Alcohol and Drugs Policy

Policy

Lewis & Clark College seeks to assure the health and well-being of the entire College community. Therefore, consistent with state and federal laws, including the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act, the College prohibits the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol, and provides opportunities for education and assistance to members of the College community.

The College prohibits the unlawful use, abuse, sale, purchase, transfer, possession, manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of drugs or alcohol by students and employees on College property or as part of any College activity. This prohibition includes cannabis products that are illegal under federal law. (As a recipient of federal funds, including federal student financial aid, the College is required to prohibit cannabis and any other substance that is illegal under federal law, regardless of the status of that substance under state law.)

In accordance with Oregon law, the service of alcohol to or consumption by any person who is under the age of 21 or is intoxicated is prohibited. All members of the Lewis & Clark community and the sponsors of any on-campus or College-sponsored activity or social event at which alcoholic beverages are served must abide by all applicable laws. Event sponsors must follow all applicable legal, regulatory and college procedures related to the service and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol may not be consumed in the course of any class, laboratory, or other activity at which attendance is required as part of a student’s course or degree requirements, except in narrow circumstances previously approved by the applicable dean. (See End Note below.)

The College expects that those employed by the College in any capacity will carry out their duties free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The College has established a drug and alcohol awareness program to inform members of the College community about: the dangers of alcohol or drug abuse; the College’s policy on drugs and alcohol use; available alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and the penalties that may be imposed for violations of this policy.

The College encourages students and employees who use illegal drugs or who abuse alcohol to seek appropriate assistance.

Non-compliance with this policy may result in penalties up to and including expulsion from the College and termination of employment. The nature and severity of the violation will determine the progression of corrective action. If the situation warrants, expulsion or termination of employment may occur on a first offense. As required by federal law, the College reserves the right to refer students or employees for prosecution depending on the severity of the violation.

In addition to any disciplinary action that may be taken against individuals, any College-sponsored or College-supported groups that condone or encourage violations of this policy may be subject to discipline and possibly to dissolution.

The College also reserves the right to remove any and all persons from the College facilities or otherwise separate those persons from the institution whenever there may be a threat to the safety, health, or well-being of the College or a member of the college community.

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires that any employee of the College community who has been convicted of a violation of the statute involving illegal drugs shall notify the Associate Vice President of Human Resources within five days of the criminal conviction if the conduct giving rise to the conviction occurred on campus or while the member was engaged in activities sponsored by or connected to the College. The College will then make any reports to government agencies that may be required by law.

The CAS Student Code of Conduct includes a policy prohibiting the use or distribution of illegal drugs which should be read in conjunction with this policy.

(End Note: A dean may approve an exception to this prohibition for a course that is specific to the restaurant, beer, wine or other related industries in which alcohol tastings occur off campus or, if alcohol is consumed on campus, it must be served by an OLCC-certified server under the supervision of the professor. Any such plan for serving alcohol must be approved in advance in writing by the dean, and must be conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and other College policies.)