February 29, 2008

Fearing Our Students Won't Help Them

By GARY PAVELA

Months ago, a participant at a conference where I spoke talked with me privately about the dismissal of a troubled student on her campus. Her conscience bothered her, she said, because the student was "different"  — but not threatening  — and was removed because he made other students and staff "uncomfortable." We agreed that hair-trigger "mental health" dismissals were probably more frequent after the Virginia Tech shootings and that the practice was harmful both to

Digital or Print Subscription

Web Pass

Already have an account? Log In Now.