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DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
All students/employees at the New Life Theological Seminary are expected to abide by all Federal, State and local laws, including those regulating the use, possession, sale, distribution, manufacture and cultivation of illicit drugs and alcohol.
In addition, Congress has amended Title XII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by adding a section pertaining to Drug Free Schools and Campuses. Under this new amendment any institution receiving federal funds, including federal student loan programs, must adopt and implement policies to prevent the use of illegal drugs and alcohol by students and employees.
Financial Aid Penalties for drug offenses. Beginning on July 1, 2000, the 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act require the suspension of eligibility for financial aid for students convicted of drug related offenses. The length of suspension is for not less than one year, and varies depending on the nature of the offense. Full details are available from the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
In General, a student who has been convicted of any offense under and Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this title during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following table:
If convicted of an offense involving:
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The possession of a controlled substance:
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Ineligibility period is:
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First offense
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1 year
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Second offense
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2 years
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Third offense
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Indefinite
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The sale of a controlled substance:
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Ineligibility period is:
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First offense
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2 years
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Second offense
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Indefinite
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A student whose eligibility has been suspended under paragraph (1) may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period determined under such paragraph if the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that (i) complies with such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe in regulations for purposes of this paragraph; and (ii) includes two unannounced drug tests; or the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.
The New Life Theological Seminary is committed to promoting a climate, which supports academic and personal growth and success and the well-being of all members of the academic community. To safeguard and promote a healthy academic and living environment, the Seminary promulgates rules and regulations for the behavior of all members of the community. These are outlined in several major policy statements located in The Student Handbook, i.e., the Student Conduct Code, the Hazing Policy, the Alcohol and Other Drug Policies, etc.
It is the responsibility of each member of the community to understand and comply with all campus rules and regulations. These regulations include all Federal, State and local laws including the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act of 1989, the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Higher Education Act (as amended in 1998). As a member of the Seminary community, it is your responsibility to know and abide by all campus rules and regulations, to understand the risks associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and to assist in creating an environment that promotes health-enhancing attitudes and activities.
The following definitions apply to the Drug and Alcohol Policies:
Definitions
Area under jurisdiction of the Seminary-includes all (1) property occupied, leased or used by the Seminary; (2) property owned by New Life Theological Seminary; and (3) property occupied or used by any other institution with which New Life Theological Seminary establishes a Cooperative Agreement, a cross-registration agreement, or such academic partnership.
Controlled Substance-means a controlled substance in schedules I. through V. of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812);
Conviction-means a finding of guilty (including a plea of nolo contendre) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the Federal or State criminal drug statutes;
Employee-elected or appointed officers or employees, including all members of the Seminary faculty and staff whether serving full or part-time, temporary or permanent, compensated or uncompensated.
Manufacture-the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of a controlled substance.
Possession-the knowing or intentional possession of a controlled substance; having direct physical control over a controlled substance.
Student-any person enrolled in a class or course at the Seminary, whether full or part-time, graduate or undergraduate.
Seminary-the New Life Theological Seminary, all campuses and all leased space or space occupied with a user permit or license for the conduct of Seminary business.
Organization-all recognized student organizations, governments and groups of students; all faculty, staff and alumni organizations using areas under Seminary jurisdiction and all non-Seminary organizations requesting use of any Seminary facilities.
Authority-These regulations are promulgated by the Trustees of the Seminary pursuant to applicable provisions of Massachusetts Law, Chapter 15A, Section 10G.
Alcoholic Beverage-any liquid intended for human consumption as a beverage and containing 1% of alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Alcohol Policy
A. General Policy Regulations
1. The Seminary does not allow any person, group or organization to sell, dispense, produce or manufacture alcoholic beverages on Seminary property.
2. No person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
3. No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, dispensed or delivered to a person who is known to be a drunkard, to be an intoxicated person or to a person who is known to have been intoxicated within the six months last preceding.
4. No person or group shall purchase or otherwise procure alcoholic beverages for consumption by a person less than 21 years of age.
5. No person under 21 years of age shall transport, purchase, sell, possess or receive alcoholic beverages unless accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian except that person who is 18-20 may transport or carry alcoholic beverages in the course of his/her bona fide employment in an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
6. No person under 21 years of age shall use the liquor identification card of another, or furnish false identification in obtaining such a card, or alter or deface such a card.
7. No person shall appear in a state of intoxication in a public place or disturb the peace in any manner while intoxicated.
8. Students/employees who are found in violation of these stated prohibitions may be subject to arrest and conviction under the applicable criminal laws of the Commonwealth. Conviction can result in sanction including probation, fines and imprisonment.
9. Students who are found to be in violation of these stated prohibitions are subject to discipline in accordance with the requirement of the Seminary's Student Conduct Code and Judicial Process.
10. Employees found to be in violation of these stated prohibitions are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with any applicable bargaining agreements.
The above listed general policy regulations should not be considered as an exhaustive restatement of the pertinent Federal, State and local laws regarding the use of alcohol. All members of the New Life Theological Seminary community are expected to acquaint themselves with and abide by all laws governing the acquisition, possession, transportation, consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages.
B. 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 of 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 high 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 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 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 than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.
C. Sanctions for Violations of the Seminary Policy
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ALCOHOL POLICY VIOLATIONS
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MINIMUM SANCTIONS
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First simple use/possession
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Parental Notification for students under 21
Mandatory Counseling with the VP/Student Affairs and participation in a Substance Education program
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First use/possession for a serious incident involving Seminary intervention (EMT's, Police, etc)
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Parental Notification for students under 21
Sanctions ranging from disciplinary probation to suspension or expulsion for all students and participation in a Substance Education program
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Second use/possession
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Parental Notification for students under 21
Sanctions ranging from disciplinary probation to suspension or expulsion for all students and participation in a Substance Education program
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Subsequent use/possession
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Parental Notification for students under 21
Suspension or expulsion for all students
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Providing to Minors
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Parental Notification for students under 21
Suspension or expulsion for all students
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Sale/Distribution
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Parental Notification for students under 21
Suspension or expulsion for all students
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D. Referral/Resources for Alcohol Related Problems
Services and resources are available to all members of the Seminary community to provide accurate information relating to alcohol, to support individual needs and to assist at crisis points. Listings of resources on campus are available through the Student Affairs Office, the Academic Affairs Office, and the Office of the president. All essential offices can be reached through the main switchboard – (704) 334-6882.
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