GW sent the following press release out at 9 p.m. tonight. Here it is, in full, along with some comments at the end.
March 10, 2006
This statement, issued in response to media coverage of a lawsuit filed by a former student, may be attributed to Tracy Schario, spokesperson for The George Washington University
By law, we cannot talk about the records of a particular student. However, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the University has been able to provide appropriate assistance through existing resources and without the need for separation from the University.
Each year over 50 students with suicidal thoughts or behaviors arrive at The George Washington University’s Counseling Center (UCC). Every student receives a full assessment including symptoms, risk factors, history, coping skills and environment. With proper consent, the UCC appropriately communicates with parents/guardians and/or university administrators about their assessment and recommendations when they deem the students to be at risk of substantial harm to themselves or others.
After assessment by a UCC counselor, the great majority of these students is guided to appropriate services and support within and outside of the University and remain enrolled as students.
A few students rise to the level of risk that requires time away from campus and/or classes for more intensive treatment and family support. Time away provides relief from the stress of campus and academic life in order for students to recover and learn to manage their symptoms and psychological concerns. We hope and expect that these students will recover, return to campus and function fully as successful students. To facilitate this, the University has a voluntary leave process (medical/mental health withdrawal) to protect the student’s privacy and status at the University and to avert any academic penalty.
In the case of Jordan Nott, it was certainly our hope and expectation that after receiving proper treatment and successfully resolving his concerns that he would return as a full-time student and resume life in the residence halls. Although he is no longer at GW, we are happy that he is pursuing completion of his academic degree. We wish him well.
When a student in our community presents a serious threat of suicide, our ultimate goal is to find support and treatment to get through the crisis point. While some may see the ultimate goal as to stay in school, the University’s foremost concern is for the student’s life. We must also be concerned about the protection and safety of the entire community, which may be impacted by the student’s words or behavior.
Due to District and federal privacy laws, the University is unable to disclose specific information that it considered in Mr. Nott’s case. However, after reviewing all of the information available at the time, the University determined that this was one of those few situations that requires that the student take time away from campus and classes for more intensive treatment and family support.
I want to add the other side’s perspective on two points the press release made:
1). The release says, “Time away provides relief from the stress of campus and academic life in order for students to recover and learn to manage their symptoms and psychological concerns.” According to Jordan’s suit, he believes that being barred from campus and academic life under threat of arrest contributed to his stress. He argues that he was removed from his support system of friends.
2) The press release says, “To facilitate this, the University has a voluntary leave process (medical/mental health withdrawal) to protect the student’s privacy and status at the University and to avert any academic penalty.” I do not know exactly what happened – only a few administrators and Jordan do. But according to the suit, the term “voluntary” might be a misnomer. I’ll quote from our January article: “The suit says Nott left the hospital Nov. 1, 2004, and met with Gieseke, the assistant director of SJS. Nott says he was told if he withdrew from school voluntarily, his suspension would not be shown on his record; but if he fought the charges and lost, he could face suspension or expulsion, and the charges would go on his record.”
