University could force leave on students with issues

TORONTO • The University of Toronto has adopted a policy that could place students with mental health issues on a mandatory leave of absence if the school deems it necessary.

The policy, which drew criticism from students’ groups and the Ontario Human Rights Commission, was approved by the university’s governing council at a meeting Wednesday.

Under the policy, a mandatory leave would be considered if the university’s administration becomes aware of a student who poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, and mental illness is believed to be involved.

According to the university, the policy states that a regulated health professional will be consulted as part of the consideration of a mandated leave of absence.

“The policy emphasizes that the mandated leave of absence is not to be punitive,” Sandy Welsh, the university’s vice provost for students, said in a statement. “It is to be applied in rare cases, only after accommodative measures have been unsuccessful, or the student has declined those measures.”

The university made several changes to its original version of the policy after consulting with students, Welsh said.

Cristina Jaimungal, with the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union, said there was a “lack of a concerted effort” by the university to address concerns laid out by disability advocate groups.

One of those groups, Students for Barrier-Free Access, had said it was concerned the policy could deter students from disclosing mental health issues and from seeking support or treatment offered by the university.

The university’s student unions also released a joint statement this week saying the policy discriminates against students with mental health issues.