NMU distributed a message to clarify its self-harm protocols in the wake of a Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) report that gained traction late last week. It begins, "NMU does not forbid, in writing or verbally, students from talking to others about self-harm thoughts. We acknowledge that changes to the self-harm letter and protocol were not effectively communicated to campus in early 2016 when they took effect."

What we do:

·       The Dean of Students Office reaches out and requests a face-to-face meeting with students who express self-harm thoughts and/or exhibit self-destructive behavior. 

·       NMU provides a list of 24/7 resources to assist students and encourages them to use the resources.

·       NMU provides free professional counseling services to students.

·       Information concerning mental health support services is provided to students and parents during the annual orientation sessions.  

What we don’t do:

·       The NMU Counseling Center does not share private information with Dean of Students Office or others on campus.

·       NMU does not withdraw students from classes who express self-harm thoughts and/or exhibit self-destructive behavior.

·       NMU does not mandate a meeting with the Dean of Students Office.

·       NMU does not mandate psychological assessments.

As a result of changes in federal regulations, NMU, like all universities, is awaiting further guidance from the Department of Education and Office for Civil Rights concerning protocols to assist students who are a danger to themselves.

From a related "Chronicle of Higher Education" story:

In rare cases, said Dr. Schwartz, who is also a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, students who are worried they might kill themselves have refused treatment and asked classmates to keep watch on them. During exam periods or other stressful times, a roommate might have trouble concentrating or staying up all night "performing 24-hour watches and keeping track of their roommates," he said. "It makes sense for a university to step in, in an extreme case like that, but a blanket policy does more harm than good," said Dr. Schwartz. http://www.chronicle.com/article/A-University-Draws-Fire-for/237897

Only once in 10 years has an NMU student been charged with a Student Code violation due to extreme and rare circumstances such as those listed in the quote above.