Chemical Substance Use Policy
College Position
The mental and physical health and well-being of students is vital to the success of the College and to the student, and is necessary to maintain the high standards of health care provided to the general public. The College has the right and obligation to provide students with a safe, healthy, efficient, and effective learning environment free from outside influences, including alcohol and illegal chemical substances.
Therefore, the College has established a policy regarding the use, possession, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs, which a student will follow while enrolled at the College. The College also will provide assistance to students experiencing personal, substance abuse, or family problems.
The College does not intend to impose a particular moral standard on students. But in order for the College to maintain quality, productivity, and the safety and well-being of students, there can be no illegal use or possession of chemical substances in the learning environment.
Definitions
“Illegal chemical substance” is any substance that an individual may not sell, possess, use, or distribute under the laws of the federal government and state in which he or she is employed, resides, or is engaged in an approved course of study. The term also includes prescription drugs obtained without authorization, or prescribed drugs and over-the-counter drugs not being used for their intended purposes. The term includes, but is not limited to, marijuana and cocaine.
Provisions
The College strongly encourages students with problems of illegal chemical substance use to seek help through the College’s Student Assistance Program. Anyone who voluntarily seeks treatment will receive help on a completely confidential basis.
A student may be subject to dismissal or may be referred to legal authorities if he or she possesses, uses, distributes, sells, or is under the influence of an illegal chemical substance while in class, on campus, or as a representative of the College during or outside normal classroom hours.
A student’s written or oral consent is not required to put the terms of this policy into effect; consent is implicit as a condition of continued enrollment in the College. An investigation to put the policy into effect may include, but is not limited to, a search of lockers assigned by the College or other items belonging to the students while the items are on property owned, operated, or under the control of the College. If a student does not cooperate with an investigation, he or she may be subject to dismissal from the College.
The College reserves the right to test all students enrolled in the academic program to determine the existence of chemical substances. The administration may randomly select students for screening by a supervised and nondiscriminatory method to identify students who are violating the College’s policy. If test results are positive, the student has the option to request assistance. If the student refuses to participate or cooperate in the screening, he or she will be automatically dismissed from the College.
Any student reasonably suspected of chemical abuse may also be required to submit to screening. Persons who fail selective screening will be subject to dismissal. Student consent to such screenings is not required as it is a condition of continued enrollment.
Students who voluntarily request assistance through the College’s Student Assistance Program prior to screening will be granted assistance without fear of disciplinary action.
