Public University Has Barred Me From Campus And Is Forcing Me Out Of My Apartment Following A Sexual Assault Report And Medical Emergencies.

Location: MI

I’m a 20-year-old undergraduate at a public university in Michigan. I’m facing a potentially imminent loss of housing and access to my education, and I’m trying to understand my legal rights.

Approximately a week ago, I reported being sexually assaulted by a professor who was also one of my academic mentors. The university placed him on administrative leave, barred him from campus, and initiated its own Title IX investigation. I’ve cooperated with the investigation and provided extensive documentation.

In the aftermath, I’ve experienced significant trauma-related distress and several medical episodes. I have established diagnoses of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and vasovagal syncope, both of which I’ve previously undergone specialist evaluation for. I also recently received inpatient psychiatric treatment and am continuing outpatient treatment.

On Friday, November 13, I received a notice initiating an involuntary medical leave-of-absence proceeding against me. Effective immediately, the university has prohibited me from attending in-person classes, entering campus buildings, or participating in university activities.

Most urgently, I live in a university-owned apartment, for which I paid an absurd amount of money. This is my only home. I have no parental residence to return to and no alternative family housing.

The university has informed me that I may remain in my apartment until an informal show-cause meeting on Monday, November 16, but pending the results of this hearing, may be required to vacate by 9:00 p.m. that evening. Administrators are fully aware that this would leave me without housing. When I raised this concern, the Dean of Students referred me to a local homelessness-assistance organization.

The university characterizes these measures as protective rather than disciplinary and cites concerns about my health and safety. However, I dispute several material factual claims in its notice. For example, one ambulance transport is described as involuntary, although I personally requested the ambulance after recognizing worsening symptoms from a head injury. The notice also groups my longstanding neurological/autonomic conditions with isolated psychiatric crises to support a purported pattern of escalating unsafe behavior.

I’m concerned that the university has not adequately considered my existing medical treatment, reasonable accommodations, less restrictive alternatives, or the consequences of making me homeless.

Additionally, a senior administrator has instructed three longtime faculty mentors not to communicate with me at all. He gave this instruction immediately following the report of sexual assault and reiterated it again when this leave process was initiated. This has further disrupted my access to academic guidance and support.

Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening? Should I be in touch with an attorney? Does this sound like retaliation?