CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
STATEMENT ON DRUG, TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL EDUCATION
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
The City University of New York is a caring community committed to
promoting the physical, intellectual, social, and ethical development
of all individuals. The inappropriate use of alcohol, tobacco and
illicit drugs threaten the health and safety of students, employees,
their families, and the general public and adversely impairs
performance. In addition to promoting health, safety and a positive
learning and working environment, the City University is committed to
preventing alcohol and other drug-related problems among all members of
the University community.
The unlawful manufacture, possession, distribution, dispensation,
possession or use of alcohol or other drugs by anyone, either on
University property or at University-sponsored activities, is
prohibited. Any person who is determined to have violated this policy
will be subject to the appropriate penalties. As a condition of
employment, any employee of the City University must notify his or her
supervisor if he or she is convicted of a drug-related offense
involving the work place within five (5) days of conviction. Pursuant
to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, 34 CFR § 85.635, the University
is then required to notify the appropriate granting or contracting
federal agency within ten (10) days of receiving notice of any such
conviction.
These standards of conduct and policies are consistent with the City
University's desire to promote health and safety and are in accordance
with the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the
Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. The
University will continue its efforts to maintain an environment free
from the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of alcohol and
other drugs.
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSE OF ALCOHOL AND USE OF TOBACCO
Alcohol
Alcohol (ethanol) is toxic to the human body. It is a central
nervous system depressant that slows bodily functions such as heart
rate, pulse and respiration. Taken in large quantities, it
progressively causes intoxication, sedation, unconsciousness, and even
death if consumed in large amounts. Alcoholics can often consume large
quantities of alcohol without appearing to be drunk or uncontrolled.
Nevertheless, alcoholism causes severe emotional, physical and
psychological damage. Prolonged heavy drinking can damage various
organs, resulting in disorders such as cirrhosis of the liver, heart
disease, pancreatis and cancer. It can also lead to gastrointestinal
irritation (nausea, diarrhea, gastritis, ulcers), malnutrition, sexual
dysfunction, high blood pressure, lowered resistance to disease, and
possible irreversible brain and nervous system damage. Alcoholism can
also lead to a wide variety of problems involving one's emotional,
family, work and social life.
Tobacco
The Department of Health and Human Services, the American
Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization have
determined that nicotine, the chief component of tobacco, is a highly
addictive drug. Forty years ago the first report of the Surgeon General
of the United States was issued on the impact of tobacco use on health.
This 1964 report presented stark conclusions: that cigarette smoking
causes lung cancer and is the most significant cause of chronic
bronchitis. The report linked tobacco smoking with emphysema and other
forms of cancer. The health hazards of tobacco use are now well
documented and directly linked to the death of an estimated 390,000
Americans a year.
Recent studies have shown that exposure to environmental tobacco
smoke is associated with the occurrence of many diseases, such as lung
cancer and heart disease in nonsmokers and low birthrate in the
offspring of nonsmokers. Because environmental tobacco smoke represents
one of the strongest sources of indoor air contaminants in buildings
where smoking is permitted, The City University has adopted a policy
that prohibits smoking inside all University facilities (buildings).
College presidents are free to impose a total ban on smoking on their
grounds, or provide for limited smoking areas outside of buildings, a
set distance from a building's entrance.
FEDERAL AND STATE SANCTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Both Federal and New York State law make it a criminal offense to
manufacture, distribute, dispense or possess with intent to
manufacture, distribute, dispense or simply possess a controlled
substance, including marijuana. 21 U.S.C. § 801 et. seq.; New York
State Penal Law §§ 220-221; New York State Public Health Law § 3306.
The sanctions for violation of these laws depend upon the particular
offense and depend on aggravating factors such as the type and quantity
of drugs involved. Sanctions range from monetary fines and community
service to imprisonment.
Below are some additional and important New York State laws regarding the unlawful use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs:
- Appearing in public under the influence of narcotics or a drug
other than alcohol to the degree that he may endanger himself or other
persons or property, or annoy persons in his vicinity is a violation,
punishable by a fine and imprisonment up to 15 days. New York State
Penal Law § 240.40
- Giving or selling an alcoholic beverage to a person less than
twenty-one years is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a sentence of
imprisonment up to one year. New York State Penal Law §260.20(2)
- Any person who operates a motor vehicle while intoxicated or while
his ability to operate such vehicle is impaired by the consumption of
alcohol or drugs, is subject to suspension or revocation of driving
privileges in the State, monetary fines up to $1,000, and imprisonment
up to one year. New York State Vehicle Traffic Law § 1192
- Selling tobacco products to any person under the age of eighteen is
a class B misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment up to three
months. New York State Penal Law, §260.21(3)
UNIVERSITY SANCTIONS
Students
Students are expected to comply with the standards of conduct
published and distributed by the college. Any student found in
violation of University policy may be subject to disciplinary action.
Sanctions may include admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary
probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, ejection and arrest by
civil authorities. The Chief Student Affairs Officer may take
disciplinary action or recommend that a student meet with a counselor
for appropriate referral or assistance through self-help organizations
or other outside intervention agencies. A member of the instructional
staff may refer any student who is experiencing difficulty with alcohol
or illicit drugs to any Student Affairs Officer or to an appropriate
Counseling and Advisement Center. Students should be encouraged to seek
assistance directly from the available resources when necessary.
Employees
Employees found in violation of the standards of conduct may be
subject to penalties under the Henderson Rules and discipline under the
provisions of their union contract. Sanctions that may be imposed in
addition to those found in the various contracts include verified
attendance and successful participation in an employee assistance
program.
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