Collegiate Times

Last week, the Virginia State Government approved the first bill in the nation that will prohibit state university administrators from discriminating against students who exhibit suicidal behavior.

The bill addresses the issue of public universities disciplining and — in some cases — suspending or expelling students who demonstrate and/or seek treatment for suicidal behaviors and thoughts. However, this topic is already heating up among the schools subjected to the regulations because the universities will be responsible for dealing with these students.

 “A number of state legislators are taking a position on this because several incidents have happened at state universities,” said Larry Hincker, Tech’s associate vice president of university relations. “This puts into perspective the hardship universities have with dealing with these types of situations.”

The bill reads that “the governing boards of each public institution of higher education shall develop and implement policies that advise students, faculty and staff, including residence hall staff, of the proper procedures for identifying and addressing the needs of students exhibiting suicidal tendencies or behavior. The policies shall ensure that no student is penalized or expelled solely for attempting to commit suicide, or seeking mental health treatment for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.”

“There is no exact right answer for all students,” Hincker said. “So in this case, the new policy gives the university the opportunity to take the best approach, whereas the past legislation was too prescriptive.”

The legislation was passed unanimously as a response to recent in-state cases, some of which led to suspended students suing their public universities for being discriminated against because they attempted suicide or were in treatment for clinical depression.

The uproar is coming from individual health administrators at the schools’ health and counseling clinics, many of who feel the bill’s limitations could hinder their ability to handle mental-health issues on a case-by-case basis. However, some disagree, arguing that the added legislation will not change university operations on the subject.

“I think what people are trying to do is walk a middle road and neither overreact or under-react,” said Dr. Richard Ferraro, assistant vice president of student affairs.

Although the bill has gone through the state government, it has yet to be signed by Gov. Tim Kaine, so he could be the target for those trying to stop this addition to the law.