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Return to Columbia Program

The Return to Columbia Program was developed in collaboration with the Student Conduct team to provide support for students who have been separated from the University during their time away. After completing the Dean’s Discipline Process, a decision letter will be sent to students confirming their enrollment in the program. Once the appeal period has passed, students will be connected with a Case Manager to schedule ongoing meetings. Case Managers will offer support and guidance for students during their suspension period, as well as assist students with the re-enrollment process at the end of their suspension period.

Things to note about the program:

  • All students who received a Disciplinary Suspension sanction through the Dean’s Discipline Process are required to participate in the program.
  • Meetings will take place during the course of your suspension as well as upon your return to the University.
  • Private not confidential
  • Failure to complete the below requirements in whole or on time may result in a delay in re-enrollment or further disciplinary action as per Standards and Discipline (page 25). 

During meetings with your Case Manager, you can expect to be non-judgmentally heard and asked questions to better understand your experience and needs. Case Managers will collaborate with you to identify goals as well as connect you with resources that you may need in order to succeed during your time away from the University. 

Your case manager will assign mini assignments to help facilitate reflection and conversation to navigate your return to Columbia. The assignments will relate to the following topics:

  • Goal setting
  • Impact of behavior
  • Support system
     

Your case manager will send you a Student Information form for you to complete prior to your first meeting. This form will help guide your meeting, identify areas of concern and resources that may be helpful for your time away so it is important to complete prior to your meeting. If you have questions or need assistance you can always contact your case manager or the main phone line/email and a member of the operations team can help you complete it.

In order to successfully complete the Return to Columbia Program, you will be required to meet with a Case Manager several times, in which the final meeting must take place when you are re-enrolled. You are more than welcome to schedule as many meetings as you think would be beneficial during your time away. After students complete the several mandatory meetings and are re-enrolled, they are given the opportunity to continue meeting with their Case Manager if they so choose.

Participation in the Return to Columbia Program is mandatory in order to be considered for re-enrollment post suspension. In addition to engaging in meetings with their Case Manager and completing mini assignments during the suspension period, students are also expected to complete and submit a formal request to return by utilizing the following form. This request will be due 45 days before the end of the suspension period as indicated on a student’s decision letter. 

A request for return must be prepared and submitted by the student. It should include a reflective statement, be no longer than ten (10) pages, all written sections must be single-spaced typed pages, using 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins, including supporting materials.

The reflective statement must be at least 3 pages of 10-page maximum and should address and demonstrate the following topics:

  • Acquired an understanding of the reasons for any previous difficulties, particularly those  related to the suspension, including what you learned about yourself personally and/or academically by going through the Dean’s Discipline Process.
  • Developed a commitment to ensuring that difficulties similar to those related to the suspension do not recur.
  • Satisfactory motivation for returning to the University community generally and the student’s academic program in particular.

In addition, the student should be able to show/demonstrate that they have:

  • Satisfied any requirements for return specific terms or conditions as communicated during the Dean’s Discipline process and in your decision letter stipulated at the time of the suspension.
  • Engaged in a satisfactory standard of conduct, including not engaging in any further violations of University policies, during the suspension.

You may also include supporting materials in your request for return. The supporting materials may take the form of letters of support; proof of community involvement; certified completion of related individual or group counseling or treatment or of educational programs (e.g., alcohol or other drug, anger management, individual
counseling, etc.); and any other indicators of changes in life circumstances or personal growth.

All re-enrollment requests will be reviewed with the individual student, the Student Conduct team and the student's school in order to render a decision about a student’s readiness to return.