Legal and Ethical Principles for Student Affair Professionals and Faculty by Karina Soriano https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq Karina Soriano EDG 6305 Angelo State University en-us 2020-11-17 05:21:29 UTC 2026-03-09 17:12:25 UTC hello@padlet.com 1. My Professional Perspective ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930300554 Upon completion of my Master's in Student Development in Higher Education with a certificate in Academic Advising, I hope to get an opportunity to work in the Academic Advising department.  Academic advisors have the responsibility to understand students in different levels, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to have a helpful advisor during my undergraduate years.  I plan to learn more about mental disabilities to assist students before it interferes with the students academic success.  Mental health is clearly linked to retention and academic performance (Backels & Wheeler, 2001).  Therefore, learning and teaching others on the excellent resources that are available in school to help prevent any suicidal thoughts or violence crisis in campus. The main audience that need to work closely with the students are the student affairs professionals and educators.  They must learn the signals of students distress such as excessive procrastination, decrease in the quality of work, or threats regarding self or others (Harper & Peterson, 2005).

References
Harper, R. & Peterson, M. (2005). Mental health issues and college students. NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources.  https://nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/Mental-health-issues-in-advising.aspx]]> 2020-11-17 05:44:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930300554 2. Mental Health Disabilities Concerns and its Impact on Higher Education ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930340006 The University of Houston Downtown (UHD) college students with mental disabilities are treated unequally because they are perceived as being different.  It is important for the student affairs professionals and educators to be aware of the different types of mental crisis that a student is going through.  Some examples of mental disabilities include maniac depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders and eating disorders.  These students need the appropriate help by providing resources needed to succeed in their education years and they have the right to receive accommodations in their courses. The faculty and staff of the University of Houston Downtown need trainings in how to handle students during mental breakdowns in school or in their classroom.  Therefore, developing  special programs to empower the students with mental disabilities and mentoring programs for educators will prevent any violence or distress in students.  Student affairs professionals and educators have the heavy responsibility of reviewing and understanding school policies and procedures regarding students suffering from mental health problems.  In addition, the increase in the mental health disabilities that is caused by the type of disabilities mentioned earlier can lead to violence if the student feels depressed and decides to commit suicide or take the lives of others.  It can be a great danger in higher education campuses if they also decide to bring arms to school.  Is important to focus on these students that need more attention to increase the student well-being and safety while decreasing the dangerous consequences of untreated mental disabilities.

]]> 2020-11-17 06:05:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930340006 3. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930459142 NASPA provides seminars, training opportunities and articles that informs on how to handle mental health issues in campuses.  In this article, it explains that the goal is to raise awareness to student affairs professionals and educators to expand their knowledge on how to handle a mental crisis situation before it leads to a dangerous matter.  It explains the importance of coming together to take care of the mental health concern of student and acknowledge the strategies to handle an specific situation (Stebleton, 2019).

References
Stebleton, M.J. (2019).  Building a community of care: Mental health is everyone's business. NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. https://www.naspa.org/blog/building-a-community-of-care-mental-health-is-everyone-s-business]]> 2020-11-17 06:55:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930459142 4. Mental Health Needs Rise With Pandemic ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930486051
  • During this pandemic students are suffering with mental health problems, including suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression.
  • Students have been uncertain about their college education and post college careers. 
  • Their panic is if the campuses will remain open as COVID-19 infections spread and if administrators will send students back home. 
  • The existing problem is the understaffing  of mental health support systems, and students are leaving without the help they need.
  • According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the number of 18-to-24-years old had seriously considered suicide and the percentage of positive depression and anxiety are higher rates than in previous years.
  • In addition, college staff members who manage health services must now balance servicing students' mental health needs with an unprecedented level of monitoring their physical health, through COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and related care (Anderson, 2020).

    • References
    Anderson, G. (2020). Mental health needs rise with pandemic. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/11/students-great-need-mental-health-support-during-pandemic

    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:06:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930486051     5. Guns on Campus: An Unfolding Public Health Crisis ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930488225
    • In American society weapons are worrisomely easy to obtain.  A student traveled to a campus planning to commit harm by buying a weapon at one of the Walmart stores.  Only those that are found to make such purchases are mentally ill, who are found a threat to themselves or others.
    • These threats to campus safety are the hazards posed by the dangerous combination of young people with suicidal ideations and access to firearms.
    • The National College Health Assessment reported that a percentage of students who experience the following felt so depressed; felt overwhelming anxiety; and seriously considered suicide.
    • Students often under severe stress increases the chances that a student will make an impulsive, and possibly life-ending choice.
    • Student affair professionals and educators need to better engage with students about the critical importance of timely communications about possible threats, including gun violence, students possibly at the edge of causing self-harm, or other instances that could turn deadly (Lambert,2018).

    References
    Lambert, L. (2018). Guns on campus: An unfolding public health crisis. Higher Education Today. https://www.higheredtoday.org/2018/03/21/guns-campus-unfolding-public-health-crisis/
    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:07:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930488225     6. 1868-- Constitutional Law: The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930491981
  • This law states that all citizens deserve the right to have equal protection under the laws of the United States.
  • It allowed students with disabilities to have the equal protection grounds to attend any public school and will not be excluded because of their disabilities.
  • Allows any individual to bring a lawsuit if their equal rights have been violated, but they must provide any proof that the federal government or a stage government discriminated against their disabilities.
  • In addition, there should not be any discrimination against individuals with mental health issues, and mentally ill can be forced, against their will, to receive treatment from a professional therapist (U.S Const. amend. XIV).

    • References
    U.S. Const. amend. XIV.  Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv#:~:text=No%20state%20shall%20make%20or,equal%20protection%20of%20the%20laws.


    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:08:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930491981     9. 2016-- Statutory Law: Carrying of Handguns by License Holders on Certain Campuses ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930493808
  • Carrying of handguns by license holders it is allowed in campuses of certain institutions of higher education.  However, an institution of higher education may establish their own rules.
  • The college or university can establish reasonable rules and regulations after consulting with students, staff, and faculty concerning safety considerations.
  • The President of the university is not allowed to enact rules and regulations that prohibit license holders from carrying handguns in the campus (Texas Govt. Code § 411.2031).
    •  Reference
    Texas Govt. Code § 411.2031. Retrieved from https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.411.htm.


    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:09:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930493808     8. 2011--Statutory Law: Americans with Disabilities Act: Title III ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930507600
  • It prohibits the discrimination on the basis of disabilities in places of public accommodations, commercial facilities, and private entities that offer certain examination and courses related to education and occupational certification.
  • Direct threat of a risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modifications of policies, practices or procedures.
  • If the individual poses a threat to the health or safety of others then a public accommodation must make  an individualized assessment based on reasonable judgement that relates to their current medical knowledge (42 U.S. Code § 12182).

    • References
    Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S. Code § 12182. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/12182
    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:14:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930507600     7. 1974-- Administrative Law: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930509234
  • Is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.  It gives the parents the certain rights to their children’s educations records during their K to 12 educational years. 
  •  After the child reaches the age of 18 or attends beyond high school level the rights are transferred to the student.  
  • However, school officials may access FERPA-protected education records if they have a legitimate educational interest. These individuals include teachers, counselors, school administrators and other school staff.  
  • Students medical record information becomes subject to FERPA if it is used for purposes other than treatment such as disability accommodations.
  • FERPA does authorize school officials to disclose information in case of emergency situations where the health and/or safety of the student is at risk.  Relevant information can be released to law enforcement, public health, and medical officials (34 CFR § 99).

    • References
    Family Educational and Privacy Rights, 34 CFR § 99. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/34/part-99


    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:15:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930509234     10. 2019-- Administrative Law: The Campus Anti-Violence Policy ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930515793
  • It protects people and property, reduce fear and stress, maintain the campus and classroom as productive and safe environments.
  • Establish a consistent process for responding to and managing incidents of violence or behavior of concern at the University of Houston Downtown.
  • The UHD Police Department must be contacted if in doubt of any threats or is face in a dangerous situation (University of Houston Downtown Handbook, 2020).

    • References
    University of Houston Downtown. (2020). Campus Anti-Violence Policy. Retrieved from https://www.uhd.edu/administration/employment-services-operations/resources/Documents/PS02A29.pdf

    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:17:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930515793     11. Ethical Principles & Standards ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930518973 The competency area that relates to mental health in college campuses is the law, policy and governance (LPG).  It offers student affairs professionals and educators strategies to support mental health needs of college students.  The campuses need to have a good structure of documented policies and procedures with legal and ethical standards that allows to understand how to handle each mental health case (ACPA & NASPA, 2015).

    References
    ACPA, & NASPA. (2015). Professional competency areas for student affairs educators. https://www.naspa.org/images/uploads/main/ACPA_NASPA_Professional_Competencies_.pdf

    ]]>     2020-11-17 07:19:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930518973     12. Comparison of Two Approaches to Prevention of Mental Health Problems in College Students: Enhancing Coping and Executive Function Skills ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930531338 In this article explains the understanding of the associations among stress, coping, executive function and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD in young adults.  The importance of finding supports of intervention as opportunities to decrease stress and anxiety, and improve the functioning of college students.  In addition, college students should have the right no matter of what kind of mental health problem they have been diagnosed to continue their education and the college staff must be trained to understand and assist each individual according to their mental disability (Bettis et al.,2017).

    References
    Bettis, A. H., Coiro, M.J., England, J., Murphy, L.K., Zelkowitz, R.L., Dejardins, L., Eskridge, R. , Ader, L.H., Yarboi, J., Pardo, D., & Compas, B.E. (2017). Comparison of two approaches to prevention of mental health problems in college students: Enhacing coping and executive function skills. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1312411]]>     2020-11-17 07:23:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930531338     13. Best Practices for Compliance ksoriano4 https://padlet.com/ksoriano4/cp2z5m22208ccfaq/wish/930533332
  • College mental health issues are expanding in all campuses around the country, therefore  special attention should be given to the ethical issues involved in the delivery of mental heath services. 
  • Student affairs and educators must understand the ethical and legal standards and apply them to the college policies for the mentally ill to deliver the appropriate health services such as confidentiality guidelines, parents notification guidelines if needed, and provider-patient relationships (Guina, 2012).
  • Student affairs professionals and educators should be trained to identify any behavioral concerns to refer the individual to the appropriate services.  In addition, if they feel that the student behavior is disrupting the classroom or  the campus, then the professionals should be trained on how to approach the student or to contact the Police Department. 
  • One of the most common responses to campus violence at both the state and university levels has been related to people with mental illness.  Creating threat assessment teams that take action in approaching, preventing and assess behavioral threats in college campuses (Weldon, 2009).
  • Although mental illness is not always violent, it is an increased of risk of suicide which accounts of firearms related fatalities.  Shootings in school have been related to people wanting to suicide themselves but decide to take the lives of others before taking theirs.  Therefore, it is important to be aware of the gun policies in schools and to know who to report to if seen at areas that is not allowed.
  • Students with mental health issues are allowed to receive academic accommodations and reasonable modifications in school policies.  Mental disability students cannot be discriminated based on their health issue for example, forcing a student to leave the classroom or campus because he or she is not able to meet the basic academic requirements.  Student affairs and educators should be aware of the accommodations before dropping the student from their courses or suspending for not able to meet the requirements. 
  • Students  should not be disciplined for seeking help or because of behavior that is due to their illness.  However, if the student is disciplined for something that it was caused by the illness, the school must provide some type of hearing and/or appeal process (Bazelon, 2008).
    • References
    Bazelon, D.L. (2008). Campus mental health know your rights. Center for Mental Health Law. http://www.bazelon.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/YourMind-YourRights.pdf
    Guina, J. (2012). Ethical issues and the delivery of mental health services to college students. Harvard Health Policy Review, 13 , 7-10.
    Weldon, T. (2009). Campus violence and mental health: Protecting students and students' rights a delicate issue. The Council of State Governments. https://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/content/campus-violence-and-mental-health-protecting-students-and-students-rights-delicate-issue
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