Student Handbook 2012-13

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy

For complying with the legal certification requirements of the U.S. Department of Education for Drug-free Schools, each student, faculty member, and staff member is required to be provided annually the information contained in this Handbook regarding drug and alcohol abuse.

Behavioral Expectations

The behavioral expectations of LeTourneau University for every member of its community include the prohibition of possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol as well as the use of legal mood-altering substances such as herbs enhanced (naturally or artificially) with substances which produce a “high” or altered state of mental awareness. Specifically the Student Handbook, the Faculty-Staff Handbook, and corresponding LeTourneau Education for Adult Professionals (GAPS) Handbooks prohibit the use, sale, or possession of alcoholic beverages, intoxicating incense, abusable inhalants, or narcotic drugs. The use or possession of illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, other intoxicants, and tobacco products is a matter that the University takes seriously. Each has been widely recognized as a source of serious health and social problems.

Texas Legal Sanctions

 Alcohol

The law that prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol beverages by persons under the age of 21 is endorsed, supported and enforced by the University.

• Minors convicted for possession/consumption of alcoholic beverages are subject to State imposed fines up to $500, as well as possible disciplinary action by the University.
• Convictions for providing alcoholic beverages to minors will subject individuals to being fined by the State up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail, as well as disciplinary action by the University.
• Convictions for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages (DUI) will subject individuals to fines ranging up to $2,000 and/or a jail term ranging from a minimum of six days to 180 days in the county jail. University disciplinary action may accompany punitive actions of the State.

Drugs

The University requires that all students and employees abide by all local, state, and federal laws regarding controlled substances to include, but not be limited to, their use, possession, manufacture or sale. Fines, terms of probation or term of imprisonment are generally contingent upon the circumstances and type of drugs involved. Sanctions upon conviction for possession, distribution, or manufacture of controlled substances range from fines to probation or imprisonment. Amounts of fines, terms of probation, or imprisonment are generally contingent upon the circumstances and amounts and types involved.

University Sanctions

When the University regulations regarding alcohol and drugs are violated, LeTourneau University will impose, at a minimum, the following sanctions:

Students

Alcohol

• Appropriate sanctions will be assessed in which students may be subject to Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension and/or Dismissal. Violations may also require the notification of the student’s parents.
• Additional sanctions may be imposed as appropriate, depending on circumstances.

Drugs

• The student will be automatically referred to the Dean of Students.
• Appropriate sanctions will be assessed in which students may be subject to Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension and/or Dismissal. Violations also require the notification of the student’s parents and appropriate law enforcement authorities.
• University sanctions are imposed in addition to any actions taken in criminal prosecution by local state or federal authorities.

Employees

Alcohol/Drugs

• The employee will be automatically referred to the appropriate Cabinet Level Administrator.
• Appropriate sanctions will be assessed in which employees are subject to “progressive discipline” or “discharge for cause” as outlined in the Faculty-Staff Handbook.
• Additional sanctions may be imposed as appropriate, depending on circumstances. University-imposed sanctions are besides any legal actions taken by local, state, or federal authorities.

Health Risks of Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Alcohol

• Alcohol acts as a depressant, affects the mood, dulls the senses, and impairs coordination, reflexes, memory, and judgment.
• More serious effects of alcohol may be damage to the liver, kidney, pancreas, and brain.
• Alcohol is the leading cause of death among individuals 15-24 years of age.
• On the average, heavy alcohol drinkers shorten their life spans by approximately ten years.

Drugs

Unlegislated Intoxicants

• New products, not yet addressed by legislation or medical studies, introduced to the marketplace which produce any type of alteration of the mental or motor processes may cause any number of negative health issues.
• Increasing tolerance to the high can lead to a desire for a greater reaction, and emulation of the use of illegal substances creates a social appearance of acceptance of the indiscriminate use of intoxicants.
• Unknown health risks and inconsistency of dosage of the intoxicating ingredients of such products make their use an unacceptable practice.

Marijuana

• Prolonged use and increased tolerance to marijuana can lead to severe psychological dependence.
• Marijuana use may produce an immediate increase in heart and pulse rate, and can cause an acute panic anxiety reaction.
• Use of marijuana may cause impairment of memory, altered sense of time, and inability to concentrate.

Cocaine and Crack

• Cocaine or crack use may produce an increase in heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature.
• An indication of cocaine or crack use may be chronic runny nose and membrane infections.
• Cocaine or crack overdose may result in seizures, heart stops, coma, or death.

Amphetamines and Barbiturates 

• Amphetamine and barbiturate users become highly susceptible to physical dependence.
• Amphetamine and barbiturate use may cause infections of the skin, liver, heart, and lungs.

Services Available to the Campus Community

Treatment Support

LeTourneau University employs a professional counselor in order to make counseling services available to the campus community. The University has a working agreement with off-campus counseling facilities to assist in the treatment process. Counseling done in the above centers is on a confidential basis. For more information accessing or contacting the counseling services http://www.letu.edu/opencms/opencms/_Student-Life/support-services/health-services/counseling/Contact_Information.html.  

The University has three primary components of the alcohol and drug abuse program:

• Assessment: The student or employee will be assessed to determine extent of the problem with alcohol or other drugs, which may range from careless misuse to abuse to addiction.
• Intervention: By working with friends, family, faculty, and staff, the University can reach out to people in trouble and provide them access to appropriate help.
• Short-term Counseling: As appropriate, counseling is provided to students or employees who can benefit from a maximum of five therapy sessions.