2008 Woodie Awards
GUIDING THE WAY: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL POLICY
Learn your university's policy on drugs and alcohol
By Donyel L. Griffin
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Features
College students across America are often stereotyped by others as being rowdy, rambunctious and only concerned with "partying". Many of us cringe at this label as we strive to obtain good grades and show leadership at Kean. Unfortunately some college students engage in "stereotypical" behavior. Many factors account for students' behavior at college, such as a new sense of freedom, new experiences and no parental guidance. Along with the new sense of freedom often comes experimenting with drugs and alcohol. All students, regardless of age, are to adhere to Kean University's dry campus policies. Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden on Kean property. The Guide explains Kean's Drug and Alcohol Policy in pages 23-28.
It is not necessary to have drugs/alcohol to have fun. Those who feel as though consuming drugs or alcohol is the only way to have fun may have an abuse problem and need to seek counseling. Kean University views violations of drug and alcohol codes as compromising the dignity of the University. Those who violate the rules will be sanctioned accordingly. The Office of Student Conduct wants to get away from the term "sanction" for every instance and create "remedies" for some violations such as drug and alcohol related offenses where someone may need help.
However, sanctions for violating alcohol polices typically are as follows: the first offense is a $50 fine and attendance at an alcohol awareness program; the second offense is a $100 fine, mandatory attendance at an alcohol awareness program, and parental notification; while the last offense can result in a $200 dollar fine and loss of housing if you are a resident student. The penalties for drug offenses, however, are far more severe and may be handled by officials outside of Kean since the use of illicit drugs violates the law.
Students don't feel picked on, because the Alcohol Policy applies to all members of the Kean community such as faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and even your outside guests. The University is not just protecting itself, but also, you.
This information is not to scare you or try and limit your social interaction, but inform you the University does not take drug and alcohol use lightly. The rules are to better your safety and enable students to have a good experience without causing harm to themselves or others. When you have drugs and alcohol in any environment, you can not ensure safety. However, if you do have a substance abuse or alcohol problem, you should not fear being able to talk to someone at the Kean Counseling Center. Your information there is confidential and you can seek help for any problem. The Guide is simply there as a reference stating the engaging in illegal activities on campus is not acceptable.
As students, how much do you know about Academic Integrity? Do you know what it is? Do you have it? Well you will gain knowledge about the Academic Integrity Policy in next week's issue of The Cougar's Byte.
It is not necessary to have drugs/alcohol to have fun. Those who feel as though consuming drugs or alcohol is the only way to have fun may have an abuse problem and need to seek counseling. Kean University views violations of drug and alcohol codes as compromising the dignity of the University. Those who violate the rules will be sanctioned accordingly. The Office of Student Conduct wants to get away from the term "sanction" for every instance and create "remedies" for some violations such as drug and alcohol related offenses where someone may need help.
However, sanctions for violating alcohol polices typically are as follows: the first offense is a $50 fine and attendance at an alcohol awareness program; the second offense is a $100 fine, mandatory attendance at an alcohol awareness program, and parental notification; while the last offense can result in a $200 dollar fine and loss of housing if you are a resident student. The penalties for drug offenses, however, are far more severe and may be handled by officials outside of Kean since the use of illicit drugs violates the law.
Students don't feel picked on, because the Alcohol Policy applies to all members of the Kean community such as faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and even your outside guests. The University is not just protecting itself, but also, you.
This information is not to scare you or try and limit your social interaction, but inform you the University does not take drug and alcohol use lightly. The rules are to better your safety and enable students to have a good experience without causing harm to themselves or others. When you have drugs and alcohol in any environment, you can not ensure safety. However, if you do have a substance abuse or alcohol problem, you should not fear being able to talk to someone at the Kean Counseling Center. Your information there is confidential and you can seek help for any problem. The Guide is simply there as a reference stating the engaging in illegal activities on campus is not acceptable.
As students, how much do you know about Academic Integrity? Do you know what it is? Do you have it? Well you will gain knowledge about the Academic Integrity Policy in next week's issue of The Cougar's Byte.