Alcohol and Drug Policy
In accordance with the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act (34 CFR Part 86), this policy outlines the standards of conduct expected of Wayne State College students regarding the unlawful use of drugs or alcohol on college property or in any college sponsored activity. In addition, this document will describe legal sanctions (local, state, and federal), health risks, available assistance, and treatment avenues, as well as college imposed disciplinary measures.
Standards of conduct
The following acts shall be considered to constitute misconduct for which an offending student or student organization may be subject to disciplinary sanctions:
- Unlawful or unauthorized possession, use, distribution, dispensing, delivery, sale or consumption, manufacture, or being in the presence of any alcoholic beverage, including empty bottles/cans or any alcohol container on any part of campus including outdoor areas and parking lots;
- Alcohol consumption that endangers the health, safety, or property of oneself or another, or requires medical treatment or College staff intervention;
- Unlawful or unauthorized possession, use, distribution, delivery, dispensing, manufacture or sale, or being in the presence of any drug; being in possession of paraphernalia for drug use, except as expressly permitted by law, or being unlawfully under the influence of any drug unless directed by a licensed physician.
Disciplinary actions and legal sanctions
Disciplinary measures appropriate to the offense up to and including dismissal from the College may be imposed. The College will impose disciplinary sanctions on students for violation of the student conduct code relating to alcohol or drug use. Consult the current Student Handbook.
Students are subject to all applicable legal sanctions under local, state, and federal law regarding unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions may include incarceration and/or fines for those found guilty under these sanctions.
It should be emphasized that when a student's violation of the law also adversely affects the College's pursuit of its recognized educational objectives, the College may enforce its own regulations regardless of any civil proceeding or dispositions. When students violate a college regulation, they are subject to disciplinary action by the College whether or not their conduct violated civil law. If a student's behavior simultaneously violated a college regulation and the civil law, the College may take disciplinary action independent of that taken by civil authorities. When students violate laws off campus, they may incur penalties described by civil authorities. College discipline will be initiated for instances of student misconduct off campus which distinctly and adversely affect the college's pursuit of its recognized educational purposes.
Health risks
The health risks of using illegal drugs and the use of alcohol are difficult to predict due to the unknown chemicals involved in these substances. These health risks may be severe and lead to permanent impairment or even death. Even occasional use or experimentation can have significant negative consequences. The diminishing of intellectual ability, personality disintegration and long-term genetic damage are not uncommon occurrences among drug and alcohol abusers.
Assistance and treatment
Assistance is available through the Counseling Center (located on the atrium level of the Student Center), the Student Health Center (located in the Student Center and/or at Providence Medical Center), or any of the area community agencies, or private treatment centers for students seeking help for problems associated with illegal drug and alcohol use.