FAU to consider policy on withdrawing ‘dangerous’

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees was scheduled to meet Wednesday on the Boca Raton campus.

But the meeting was called off.  The school was in lockdown after a shooting during a student-sponsored party in a school residence hall. The shooter was said to be a non-student.

“Lockdown” had an odd ring to it – because campus shootings in other parts of the nation were methodically planned attacks. This one wasn’t.

Still, it’s been on the BOT’s mind. In face, Wednesday’s agenda contained a proposal to create a medical advisory committee “to make recommendations regarding students with health-related problems that constitute a health hazard or danger to themselves or others in the university.”

As proposed, the policy would let the university “involuntarily withdraw” a student if his or her continued presence on campus [constitutes] a health hazard, danger to him/herself or others or otherwise endanger the university community.”
 
The purpose, stated in the proposal, is to protect health and safety of students and the university committee.

While the policy doesn’t specifically say it is related to tragedies on other campus, it does fit FAU’s recently stepped-up security measures – some of which got the first try Wednesday morning when shots rang out at the early morning party.

FAU President Frank Brogan told reporters at a news conference that FAU used emails, reverse 911 calls, sirens and a public address system, among other things, to warn students of danger on the campus.

The university was locked down until 12:30 p.m. Students who live on campus were told to stay inside.  Brogan said staff accompanied by police would deliver food.

Brogan said the new siren and PA system had not yet been tested, but seemed to work well.

Plans for a medical advisory committee has been in the works for several months, said Dr. Charles Brown, vice president for student affairs, who was to present the proposal Wednesday.

He said representatives from all campuses would serve on it.

The policy says the panel would look at behavior that may cause harm to the person, other people or property; that threatens public health; that renders a student unable to engage in basic required activities; that directly or substantially impedes lawful activities; or that interferes with the educational process of the university.