GW to Ill Student: Withdraw or Face Consequences

I can't stop thinking about this Post article from last Friday. Essentially, a GW undergrad voluntarily checked himself into the hospital because he was having suicidal thoughts. The college's response: sanction the student for a violation of the University's Code of Conduct, essentially forcing him to choose between withdrawing from the University or facing a permanent disciplinary mark on his records.

While I understand the fear of liability, this seems like a totally bizarre response on the part of the University. Does the code of conduct really prohibit seeking treatment for mental illness? I wanted to see for myself: Article 11 outlines prohibited behavior under the Code. While leaving class without permission and falsely pulling fire alarms are potential causes for disciplinary action, suicidal thoughts aren't listed anywhere among the various violations of the Code.

As a part time, commuting graduate student, I know very little about the undergraduate experience at our University. But I worry that, in its fear of liability, GW could be creating an environment hostile to the treatment of mental health issues. Mental illness is often stigmatized as it is; should our University's policies make seeking help cause for disciplinary action?

The Post article did say that the University is in the process of revisiting the ways that it handles the treatment of suicidal students. I hope that, in this process, they find a way to encourage students to seek treatment without submitting them to disciplinary sanctions or forcing them to withdraw from the school.

Update: GW Hatchet reporting on the situation here and here.