Alcohol and Drug
Prevention Policy
University of Michigan-Flint
Office
of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Effective
Date: September 1, 2000
Updated/revised:
Winter 2010
______________________
Introduction
The University of
Michigan-Flint is committed to providing a safe, healthy learning community for
all its members. The University recognizes that the improper and excessive use
of alcohol and other drugs may interfere with the University's mission by
negatively affecting the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.
Problems such as vandalism, assault, harassment, and disruption of sleep and
study space increase in relation to misuse. It is due to the harm caused by
excessive and illegal use that the University has a vested interest in
establishing polices to prohibit unlawful behavior, and sanctions to address
policy violations by members of the UM-Flint community.
Under the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Policy
Employees, students, and campus visitors may not consume, possess, distribute,
or be under the influence of non-prescription drugs and/or alcoholic beverages
on University property, with the following exception:
1. University functions at which use of alcohol is approved.
All members of the campus community are also governed by laws, regulations and
ordinances established by the state and local municipalities, and will be held
accountable by law enforcement representatives of those entities for any
illegal activity. It is the responsibility of all campus members to be aware of
these laws.
Alcohol and Other Drug
Prevention Program
Changing the community culture from one that is indifferent to, or tolerates,
the harm caused by excessive and illegal use requires participation by all
members of the community. The University of Michigan-Flint has a comprehensive
substance abuse prevention program which utilizes nationally recognized best
practices. These practices are employed in order to actively promote an
environment that discourages the harmful abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and
strives to prevent subsequent negative outcomes. Strategies that are utilized
include: informing students about alcohol and other drug policies, and possible
consequences for policy violations; educational media campaigns promoting legal
moderate use; providing information to parents about alcohol issues on campus
during parent orientation; facilitating various education, skill building, and
intervention programs to assist students in gaining knowledge and skills; and
providing resources and support for students who seek treatment services. For
more information please contact the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student
Affairs at 810-762-3456.
Health Risks
The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs increases the risk for a number of
health related and other medical, behavioral, and social problems. These
include acute health problems related to intoxication or overdose (blackouts,
convulsions, coma, death); physical and psychological dependence; malnutrition;
long-term health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, organic brain
damage, high blood pressure, heart disease; contracting diseases such as AIDS,
through sharing of hypodermic needles; pregnancy problems including
miscarriages, fetal alcohol syndrome (physical and mental birth defects);
psychological or psychiatric problems; diminished behavior (hangovers,
hallucinations, disorientation, slurred speech); unusual or inappropriate
risk-taking which may result in physical or emotional injury or death; violent
behavior towards others, such as assault and rape; accidents caused by
operating machinery while impaired; impaired driving resulting in alcohol and
drug-related arrest, traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities; negative
effects on academic work performance; conflicts with co-workers, classmates,
family, friends and others; conduct problems resulting in disciplinary action,
including loss of employment; and legal problems including imprisonment.
Counseling and Treatment Programs
The
Students:
The Campus Counselor (810-762-3456) can provide information on local, state,
and federal resources available for those seeking assistance.
Faculty and Staff:
The
Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy and Student Organizations
The
1. It is illegal for student organizations to sell alcohol in the state of Michigan. Student organizations can significantly improve personal safety and reduce liability by not providing alcohol to any person.
2. If alcohol is to be present at an organization-sponsored activity, the organization can provide for the safety of its members and reduce its liability if:
1. Alcohol is not the focus of the event;
2. Appealing alternative beverages are provided;
3. Procedures are in place to prevent service or sale to persons under the legal age of twenty-one;
4. Alcoholic beverages are not purchased with organization funds nor with the contributions of individual members;
5. Alcohol is not served from common or self-serve containers;
6. Service complies with this Policy, as well as the rules of the facility;
7. Designated non-drinking hosts are assigned to attend the event;
8. Alternative transportation (taxi service) is made available to attendees who may be intoxicated.
If alcohol is to be present at an event, the preferred method of serving alcohol is to use a caterer or hold the event at a site provided by a vendor who is licensed to sell and serve alcohol. If these methods are not possible, the next best option is to request that guests of age bring a reasonable and limited amount of alcohol that only they will personally consume at the event. Schools, departments, units and administrative offices as appropriate are expected to encourage student organization compliance with these expectations and recommendations.
University Sanctions
Students: The University has established expectations for
non-academic student conduct under the Statement of Student Rights and
Responsibilities. The illicit use of alcohol and other drugs is considered
misconduct and subject to disciplinary action:
· Illegally possessing or using alcohol
· Illegally distributing, manufacturing, or selling alcohol
· Illegally possessing or using drugs
· Illegally distributing, manufacturing, or selling drugs
The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.umflint.edu/dsa/images/StudentRightsBro.pdf) is administered by the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). Sanctions cover a wide range of educational assignments and obligations, including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion from the institution. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs oversees conduct and hearing processes as outlined in the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Academic units of the University may also have
written or implied policies concerning management of alcohol use and their
response to the illicit use of alcohol and other drugs in the academic setting.
Students are expected to know and understand these additional policies and
abide by them.
Student Organizations: Policy violations by student
organizations will be handled through the student organization judicial process
administered by the Office of Student Life.
Staff and Faculty: Sanctions for violations by faculty and staff
are governed by policies within individual departments and any applicable
guidelines set by University regulations (Regents' Bylaw 5.09, Standard
Practice Guide 201.12 [http://spg.umich.edu/section/201/ ]), appropriate collective bargaining agreements, and
other applicable policies or procedures. Appropriate sanctions may include:
verbal or written warnings, a mandated rehabilitation program, probation,
suspension, and termination. In each case there are likely to be different
circumstances that are relevant for understanding the situation and determining
the appropriate sanction.
Students/Faculty/Staff and Student Organizations: Unlawful possession,
manufacture, use, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs by faculty,
staff, or students on University property or as a part of any University activity
may lead to sanctions within the University, the severity of which shall
increase as the seriousness of the violation increases. Sanctions include:
· A verbal or written reprimand;
· Completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program;
· A disciplinary warning, with notice that repetition of the offense or continuation of the offense may result in a more serious sanction;
· Suspension from the University (student) or from employment (employee) or from a specified University activity or facility for a fixed period of time or until completion of specific conditions, such as completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program;
· Expulsion from the University (student) or termination of employment (faculty or staff); and/or
· Other appropriate sanctions.
External Sanctions
Federal laws impose significant criminal penalties for the unlawful possession,
use, manufacture or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs. These penalties
include fines and/or imprisonment.
Alcohol: Under Michigan law it is
illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, consume or possess, or have
any bodily content of alcohol. A first time conviction may result in a fine,
substance abuse education and treatment, community service and court-ordered
drug screenings. There is also a provision for possible imprisonment or
probation for a second or subsequent offense. Use of false identification by
minors in obtaining alcohol is punishable with a fine, loss of driver's
license, probation and community service.
Individuals can be arrested/convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated
with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at .08 or higher. If a student
is under 21, there is a "zero tolerance" law in the state of Michigan
and any blood alcohol level of .01 or higher can lead to a minor in possession
(MIP) ticket as well as being cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
This is in addition to suspension of driving privileges in the state of
Drugs: Unlawful possession, use, or
distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs may lead to a referral to the
appropriate local, state, and/or federal authorities for prosecution for a
misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the nature of the offense. The sanctions
for such offenses may include fines and/or imprisonment.
Employee Reporting
Requirement
Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, in addition to the other
requirements of this policy, a faculty or staff member who works in any
capacity under a federal grant or contract must notify his or her University
supervisor or department head, in writing, of his or her conviction for a
violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than
five calendar days after such conviction. This applies to direct charge
employees and to indirect charge employees who perform any support or overhead
functions related to the grant. The supervisor or department head must then
promptly report the violation to the General Counsel's Office.
Distribution of Policy
A copy of this policy statement will be distributed to all faculty, staff and
students annually via email at the beginning of fall and winter semesters.
Review of University Prevention Program and Policy
Biennially the University shall review its "Alcohol and Other Drugs
Prevention Program and Policy" to determine effectiveness and implement
changes, if needed, and to ensure that the University's disciplinary sanctions
are consistently enforced.
For More Information concerning this policy, contact the Vice
Chancellor for Student Affairs at 810-762-3434.