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Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

Ogeechee Technical College supports the goals and policies of a drug and alcohol free educational environment and workplace. The College is committed to providing students, faculty, staff, and visitors a safe and healthful campus and workplace. The College recognizes the health risks associated with controlled substance use and alcohol misuse and is committed to supporting students and employees who seek treatment for these conditions. The College also recognizes that controlled substance use and alcohol misuse diminish workplace and campus safety and undermine Ogeechee Technical College’s ability to fulfill its mission of contributing to economic, educational, and community development by providing quality technical education and services, adult literacy education, continuing education, and customized business and industry workforce training to the citizens of the communities it serves.

This policy has been developed in concert with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act which was enacted to ensure that any institution of higher education that receives funds under any federal program has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students. It also incorporates the statutory mandates required under the state Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990 (O.C.G.A. § 20-1-20 et seq.)

No student may engage in the unlawful manufacture, possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on the Technical College’s property or as part of any of its sponsored activities.

Such unlawful activity may be considered sufficient grounds for serious punitive action, including expulsion. Disciplinary sanctions for students convicted of a felony offense involving alcohol or the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of marijuana, controlled substances, or other illegal or dangerous drugs shall be immediate suspension and denial of further state and/or federal funds from the date of conviction. Specifically, in the case of a drug-related offense, the student shall minimally be suspended for the remainder of the semester and forfeit all academic credit for that period.

The Technical College shall notify the appropriate state/federal funding agency within 10 days after receiving notice of the conviction from the student or otherwise after receiving the actual notice of conviction.

Within 30 days of notification of conviction, the Technical College shall with respect to any student so convicted:

  1. Take additional appropriate action against such student up to and including expulsion as it deems necessary.
  2. Provide such student with a description of any drug or alcohol counseling treatment, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available for such purposes by a federal, state, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.

The Technical College is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of a drug-free awareness program to inform students of the following:

  1. The dangers of drug and alcohol abuse on the campus and elsewhere.
  2. Any available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and assistance programs.
  3. Any penalties to be imposed upon students for drug and alcohol abuse violations occurring on the campus.

Each Technical College shall conduct a biennial review of its program to determine its effectiveness and implement changes to the program if they are needed and to ensure that the sanctions required by the program are consistently enforced.

Each Technical College shall maintain and make available to the U. S. Secretary of Education and to the public a copy of each item in the program as required by this policy and applicable law as well as results of the biennial review.

Drug or Alcohol Resources for Students

Ogeechee Technical College recognizes drug or alcohol dependency or abuse as a major health problem as well as a safety and security problem. A student in need of help in dealing with such a problem is encouraged to contact his or her personal physician and to use the Student Affairs referral system. A conscientious effort to seek help shall not, in itself, jeopardize any student’s enrollment.

Complaints

Any student or employee with a complaint relating to the application of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act may seek redress through any applicable Ogeechee Technical College complaint resolution policy and procedure or collective bargaining agreement.

Confidentiality

Ogeechee Technical College will ensure privacy and confidentiality under this policy, as may be required by state or federal law including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

Administrative Responsibility

The Human Resources department will be responsible for administering this policy as it relates to employees and invitees. The Vice President for Student Affairs will administer this policy as it relates to students.