Page 147 - Mesa Community College 2020-2021 Student Handbook

The Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-226) requires federal contractors and grantees to certify that they will provide a drug-free school.As a recipient of federal grants, the District must adopt a program toward accomplishing this goal. While federal legislation has been the impetus for creation of the program, the administration and Governing Board recognize that substance abuse is a problem of national proportions that also affect students at the Maricopa County Community Colleges.
The Maricopa County Community Colleges are committed to maintaining learning environments that enhance the full benefits of a student’s educational experience. The Maricopa County Community College District will make every effort to provide students with optimal conditions for learning that are free of the problems associated with the unauthorized use and abuse of alcohol and drugs.
B. Standards of Conduct
In the student handbooks of the Maricopa County Community Colleges under codes of conduct, the following are examples of behavior that is prohibited by law and/or college rules and policies:
i. Drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages on the college campus.
ii. Misuse of narcotics or drugs.
C. Sanctions for Violation of Standards of Conduct Disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to:
i. Warning
ii. Loss of privileges, iii. Suspension, or
iv. Expulsion.
D. Legal Sanctions
i. Local, state, and federal law prohibit the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs
and alcohol. Conviction for violating these laws can lead to imprisonment, fines, probation, and/or assigned community service. Persons convicted of a drug-and/or alcohol related offense will be ineligible to receive federally funded or subsidized grants, loans, scholarships, or employment.
Any employee is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including employment termination, for any of the following: reporting to work under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs or narcotics; the use, sale, dispensing, or possession of alcohol and/or illegal drugs or narcotics on MCCCD premises, while conducting MCCCD business, or at any time which would interfere with the effective conduct of the employee’s work for the MCCCD; and use of illegal drugs.
The Maricopa County Community College District is committed to establishing a preventative substance abuse program at each college designed to affect positively the problems of irresponsible use of alcohol and the use and abuse of illegal substances. A main focus of the program will be on education of the campus community and assistance to individuals.
A. Identify a key individual, at each college, to provide emergency services and/or to contact and work with outside agencies that provide drug and alcohol counseling, treatment or rehabilitation programs that may be available to students and employees.
B. Support disciplinary action for misconduct and the enforcement of state laws governing the use of alcohol and the use, abuse, possession or distribution of controlled substances or illegal drugs.
C. Establish a preventative substance abuse program at each college designed to affect positively the
3. MCCCD Program Standards
problems of irresponsible use of alcohol and the use and abuse of illegal substances
4. Use of Alcoholic Beverages
See Section 4.13 of the Administrative Regulations
5. Other Health Concerns
General Guidelines Concerning AIDS
Neither a diagnosis of AIDS nor a positive HIV antibody test will be part of the initial admission decision for those applying to attend any of the Maricopa County Community Colleges.The Maricopa County Community Colleges will not require screening of students for antibody to HIV.
Students with AIDS or a positive HIV antibody test will not be restricted from access to student unions, theaters, cafeterias, snack bars, gymnasiums, swimming pools, recreational facilities, restrooms, or other common areas, as there is not current medical justification for doing so.
Where academically and logistically feasible, students who have medical conditions, including AIDS, may seek accommodation in order to remain enrolled. Medical documentation will be needed to support requests for accommodation through the Office of Disability Resources and Services or the Office of Vice President of Student Affairs.
The Maricopa County Community Colleges acknowledge the importance of privacy considerations with regard to persons with AIDS.The number of people who are aware of the existence and/or identity of students who have AIDS or a positive HIV antibody test should be kept to a minimum.When a student confides in an faculty member, knowledge of the condition should be transmitted to the appropriate vice president or designee who will make the determination if the information should be further disseminated. It should be remembered that mere exposure to the person in a classroom does not constitute a need to know the diagnosis. It is, therefore, unnecessary to document in a student’s file the fact that he or she has AIDS unless the information is to be used for accommodation reasons. Sharing confidential information without consent may create legal liability.
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