The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 requires each institution of higher education that receives any form of financial assistance (including direct loans to students), to adopt and implement a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. To comply with this amendment, Wittenberg includes a detailed policy in the faculty, staff and student manuals.

To view Wittenberg's policy statement, please click on the appropriate link below. Informational brochures regarding substance and alcohol abuse, are available in the wellness rack at the Switchboard in Recitation Hall, the Health and Counseling Center in Shouvlin and in the Office of Human Resources.

• Faculty/Staff Substance Abuse Policy
• Student Substance Abuse Policy
• Resources for Help with Substance Abuse

---

FACULTY & STAFF SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

Wittenberg University, as a church-related school in partnership with its supporting synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, respects and defends the Church's position that substance abuse is destructive of God's good gift of personhood.

The university recognizes drug/alcohol dependency as an illness and a major health problem. The university also recognizes drug abuse as a potential health, safety, and security problem. Faculty and staff members needing help in dealing with such problems are encouraged to contact their supervisor, the Pastor to the University, the Director of Student Counseling, or the Director of Human Resources. The Office of Human Resources should be contacted for referral to various agencies through our informal employee assistance program and/or health plans, as appropriate. Conscientious efforts to seek such help will not jeopardize any employee's job and will not be noted in any personnel record.

It is Wittenberg University's policy that faculty and staff will remain free of illicit drugs or substances while employed and working in the workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace. The abuse of alcohol or the use, misuse and abuse of drugs and other illicit substances (for non-medical purposes) will not be tolerated. A faculty or staff member who engages in illicit drugs or substances on the job or comes to work on university property under the influence of such will be subject to the University Rules of Conduct and to disciplinary action, as outlined in university employment manuals. Faculty and staff members must, as a condition of employment, abide by the terms of the above policy and report any conviction under a criminal drug statute for violations occurring on or off university premises while conducting university business. A report of a conviction must be made within five (5) days after the conviction to the Director of Human Resources. (This requirement is mandated by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.)

If you would like more information or have questions regarding this policy, please contact Maureen Sheehan Massaro in the Office of Human Resources as 327 - 7517.

---

STUDENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

Wittenberg University, as a church-related school in partnership with its supporting synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, respects and defends the Church's position that substance abuse is destructive of God's good gift of personhood.

The University recognizes drug/alcohol dependency as an illness and a major health problem. The University also recognizes drug abuse as a potential health, safety, and security problem. Students needing help in dealing with such problems are encouraged to contact one of the resources listed under Alcohol and Drug Resources.

Illegal and/or irresponsible use of alcohol or drugs will not be tolerated and may subject involved students to dismissal and referral for prosecution. Please see references in the Student Handbook for specific rules and sanctions for both the University Alcohol Policy and the University Drug Policy. This policy is mandated by the Drug-Free School and Communities Act of 1990.

Wittenberg University seeks to promote an atmosphere in which abstinence from alcohol use is supported and respected, where responsible use of alcohol by persons of legal age is accepted, and irresponsible use is not tolerated. Wittenberg accepts the responsibility to provide education about responsible alcohol use and to intervene in situations in which individuals misuse and abuse the chemical. The University will intervene out of concern for both the individual and the wider community. The University will make provision for a full social life without the use of alcohol available to all students. The University recognizes five obligations in the implementation of this alcohol policy:

1. to support those who choose to abstain from the use of alcohol;

2. to provide educational opportunities to the Wittenberg community (resident advisers, student managers, residence coordinators, security, faculty, staff, and students) to sensitize them to the implications and effects of alcohol use, misuse, abuse, and addiction;

3. to expect individuals who use alcohol to act responsibly and respect the rights, needs, and lifestyles of other members of the community;

4. to formulate and maintain guidelines for appropriate responses to the misuse and abuse of alcohol on campus; and

5. to provide assistance and referral for those with alcohol-related problems.

GUIDELINES

Responsibility

1. Students are held responsible for their behavior when under the influence of alcohol in the same manner in which they are held responsible for their behavior when not under the influence of alcohol.

2. The Dean of Students or a designee(s) has the option of revoking the privilege to consume alcohol of an individual, any organization, or off-campus property lease if recurring patterns of irresponsible behavior should occur.

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PENALTIES

Ohio law prohibits illicit selling, cultivating, manufacturing, or otherwise trafficking in controlled substances, including cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and marijuana, knowingly or recklessly furnishing them to a minor, and administering them to any person by force, threat, or deception with the intent to cause serious harm. These offenses are felonies. The law also prohibits knowingly obtaining, possessing, or using a controlled substance and permitting drug abuse on one's premises or in one's vehicle. These offenses may be either felonies or misdemeanors. The law further prohibits obtaining, possessing, or using hypodermics for unlawful administration of drugs and the sale to juveniles of paraphernalia for use with marijuana. These offenses are misdemeanors.

Ohio law provides for mandatory fines, which must be at least $500, and possible imprisonment of any person who sells or furnishes beer or intoxicating liquor to an underage person or who buys beer or liquor for an underage person in violation of the law. Persons found knowingly to allow underage persons to possess and/or consume alcoholic beverages on their premises are guilty of a misdemeanor.

A felony conviction may lead to imprisonment or both imprisonment and fine. The maximum prison term is 25 years. A misdemeanor conviction may lead to imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine up to $1,000. With regard to beer and intoxicating liquor, Ohio law provides that a person under 21 years of age who orders, pays for, attempts to purchase, possesses, or consumes beer or liquor, or furnishes false information to effect a purchase, commits a misdemeanor. Ohio law prohibits the possession of beer or liquor which was not lawfully purchased, and a court may order that any place where beer or liquor is unlawfully sold not be occupied for one year, or that the owner or occupant of the premises be required to furnish a surety bond of $1,000 to $5,000. Ohio law requires the mandatory suspension of an individual's license from six months to five years for violation of the Controlled Substance Act.

Federal law forbids the illegal possession of and trafficking in controlled substances. A person convicted for the first time of possessing a controlled substance, other than crack cocaine, may be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined between $1,000 and $100,000. A second conviction carries a prison term of up to two years and a fine of up to $250,000. Subsequent convictions carry prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to $250,000. Imprisonment for 5-20 years and fines of up to $250,000 apply to persons possessing more than five grams of crack cocaine on the first conviction, three grams on the second, and one gram on subsequent convictions. In addition to the above sanctions, a person convicted of possessing a controlled substance may be punished for forfeiture of property used to possess or facilitate possession, if the offense is punishable by more than one year in prison, forfeiture of any conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance, denial of federal benefits, such as student loans, for up to five years, ineligibility to receive or purchase a firearm, and a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

RULES AND REGULATIONS - LOCATION

1. Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages in academic buildings is prohibited at all times.

2. Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages at all athletic events, including intercollegiate, club, and intramural sports, is prohibited at all times.

3. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property is prohibited except as provided in the guidelines below:
   1. University-Owned Rental Properties
      Tenant shall neither hold nor permit to occur, any porch or lawn party on the premises. Social gatherings must be held within the house or apartment. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by lessee or guests is the responsibility of the lessee.

   2. Greek Houses
      The use of alcoholic beverages within each Greek house by its own member-ship (actives, pledges/associates only) is the responsibility of the chapter. Each Greek chapter is held responsible for adherence to federal, state, and local laws, their national policy and guidelines, and the chapter's Statement of Mutual Understanding, relating to possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Use of alcoholic beverages for rush and pledge activities is prohibited.

   3. Residence Halls - Student's Room
      Consumption of any alcoholic beverage by a student of age or guest of age may take place within the confines of a student's room in accordance with the law of the State of Ohio. When such consumption does take place, the student's room door must be closed. Kegs, beer balls, or similar types of containers are not permitted in student rooms. Underage students may not be present in rooms where alcohol is being consumed. Open containers, carriers, or cups of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any lounge, hallway, restroom, or other public area of a residence hall. A minimum fine of $50 is levied for violation of this policy.

   4. Open Containers
      Consuming or possessing alcohol in an open container in any University district location is not permitted and will subject the violator(s) to disciplinary action. The fine for the first offense is a minimum of $100.

Fines

Following is a schedule of fines for the first offense. Subsequent offenses are handled on a case-by-case basis.

1. 1. Open container-minimum $100 fine

   2. Serving, receiving, or possessing illegal beverages-$250 fine for organizations, possible probation

   3. Not serving food and nonalcoholic beverages together with alcoholic beverages-$250 fine for organizations, possible probation

   4. All other violations-appropriate disciplinary action as determined by the appropriate judicial body

2. Driving under the influence of alcohol either on- or off campus is grounds for disciplinary action which may include loss of driving privileges, probation, or suspension.

Cleanup and Damage

1. All cleanups should be completed immediately following any social event. The sponsoring group will be charged a minimum of $100 for improper cleanup. Additional charges may be levied, as necessary, by the Dean of Students or designee.

2. Any damages that occur on campus which are a result of any social event shall be charged to the sponsoring group (officers, organizers) and/or the responsible individual(s).

Student Development's Response to Alcohol-Related Behaviors

First offense, no incident: Sanctions to include standard minimum response (letter of warning, $50 fine)

First offense, with incident: Sanctions to include, at minimum, standard minimum response and alcohol education, possible counseling and assessment

Second offense, no incident: Sanctions to include alcohol education

Second offense, with incident: Sanctions to include alcohol education (if applicable), and counseling (assessment & follow-up)

Third offense, no incident: Sanctions to include assessment/counseling

Third offense, with incident: Sanctions to include assessment/counseling

Incidents may include, but are not limited to vandalism, harassment, failure to comply, verbal threat and/or abuse, incapacitation, illness, fainting, or accident due to alcohol consumption.

Health Risks

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low-to-moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts including spouse and child abuse. Moderate-to-high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person's ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol produce the effects just described.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk of becoming alcoholics than are other youngsters.

• Alcohol - Addiction, brain damage, cancer (mouth, stomach, throat), heart disease, liver damage, ulcers, gastritis, birth defects, malnutrition, loss of coordination and speech

• Marijuana - Addiction (psychological), distortion of time perception, increased heart rate, bronchitis, lung cancer, infertility

• Cocaine/Crack - Addiction, nasal erosion, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, hyperactivity, pupil dilation, respiratory arrest, stroke, convulsions, seizures, malnutrition, death

• Stimulants (caffeine, speed, amphetamines) - Addiction, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, insomnia, malnutrition, acute psychosis, nausea, liver damage, headache, sweating coma, possible death

• Depressants (quaaludes, barbiturates, tranquilizers) - Addiction, depression of central nervous system, decreased coordination and motor skills, liver damage, malnutrition, irritability, sleep, confusion, convulsions, possible death

• Narcotics (opium, heroin, codeine) - Addiction, shallow breathing, nausea, panic, insomnia, malnutrition, constipation, respiratory arrest, possible death

• Hallucinogens (PCP, LSD, acid) - Addiction, mental depression, bizarre behavior, severe disorientation, memory and perception impairment, impairment of judgment and motor function, violence, hallucinations, psychosis, convulsions, agitation, increased heart rate, confusion, possible death

• Inhalants (white-out, glue, gasoline) - Addiction, depression of respiration, nausea, light-headedness, nasal erosion, fatigue, forgetfulness, depression, kidney and liver damage, malnutrition, heart failure, violence, suffocation, possible death

ALCOHOL AND DRUG RESOURCES

Wittenberg Health and Wellness Center
Wittenberg University
001 Shouvlin Center
(937) 327-7811l

• Campus Consultation
• Counseling
• Education
• Referral

Greene Memorial Hospital
1141 North Monroe Drive
Xenia, Ohio
(937) 429-3360l

• Outpatient services
• Inpatient treatment

McKinley Hall
1101 E. High Street
Springfield, Ohio
(937) 328-5300l

• Evaluation
• Assessment
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling

Mercy Reach
1343 N. Fountain
Springfield, Ohio
(937) 390-5338l

• Evaluation
• Assessment
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling