to others may result in immediate summary suspension of the student according to the University’s established summary suspension procedures.

Revised Summer 2022