Student Handbook - Housing & Life Safety

Alcohol and Drug Policy

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 requires Colleges who receive federal financial assistance to certify the United States Department of Education documentation of a prevention program on the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by members of the College community.

Union College Policy on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Union College prohibits the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on the Union College campus, or while engaged in Union College-sponsored activities or employment. This includes all paraphernalia associated with the use of drugs and/or alcohol abuse. Union College observes all laws governing the use of alcoholic beverages within the State of New York and prohibits any violations of these laws. Students will be held personally responsible for complying with all aspects of federal, state, and local laws as well as the College’s Code of Conduct and any other rules governing alcohol and drug use. In its enforcement of the College policy, Union will act neither as a police agency enforcing the law nor as a sanctuary protecting those who violate laws regarding alcohol or other drugs.

Standards of Conduct

Individuals whose ability to reason and control their actions are impaired by excessive consumption of alcohol or illicit use of controlled substances put their lives at risk. Ultimately, such students endanger the well-being and safety of others. The College maintains that inebriation and/or ignorance of applicable laws governing the use of alcohol and drugs are not acceptable or justifiable excuses for disruptive or dangerous behavior. Such excuses do not release the individual from responsibility to the residential community and the College at large. Behavior that endangers mental and/or physical health creates legal liability, or puts lives at risk, will not be tolerated.

Students and officers of fraternal organizations who assume the role of Responsible Persons in accordance with the Social Events with Alcohol Policy are expected to fully comply with the requirement for hosting an Event. Their failure to assume these duties and obligation in good faith may endanger the mental and/or physical health of others, create legal liability, and put lives at risk and will not be tolerated. Students who are members of fraternal organizations will be subject to the College’s Alcohol and Drug Policies in the same manner as students residing in residence halls.

Irresponsible distribution of alcohol is prohibited. Such distribution includes, but is not limited to, any occasion when the atmosphere or circumstances are such that the intended or likely outcome is either abuse of alcohol or to become intoxicated. Examples of irresponsible distribution of alcohol include, but are not limited to: funnels, shot parties, beer pong, chugging contests, or other organized drinking games. Empty alcohol containers represent a health hazard, and students may not possess empty alcohol containers in their rooms in the residence halls. If found, empty containers may be considered evidence of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol in Residential Spaces

Union is primarily a community of underage students, and experience teaches that the abuse of alcohol can often interfere with the productive pursuit of a College education. Students who are under the age of 21 may not possess or consume alcohol anywhere on campus including the residential spaces. Residential spaces are defined as all College-owned and administered living units. The following actions relating to alcohol are prohibited:

Possessing, consuming, or distributing alcoholic beverages by student under the age of 21years.
Furnishing or selling any alcoholic beverages to any person under 21 years of age
Possessing or consuming alcohol in any public area outside the residence halls.
Possessing or consuming alcohol outside individual bedrooms or suites within the residence halls.
Collecting, displaying or storing empty alcohol containers.
Being incapacitated by alcohol or drugs whether under or over the age of 21 years.
Possessing or consuming alcohol from common sources including, but not limited to, kegs, beer balls, wine boxes, and punch bowls Exceptions may apply during registered social events (seed Alcohol with social Events policy).
Possessing or using a tap system or “regulator.”
Possessing any binge drinking device including, but not limited to, funnels or beer pong tables.
Participating in shot parties, beer pong, or any other organized drinking game.

Hard Alcohol

Evidence shows the irresponsible use of hard alcohol (liquor) by Union students greatly increases the risk of harm to themselves and others. Therefore, more severe sanctions will be imposed upon any student found to have distributed hard alcohol or consumed it in excess. Students age 21 and older may possess moderate amounts of hard alcohol.

Moderate = 750ml or 2 pints

Sanctions

As a matter of personal safety and well-being, the College regards the use of illegal drugs and alcohol as a health concern, a hindrance to academic performance and a disciplinary matter. Union College encourages its students to comply with local, state and federal laws regarding alcohol and drugs. The College will hold individuals responsible for violation of the College Alcohol and Drug policy. Sanctions consist of disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the College and referral to law enforcement officials for investigation and criminal prosecution where applicable.

Students found selling, manufacturing, or possessing drugs in amounts that indicate drug sales or distribution will face penalties ranging from suspension to expulsion. Students or organizations found illegally selling, manufacturing, or distributing alcohol will face disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Possession of drug paraphernalia that has been used, whether at the time of confiscation or not, is against the law and students who violate the law are subject to College discipline.

While each disciplinary case is evaluated individually, students who put themselves at risk or who violate the Alcohol and Drug Policy or the Conduct Code while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can expect to face disciplinary charges through the student judicial system and the criminal justice system where applicable. If found in violation of the Conduct Code, disciplinary sanctions may range from a formal warning with applicable points to expulsion. Students will be required to complete an educational experience. The educational experience may involve assessments, Campus service, parental notification, and meeting with The Health Educator to discuss personal alcohol and other drug use and abuse. Repeat violators of the Alcohol and Drug policy can expect an increased disciplinary sanction which may include progressive educational experiences, suspension, or expulsion.

The Counseling Center and Student Health Services can provide confidential consultation and referral to students with problems or concerns related to alcohol and/or drug use. Information about substance abuse and treatment programs is also available in the Office of the Dean of Students.

This policy implements the Drug Free School and Communities Act (20 U.S.C. 1145g)

The “ABC” Law

(The Alcohol Beverage Control Law)

The ABC Law addresses the issues pertaining to those under the age of twenty-one years who possess or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages as well as those who assist them.

Section 65

Section 65.1 Prohibited Sale -No person shall sell, deliver or give away an alcoholic beverage to any person, actually or apparently, under the age of twenty-one years. If you are working in a store/restaurant that sells alcoholic beverages, the only acceptable identifications are

Valid Driver’s License
Valid Passport or
U.S. Military ID

Section 65-a- Procuring Alcoholic Beverages for Persons Under the Age of Twenty-One-Years

It is a criminal offense to misrepresent the age of a person under twenty-one years to induce the sale of any alcoholic beverage.

Penalty - $200.00 fine and /or five days in jail

Section 65-b Offense for One Under the Age of Twenty-One Years to Purchase or Attempt to Purchase an Alcoholic Beverage Through Fraudulent means

Penalties – Fine up to $100.00, and/or up to 30 hours of community service, and/or completion of an alcohol awareness program. In addition, if a New York State driver’s license was used as identification, the court may suspend your license for 90 days.

Section 65-c Unlawful passion of an Alcoholic Beverage with Intent to Consume by persons Under the Age of Twenty-One Years

The Penalties of Drinking & Driving

Driving While Ability Impaired DWAI Violation

(More than.05 to .07 Blood Alcohol Content)

Offense	Fine	Jail Sentence	License Action
1^st	Minimum $300	Up to 15 days	90 Day Suspension***
	Maximum $500

2^nd	Minimum $500	Up to 30days	Minimum 6 months***
(within 5yr)	Maximum $750		Revocation

Chemical Test

Implies Consent-Any person who operates a motor vehicle in New York Stat has given consent to a chemical test for the purpose of determining the alcoholic and/or drug content of the blood.

** 1 Year revocation for persons under 21 years of age

***1 Year or until person reaches the age of 21 years.

Driving While Intoxicated-DWI Misdemeanor

Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs Misdemeanor

Driving While Ability Impaired by the Influence of Alcohol and any Drug

Offense	Fine	Jail Sentence	License Action
1st	Minimum $500	UP to one year	Minimum 6 months**
	Maximum $1,000		Revocation

2nd	Minimum $1,000	Up to four years	Minimum 1 year***
Felony	Maximum $5,000		Revocation

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated Enhanced

(.18 and over Blood Alcohol Content) Misdemeanor

Offense	Fine	Jail Sentence	License Action
	Minimum $1,000
	Maximum. $2,500	Up to one year	Up to 18 months

Ignition interlock with Probation

REFUSAL	FINE	LICENSE ACTION
1^st Offense	$500	1 year revocation**

2^nd Offense	$750	18 months revocation
		( 0r until 21years old)

ZERO TOLERANCE LAW applies to a person under 21 years of age. (More than .07 up to .20 BAC)

First Offense includes a fine $125 and a 6 month Suspension

Penalties: Fine up to $50.00 and/or up to 30 hours of community service, and/or completion of an alcohol awareness program.

Conviction fine only. Does not include mandatory conviction surcharge or crime victim’s

**For license revocations, the Department of Motor Vehicles determines when your license ca be returned. Its return or reinstatement, based on stat law or regulation, is not automatic. You must reapply for your license and may have to take a test. Three or more alcohol or drug-related offenses within 10 years can result in a permanent revocation, which a waiver request permitted after at least five years.

Mandatory Screening: If you are charged with or convicted of certain alcohol-related offense, the courts will order alcohol screening and/or alcohol evaluation, prior to sentencing.

Drug Abuse

The Union College campus is not a sanctuary from the law in matters of illicit drug use. The use of illicit drugs, synthetic drugs and marijuana can adversely affect the academic and personal life of the individual, and has the potential to disrupt the academic and residential community of the College. Thus, the possession, distribution, or the use of illegal drugs, synthetic drugs and narcotics, including but not limited to amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and LSD, Synthetic drugs and any associated paraphernalia is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in disciplinary action which may include assigning of applicable points, campus/community services, referral to Health Educator, suspension, or expulsion.

The present prohibitions of the New York law include but are not limited to the following:

The distribution of any type of illicit or controlled substance and most particularly, the possession of illicit drug substances with the intent to distribute, can result in severe criminal prosecution which ranges in severity from a minimum of 8-25 years imprisonment up to and including a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The gradation of sanctions for the illegal use, distribution, or possession of illegal drugs and narcotics varies greatly. The Penal Code of New York State on illicit use of drugs, controlled substances and marijuana is extensive. However, students should be aware that legal sanctions related to the illicit use, possession or distribution of drugs will be severe in nature and are determined not only by the type and amount of drugs in question, but also whether or not the individual has any record of prior convictions.

A student who is convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance while enrolled in an institution of higher education and receiving any federal financial aid (e.g. grant, loan, or work assistance) will lose his/her eligibility for such federal assistance according to the following schedule:

If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance, the 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, the ineligibility period is:

First Offense	2 years
Second Offense	Indefinite

Drug Laws

Federal and New York State laws provide many legal sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of controlled substances. These sometimes include severe criminal penalties such as fines and/or imprisonment. The severity of the penalty depends upon the nature of the criminal act and the identity and amount of the illicit drug involved. Some examples are:

Drug	Potential Sanctions
Cocaine	Possession of even 500 mg. of cocaine can result in a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
LSD	Possession of as little as 1 mg can result in up to 15 years in prison.
Marijuana	Possession of as little as 25 g. can result in a maximum of three months in jail or a $500 fine.

Health Risks of Drug and Alcohol Use

Alcohol Effects

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair judgment and coordination. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses, including, sexual assault, vandalism, physical and verbal fights and incidents of drinking and driving. 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 will produce the effect just described. Alcohol combined with other drugs, even over- the -counter and prescribed medication, can cause a variety of effects including, but not limited to, respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, and death.

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 liver.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness and Education

Union College provides educational programs and activities that are designed to provide information about the effects of alcohol and illicit drug use on the individual and on the life of the community. Personal responsibility and accountability as well as familiarity with New York State law on alcohol and drug abuse is emphasized. Every student who intends to serve as a designated server at Chet’s or any other event on campus is required to participate in a social host training program. Educational programming begins with New Student Orientation and is further promoted by joint programming (lectures and speakers in a variety of venues) sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students and various student organizations as well as the Office of Residential Life. Students found in violation of the Alcohol and Drug Policy may be required to meet with the Health Educator to discuss the student’s use and abuse of substances.

In addition to the information found in this publication, additional information on the potential hazards of illicit drug use and alcohol abuse can be obtained in Health Services and the Counseling Center.

Available Resources, Services, and Referrals

Information on local resources is printed for general information only and does not constitute endorsement of such services by the College. Students are encouraged to consult with their parents or guardians and/or their health care provider in making an informed decision on the appropriate type and location of an alcohol and/or drug assessment, counseling, or treatment facility.

College Resources:

Counseling Center, Silliman Hall (388-6161)

Dean of Students Office, Reamer Campus Center (388-6061)

Amanda Tommell, Health Educator

Union College Counseling Center

Silliman Hall 3^rd Floor

807 Union Street

Schenectady, NY 12308

Phone: (518) 388-6161

Fax: (518) 388-6147

Email: tommella@union.edu

Local Resources:

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Schenectady County

http://www.ny-aa.org/schenectady/

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Schenectady County, Inc.

302 State Street

Schenectady, NY 12305

(518) 346-4436

Conifer Park (Inpatient Treatment)

79 Glenridge Road

Glenville, NY 12302

(518) 399-6446

Conifer Park (Outpatient Treatment)

600 Franklin Street

Schenectady, NY 12305

(518) 372-7031

St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (Outpatient Treatment)

2925 Hamburg Street

Schenectady, NY 12303

(5180 357-2909

Illicit Drugs Effects

Drugs	Physical	Psychological	Possible Effects	Effects of	Withdrawal
	Dependence	Dependence		Overdose	Syndrome
Stimulants
Hydromorphoe	High	High	Respiratory depression	Convulsion	Panic
					Cramps
Oxycodone	High	High	Constricted Pupils	Coma	Nausea
Methadone and LAAM	High	High	Nausea	Possible death	Runny nose
Fentanyl and Analogs	High	High			Chills and sweating
Other Narcotics	High-Low	High-Low			Watery eyes

Depressants
Chloral Hydrate	Moderate	Moderate	Slurred speech	Shallow respiration	Anxiety
Barbiturates	High-Moderate	High-Moderate	Disorientation	Clammy skin	Insomnia
Benzodiazepines	Low	Low	Drunken behavior	Dilated pupils Weak and rapid pulse	Tremors Delirium
			without odor of alcohol
Glutethimide	High	Moderate		Coma	Convulsion
Other Depressants	Moderate	Moderate		Possible death	Possible death

Stimulants
Cocaine	Possible	High	Increased alertness	Agitation	Apathy
Amphetamine/	Possible	High	Euphoria	Increased body temperature Hallucinations Convulsions	Long periods of sleep
Methamohetamine			Increased pulse rate and blood pressure Excitation		Irritability Depression
Methylphenidate	Possible	High	Insomnia	Possible death	Disorientation

Other Stimulants	Possible	High	Loss appetite

Cannabis
Marijuana	Unknown	Moderate	Euphoria	Fatigue	Occasional reports of insomnia
			Relaxed inhibitions	Paranoia
			Increased appetite
			Disorientated behaviors
Tetrahydrocannabin	Unknown	Moderate	Increased appetite	Possible psychosis	Hyperactivity
Harshish and Hashish Oil	Unknown	Moderate	Disorientation		Decreased

Hallucinogens
LSD	None	Unknown	Illusions and hallucinations	Longer	Unknown
Amphetamine	Unknown	Unknown		Psychosis

Variants
Phencyclidine (PCP) and Analogs	Unknown	High	Liver and kidney dysfunction Testicular atrophy Premature closure of bone growth, hair loss, acne, heart failure
Testosterone	Unknown	Unknown	Virilization	Unknown
(Cypinoate, Enanthate)			Acne
Nandrolone	Unknown	Unknown	Testicular atrophy Gynecomastia
(Decanoate, Phenpropionate)			Aggressive behavior
Oxymrtholone	Unknown	Unknown	Edema
Inhalants	Unknown	High	Nausea	Loss of consciousness Damage to organs and nervous systems
			Nosebleeds
Caffeine	Unknown	High	Nausea
			Diarrhea Sleeplessness Headaches
			Trembling

Nicotine	High	High	Cancer of lungs
			larynx, mouth

Student Handbook - Housing & Life Safety

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Illicit Drugs Effects

Stimulants

Depressants

Stimulants

Cannabis

Variants