Drug Abuse and Alcohol Prevention Program (DAAPP)

The University’s Alcohol and Drug Policy is distributed to faculty, staff and students on a semi-annual basis (January/September after the conclusion of the Add/drop period). The notification will include the following:

• Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees;
• A description of the legal sanctions under local, state or federal law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol;
• A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol misuse;
• A list of alcohol and drug programs (counseling, treatment, rehabilitation) that are available to employees and students;
• A clear statement that the University of Richmond will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees for violations of the standards of conduct and a description of those sanctions, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral to prosecution.

All members of the University community are responsible for knowing and acting in accordance with the applicable laws and University policy concerning the purchase, possession, consumption, sale and storage of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and nicotine products and illicit drugs.

Prohibited conduct specifically related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

Alcohol & Tobacco/Nicotine Products

• The use of alcoholic beverages & tobacco/nicotine products shall comply with federal, state, and local laws and University policy.
• Alcoholic beverages & tobacco/nicotine products shall not be consumed by, possessed by, sold to, or given to persons under 21 years of age, which is the legal age to consume and possess alcohol and tobacco in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Any publication, advertisement or announcement of any University-sponsored event distributed or intended to be distributed to persons under 21 years of age must not mention or depict alcohol, tobacco products (chewed, absorbed, dissolved or ingested), nicotine vapor products, and/or alternative nicotine products.
• The University prohibits smoking, including e-cigarettes, inside classrooms and administrative buildings, residential facilities, dining areas, athletic facilities and university owned vehicles. Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of the outside of any building to prevent smoke and e-cigarette vapors from entering through entrances, windows, ventilation systems, or other means.
• Students who wish to host an event with alcohol in their residence hall or apartment should do so in accordance with the event registration process established by Residence Life & Undergraduate Student Housing.
  

Illicit Drugs

• No individual shall possess, use, transfer, distribute, manufacture or attempt to manufacture, or traffic illegal drugs on University-owned or leased property, at University-sponsored or supervised functions, or under other circumstances involving a direct and substantial connection to the University. If there is sufficient evidence that a student is distributing, transferring or trafficking illegal drugs (or is in possession of such amounts), interim actions may be taken to protect the health and safety of the University community.
• Synthetic or counterfeit substances that are analogue for controlled substances are prohibited under this policy.
• The misuse, transfer or sale of legal substances such as prescription drugs and inhalants is prohibited.
• Any individual will be considered in possession of drugs if the drugs can be reasonably associated with them possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
• Students and employees that violate state or federal drug laws may be referred by University authorities for criminal prosecution and, if convicted, may be subject to criminal prosecution. Whether or not criminal charges are brought, students and employees are subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions can range from substance education to permanent separation.

Students

The Standards of Student Conduct applies to conduct that occurs on the campus of the University, on or in off-campus buildings or property of the University, and at University sponsored activities, including off-campus education programs and activities, or on public property.

Each student shall be responsible for their conduct from their first day on campus through the actual awarding of their degree (even though the conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end) as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment. Students who have accepted admittance to the University but have not yet enrolled are expected to conduct themselves according to the Standards. The Standards of Student Conduct shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from the University while a disciplinary matter is pending.

The student conduct process is not a legal process and is separate from federal, state and local laws or ordinances. The student conduct process is expected to:

• Determine the consequences for behaviors that violate universities polices.
• Offer outcomes to assist students in learning about the impact of their actions on themselves and others within their respective community.

Any student found in violation of this policy is subject to the entire range of sanctions outlined in the Standards of Student Conduct.

Employees

Administrative policies regarding a drug-free workplace

The University is a drug-free workplace. The University does not tolerate the unlawful manufacture, dispensing, possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco by students and employees on the University’s property, or as part of its activities, is prohibited. Employees who violate the law are subject to the full range of criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. University disciplinary sanctions, up to and including termination of employment.

The University of Richmond does not conduct random drug or alcohol testing, but does reserve the right to test for drugs and/or alcohol for cause. Should the University have a reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol or if the employee is in an accident causing damage to University property, the employee may be required to submit to drug/alcohol testing and/or mandatory referral into a substance misuse assistance or rehabilitation program. Refusal by an employee to comply with the applicable requirements may be grounds for immediate dismissal from employment.

Should the University have a reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol or if the employee is involved in an accident causing damage to University property, the employee may be required to submit to drug/alcohol testing and/or mandatory referral into a substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. Refusal by the employee to comply with applicable requirements will be grounds for immediate dismissal from University employment.

All new employees are required to sign a statement of commitment to a drug-free workplace. This statement explains the University’s attitude and policy towards the use of drugs and alcohol on its premises. In addition, the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol are described in information provided to support staff at the New Employee Orientation program and in annual mailings.

Grants

Individuals (faculty or staff) employed by the University under the terms of a grant are required to abide by this policy and will be subject to the same disciplinary and testing procedures as other employees.

Employees with grant status must notify Human Resources, in writing, of their convictions of a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction. Within ten (10) calendar days of receiving such notification, Human Resources will notify the granting agency, in writing, of the conviction, as well as the director of grants and contract services with the U.S. Department of Education.

Following the required notification to Human Resources, an employee with grant status will, within the next thirty (30) calendar days, receive appropriate personnel action up to and including employment termination and/or referral to and participation in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. Should a referral to a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program be made, the employee must perform satisfactorily in that program in order for employment with the University to continue.

Notification of Convictions

Employees must, as a condition of employment, abide by the terms of this policy and report any convictions under a criminal drug statute for violations occurring on or off the University premises while conducting University business. A report of a conviction must be made within five (5) days after the conviction to the associate vice president. Campus police must follow departmental guidelines.

The University of Richmond will provide information to students through new student orientation, WELL 085 Alcohol Education Graduation Requirement, lecture style presentations, the URWELL website and email blasts.

University employees will receive information in new employee orientation, on the website (URHR and URWELL for Employees) and through email blasts.

Biennial Review

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) articulated through the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) Part 86, a review of the University of Richmond’s alcohol, tobacco and other drug program is assessed every two years.

Since the DFSCA’s 1994 amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, institutions of higher education have been responsible for communicating standards and prevention efforts regarding the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and other illicit drugs on their campuses. The Biennial Review contains means of measuring outcomes and consistency with enforcement of sanctions.

The Biennial Review includes:

• Description of alcohol and other drug (AOD) elements and policies
• AOD prevention education and awareness programs
• Procedures for distribution of annual AOD notification to students and employees
• Environmental management strategies
• Accomplishments
• Summary of strengths and weaknesses
• University policies
• Student Code of Conduct data
• Annual security statistics
• Areas for growth and development

The Advisory Committee on Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs (formerly the Substance Abuse Education & Prevention Committee) restructured in the 2018-19 academic year to be an advisory board of campus stakeholders involved in education, prevention, support and enforcement of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

The purpose of the Advisory Committee on Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs is to guide activities related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs on campus. The committee will:

• Review and recommend policy, structural and program changes that focus on alcohol, tobacco and drug education and prevention on campus;
• Share information about alcohol, tobacco and drug programming, concerns, statistics and outcomes on campus;
• Promote conversations and collaborations across campus related to alcohol, tobacco and drug issues; and
• Evaluate the WELL 085 Alcohol Education and Prevention Workshop on an annual basis to ensure the course adequately reflects the challenges and issues facing University of Richmond students.

Committee Membership

Tracy Cassalia, Chair, Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students & Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator

Eric Beatty, Police Captain, University of Richmond Police Department

Patrick Benner, Director, Residence Life & Student Housing

Dan Fabian, Associate Dean, Richmond College

Andy Gurka, Director of Student Involvement

Kristine Henderson, Director of Compliance & Title IX Coordinator

Rachel Koch, Assistant Director, CAPS - Training - Counseling & Psychological Services

Ali Mayer, Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life

Dave McCoy, AVP Public Safety, Chief of Police

Wendy Sheppard, Assistant Director, Sports & Risk Management

Zara Sibtain, Associate Dean, Westhampton College

Marieka Turner, Health Educator, Health Promotion Department

Lauren Wicklund, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Leadership & Student-Athlete Development 

The Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator will serve as the main contact that will have oversight responsibility of the DAAPP including but not limited to: updates; coordination of information required by the DAAPP, coordination of the annual notification to the University community, and the biennial review. The Advisory Committee for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs will assist with these responsibilities.