D. Mandated Assessment Policy

In an effort to minimize risk of students with potentially unstable mental health conditions and to help protect the welfare of the UCF campus community, the University of Central Florida has a procedure for reviewing incidents which have resulted in a student’s involuntary examination of imminent danger to self or others via the Baker Act (Statute 394.463, Florida Mental Health Act) or Marchman Act (Chapter 397, Florida Statute). Whenever Police (UCF, Orange County , etc.) provide transportation of a UCF student to the hospital for involuntary examination, the Police will file a report with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR). Once the report is received, the Director of OSRR may notify and consult with a designated representative of the UCF Counseling Center or Student Health Service and/or the UCF crisis committee to review the severity of the student’s behavior related to the involuntary examination for potential of continued risk to the campus community. A determination will be made whether a mandated interview and counseling education is adequate or whether some other more stringent, protective action is appropriate to protect both the welfare of the student and the community. In either case, the Director of OSRR will contact the student in a timely manner (upon release from the hospital and return to UCF) and require an initial meeting between an OSRR representative and the student to inform the student of their rights and responsibilities regarding the incident involving imminent risk to self or others.

In cases where a mandated assessment and counseling education are deemed adequate, the Director of OSRR will require such students to complete an interview with a licensed mental health professional and participate in a counseling education program.  The required interview must occur within two weeks following release from the hospital. Examples of a licensed mental health professional include a UCF Health Service psychiatrist, a UCF Counseling Center counselor, or a community based counselor or psychiatrist of the student’s choice.  The mandatory counseling education program, which is facilitated by the UCF Counseling Center , must occur within 8 weeks following hospital release.  The Director of OSRR will require proof of participation for the required interview with the licensed mental health professional and the counseling education program(s). Failure to comply may result in the initiation of the UCF Involuntary Withdrawal Procedure.

In cases where more protective action is needed based on more severe behavior/conduct (e.g., behaviors/actions towards killing self, behavior endangering others, threats to harm others, behavior disruptive to community), the Director of OSRR director may initiate a 1) summary suspension followed by a student conduct review and due process, 2) involuntary withdrawal procedure, or 3) required interview with a mental health professional and counseling education.