Student Policy for a Drug-Free Campus

Student Policy for a Drug-Free Campus

Policies & Procedures

1. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Nassau Community College is committed to a proactive preventative approach in assuring the campus is free of alcohol and substance abuse. The College operates in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 81) and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. To maintain an atmosphere conducive to fulfilling this mission, the College’s policy for a drug-free campus is as follows:

The College expressly prohibits the unlawful use, possession, manufacture, distribution, or dispensation of controlled substances, which includes alcohol, in all Nassau Community College facilities or while attending or conducting College business off campus.

No alcohol is permitted on campus without express permission of the President or his designee. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted on campus by anyone under the age of 21. Compliance with the provisions of the College's drug and alcohol policies is a condition of attendance at the College. The College’s drug and alcohol policies also apply to all student-sponsored social activities.

Violations of any rule of the Student Code of Conduct shall result in appropriate disciplinary action. Drug and Alcohol-related infractions of the Code of Conduct include the following:

  • Being present on campus or at any College function, whether on or off campus, under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics or drugs;
  • unauthorized possession, use, and/or sale, or intent to possess, use, or sell alcoholic beverages, narcotics, drugs or drug paraphernalia, while on campus, or at any College function, whether on or off campus.

2. DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS.

The College considers the illegal possession and/or use of drugs and alcohol to be extremely serious in nature. Such violations may constitute cause for immediate suspension and/or ejection from the campus. Disciplinary sanctions under the Code of Conduct for drug and alcohol-related offenses include:

  • social probation,
  • temporary suspension during the investigation period,
  • suspension for a specific period of time,
  • permanent expulsion,
  • permanent transcript notation if the drug or alcohol offense includes intentional behavior which could lead to death or serious injury of another person,
  • a “persona non-grata” designation prohibiting the student’s presence on campus entirely.
  • a “record hold,” which would prohibit the student from making any academic, financial, or social transactions without prior approval of the Office of the Dean of Students.
  • Other sanctions, including but not limited to community service, referral to counseling, mentoring, mandated enrollment in a course focused on drug and alcohol consumption, or any other sanction deemed appropriate under the circumstances by the Dean of Students and/or the Student Code of Conduct Committee.

In addition, if you are receiving any financial aid under Title IV, HEA* program funds during your enrollment at Nassau Community College, and you are convicted under any federal or state law for possession or sale of illegal drugs, you will lose eligibility for any Title IV, HEA grant, loan, or work-study assistance. (HEA Sec. 484(r)(1)); (20 U.S.C. 1091 (r)(1)). The period of ineligibility will be as follows:

If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance:

Offense Number:

Ineligibility period is:

First offense

1 year

Second offense

2 years

Third offense

Indefinite

If convicted of an offense involving the sale of a controlled substance:

Offense Number:

Ineligibility period is:

First offense

2 years

Second offense

Indefinite

*The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008, and reauthorizes the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). Title IV of the HEA provides for administration of Federal student financial aid programs. 

3. HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL

Nassau Community College is committed to supporting an environment which fosters academic success and continual learning as well as the health and well-being of the members of its community. The use and/or abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol carry possible health risks to the individual user as well as the campus community and community at large. Health-related and other risks associated with drug and alcohol use may include:

  • damage to major organs such as the brain, heart, lungs and liver;
  • medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
  • unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted sexual activity, poor academic performance or failure;
  • The use of alcohol during pregnancy may cause injury to the fetus or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
  • Users of needles for the use of drugs such as heroin or crack carry the risk of spreading HIV and Hepatitis from the sharing of those needles.
  • Additional health risks exist for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including those prescribed by a medical provider, and may result in driving-related injuries and even fatalities.
  • physical and mental dependence or addiction. Addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic and potentially fatal disease. Common signs and symptoms of addiction may include:
    • Drinking or using substances for the relief of withdrawal symptoms
    • Increased tolerance or reverse tolerance (drug sensitization)
    • Feeling guilt, shame or remorse (as a result of behavior while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs)
    • Anxiety, depression, or other mental health diagnosis
    • Concern from family and/or friends about drinking or drug use
    • Decline in work performance or loss of interest in hobbies and daily activities
    • Inability to remember what happened when drinking (blackouts)
    • Financial difficulties including making sacrifices for the purchase of drugs
    • Having problems with the law through increasingly risky behaviors and impaired judgment
    • Denial or not being aware that a problem exists
    • Much time dedicated to the use of a substance (obsession)
    • Use that continues despite known health problems that have developed from use
  • For more information on specific health risks of certain drugs and alcohol use, please review the following information from the Centers for Decease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health and Human Services (NIH):

4. LEGAL SANCTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ILLICIT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL

Unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol violate College policy, as well as local, New York State and Federal laws.  Violation of drug and alcohol-related laws will subject individuals not only to sanctions under the College’s Student Code of Conduct, but also to criminal sanctions.

Note on Marijuana: On March 31, 2021, New York State legalized recreational marijuana use by adults 21 and older. However, smoking or vaping cannabis in New York remains prohibited in any place where smoking is prohibited, and is specifically prohibited at colleges and universities. As such, the Nassau Community College policy remains unchanged: the College prohibits the possession, use, consumption, transfer, manufacturing, sale or distribution of marijuana. Despite the State’s legalization of marijuana use, the federal government regards marijuana as a Schedule I Controlled Substance (see table in Appendix A), and possession of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Under the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, institutions of higher education must have a program in place to prevent unlawful possession, use and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on campus, as part of a college’s activities and programs, and as a condition of receiving federal funds. Marijuana is still designated as an illicit drug under federal law, and is not permitted on the College campus.   

Appendices A, B and C include a detailed summary of violations of Federal and New York State drug and alcohol laws, along with related penalties and sentencing guidelines. The following information is covered:

  1. Federal penalties for trafficking of Schedule I, II, II, IV, and V substances, such as cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, LSD, and methamphetamine. (See Appendix A).
  2. Summary of federal marijuana laws and related penalties. (See Appendix A).
  3. Summary of New York State’s Alcohol and Beverage Control Law, Article 5 (“ABC Law”), focusing on procuring alcohol for those who are under 21 years of age. (See Appendix B).
  4. Summary of New York State’s Vehicle and Traffic Law, Article 31, focusing on operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. (See Appendix B).
  5. Summary of New York State’s Penal Law, Article 220, focusing on criminal possession of controlled substances, excluding marijuana. (See Appendix C).
  6. Summary of New York State’s Penal Law, Article 222, Cannabis. (See Appendix C).

5. DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS

 

 

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