Alcohol And Drug Policy
Central College, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 and its 1989 amendments, but also speaking to a strong philosophical belief, establishes the following policy which is applicable to all students and employees as well as volunteers acting in an official capacity for the college.*
1. To help ensure the safety and well-being of employees, volunteers, students, and the general public, the college is committed to maintaining a campus work and educational environment that is free of the illegal use of drugs and alcohol.
a. The College prohibits its employees (including student workers) and volunteers from reporting to work or performing work for the college while impaired by, or under the influence of, illegal drugs, misused/abused prescription medication, or alcohol.
b. The illegal use, possession, dispensation, distribution, manufacture or sale of alcohol, drugs and/or drug paraphernalia by an employee/volunteer in the workplace, on campus, or while the employee/volunteer is on duty or official college business; or by a student and/or a guest on campus or during any College-sponsored on-campus and off-campus activities is prohibited. This policy includes the misuse/abuse of prescription medication.
2. No one may possess, use, manufacture, distribute, sell, trade and/or offer for sale, or auction alcoholic beverages on college property or at college-sponsored events except in accordance with the College’s State of Iowa liquor license, the College’s banquet permit/special event license procedure, or applicable college regulations.
a.The on-campus use, possession, dispensation, distribution, manufacture or sale of alcohol by a student and/or a guest, regardless of age, is prohibited except as permitted by the Central College President for specific College-sponsored events/functions.
b. Alcoholic beverages may not, under any circumstances, be used by, possessed by, consumed by, or distributed to any person under 21 years of age on campus or during any College-sponsored on-campus and off-campus activities.
c. Alcohol is prohibited in any on campus or College-owned/managed residential housing unit for residents and guests.
d. Items used for the purpose or promotion of high risk drinking (beer pong tables, beer bongs, etc.) are prohibited on campus.
3. Students and employees/volunteers of the college who violate the laws underlying this policy are subject to arrest and conviction under the applicable criminal laws of Pella, Marion County, the State of Iowa, and/or the United States.
a. Federal law contains further prohibitions against the manufacture, possession with the intent to distribute, or distribution of controlled substances, including, but not limited to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant or stimulant substances.
b. Iowa law prohibits the manufacture, delivery, possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver and possession of controlled substances. Local and state laws prohibit possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages outside of a residence or licensed liquor establishment. Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited for persons under the age of 21. Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is also prohibited.
The College recognizes all these regulations in its commitment to maintaining a healthy campus and workplace. The College recognizes that chemical dependency is a major threat to wholeness of personal health. The College is therefore committed to seeing that all its students and employees understand that: (a) the use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs can interfere physically, mentally, socially and spiritually with the ability to perform important functions (i.e., work performance, increased accidents, time lost for employees; and lower grades, reduced participation in College activities for students); (b) these drugs impair physical coordination and mental alertness and may damage the immune system, resulting in irreversible health problems and death; and (c) social behavior following use of alcohol or illegal drugs may be destructive to relationships.
Violations of the standards of conduct described in this policy may result in, among other things:
- Disciplinary sanctions, up to and including dismissal/termination; and/or
- A requirement to successfully complete a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and/or rehabilitation program.
Violators of this policy can also anticipate that the College may file a formal complaint with the legal authorities resulting in the appropriate legal sanctions, including monetary fines and/or imprisonment. Although the severity of the infraction will determine the nature of the College’s response, whenever possible the College will respond educationally rather than punitively to the illegal or improper use of drugs and/or alcohol by a survivor of sexual or relationship misconduct. The seriousness of sexual or relationship misconduct is a major concern and the College does not want any of the circumstances (e.g., drug or alcohol use) to inhibit the reporting of a violation of the Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy.
For students, the College Counseling Service provides evaluation and counseling for abuse of alcohol and drugs; see the Counseling Services webpage for information on how to schedule an appointment. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program; refer to the Human Resources page on my.central.edu for information about these services.
Students who have questions regarding this policy should contact the dean of students. Faculty should contact the associate dean for curriculum and faculty development. Staff should contact their supervisor or the office of human resources.
Definitions
1.”Illegal drugs” is defined as a substance or substances defined and regulated under the provisions of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Iowa Statutes, and includes but is not limited to CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, THC, hallucinogens, other illegal drugs such as PCP (angel dust) and cocaine or crack.
2. “Alcohol” and “alcoholic beverages” include, but are not limited to beer, “near-beer”/low-alcohol beer, and malt beverages; wine and low-alcohol wine; distilled spirits such as whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila; and liqueurs or fortified alcoholic beverages, that are consumed for non-medicinal purposes.
3. “On campus” means any building, facility, grounds or other property owned, leased or controlled by Central College.
4. “Official college/campus business” is defined as activity by an employee or volunteer that occurs in the performance of, or in the course of, assigned duties of College employment or business.
5. “College-sponsored off-campus events/functions/activities” include, but are not limited to, the following categories: (a) Academic-related (e.g., class excursions, laboratory field work, service-learning, internship); (b) professional preparation and/or development (e.g., conference, training); (c) service-related (e.g., mission trip, Central Service Day); (d) social (e.g., student organization cookout at West Market Park; residence life bowling activity); (e) official representation of Central College (e.g., music, theatre, admission, athletic competition).
* The Drug Free Workplace Act (1988) applies to employees of the College and students who are Pell Grant recipients. It requires the College to certify that a federal grantee will provide a drug-free workplace. The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (1986) and Amendments (1989) require that as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an institution must certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students. While these are distinct regulations, the College is stating with this single policy its intent to comply with both.
The college’s alcohol and drug policy is distributed to the campus community each year in the fall through written notification via email and/or campus mail. Residence life staff and orientation workers also lead sessions for students during the year which address college policy, individual decision making and ramifications of substance use/abuse on campus. Counseling services provides a wide variety of self-help information regarding alcohol and other drugs.
Smoking, Vaping, and Nicotine Policy
Central College is a tobacco- and nicotine-free environment. The use of any tobacco, vape, or nicotine product is strictly prohibited. Prohibited tobacco, vape, and nicotine products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chew, other tobacco or tobacco-like products, vapes, and all nicotine products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for tobacco cessation.
Use of these products is prohibited on all college property and grounds; this includes, but is not limited to, parking lots, athletics fields, stadia, and within any campus building, College vehicle, or personal vehicles while on college property.
This policy is in effect at all times, including college sponsored as well as non-college sponsored events, and including college-owned/leased vehicles and buildings.
For employees and students, a violation of this policy may result in discipline or sanctions, while visitors may be asked to leave campus.
Updated: Dec. 2, 2020