What is Reach University's alcohol and drug policy?

Reach University is committed to protecting the safety, health, and well being of all faculty, staff, and students as well as other individuals in the University community.

Reach University Alcohol and Drug Policies

Reach University is committed to protecting the safety, health, and well being of all faculty, staff, and students as well as other individuals in the University community. The University recognizes that alcohol abuse and drug use poses a threat to our community. In accordance with the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990 (California), and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, the University has established the following program and distributes information related to this program on an annual basis to all faculty, staff, and students. If new students enroll or new employees are hired after the initial distribution for the year, these new individuals will also receive the materials.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Drug abuse affects all aspects of American life. It threatens the workplace, our homes, our schools and our community. The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions of higher education to implement a drug prevention and awareness program for their students and employees through the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. All students are expected to conduct themselves as mature adults and as members of an academic community. The consumption of alcohol or drugs while attending class is prohibited and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Standards of Conduct

The School community must adhere to a code of conduct that recognizes that the unlawful manufacture, sale, delivery, unauthorized possession or use of any illicit drug is prohibited on property owned or otherwise controlled by Reach University. If an individual associated with the School is apprehended for violating any drug- or alcohol-related law when on School property, or participating in a School activity, the School will fully cooperate with all law enforcement agencies. Underage possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on property owned or controlled by the School and the state laws will be enforced. Intentionally or knowingly selling, or intentionally or knowingly furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21, or to persons obviously inebriated, is not permitted on property owned or controlled by the School.

Health Risks Associated with the use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol

Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions and the loss of memory. High doses of alcohol can cause respiratory depression and death. Long-term consumption, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to dependence and permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver. Physical effects of drugs include increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat, and increased appetite. The use of drugs may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce the ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination. Motivation and cognition may also be altered making the acquisition of new information difficult. As one can see from the above, there are major health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol.

Institutional Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Violations

Any member of the School community found consuming or selling drugs on School property, in school online platforms, and in remote learning classes shall be subject to discipline on a case-by-case basis.

Discipline will be based on the seriousness of the situation.
A case may result in dismissal from the School.
In all cases, the School will abide by local, state and federal sanctions regarding unlawful possession of drugs and the consumption of alcohol.
Additional state penalties and sanctions may also apply.
The School has adopted a zero-tolerance policy regarding underage drinking.
Successful completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program by an individual confirmed to have been in violation of alcohol or drug policies and/or laws who has since sought admission or readmission to the school will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Federal, State, and Local Law - Legal Sanctions

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, and/or use of controlled substances or alcohol are regulated by a number of federal, state and local laws. These laws impose legal sanctions for both misdemeanor and felony convictions. Criminal penalties for convictions can range from fines and probation to denial or revocation of federal benefits (such as student loans) to imprisonment and forfeiture of personal and real property. Following is a list of some of the laws pertaining to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol. The information provided below is illustrative, not exhaustive.

Generally, it is a criminal offense:

To illegally manufacture, sell, distribute, or possess controlled substances (those listed in Schedules I through V of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812)) (21 U.S.C. 828, 841, 844, 859, 860)
To unlawfully possess or possess for sale controlled substances (those listed in Cal. Health & Safety Code 11054, 11055, 11056, 11057, 11058)
To possess, cultivate, sell or possess for sale marijuana (Cal. Health & Safety Codes 11357, 11358, 11359)
To use or be under the influence of a controlled substance (Cal. Health & Safety Code 11550)
To transport, sell, or distribute marijuana to a minor or to use a minor to transport, sell, or distribute marijuana (Cal. Health & Safety Code 11361)
To possess, furnish or manufacture drug paraphernalia (Cal. Health & Safety Code 11362, et seq.)
To provide any alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 or to any obviously intoxicated person (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 25658; 25602)
To be under the influence of alcohol in a public place and unable to exercise care for one’s own safety or that of others (Cal. Penal Code 647(f))
For persons under 21 to have any container of alcohol in any public place or any place open to the public (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 25662)
To operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants or with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher (Cal. Veh. Code 23152)
For any person under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .05% or higher (Cal. Veh. Code 23140)
To have an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and for persons under 21 to drive a vehicle carrying alcohol or to possess alcohol while in a motor vehicle (Cal. Veh. Code 23223; 23224)
To have in one’s possession or to use false evidence of age and identity to purchase alcohol (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 25661)
For any person under age 21 to purchase alcohol (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 25658.5).

Convictions during Enrollment

Federal regulations require enrolled students convicted of a drug offense after receiving federal financial aid to notify Reach University immediately. The student may become ineligible for further federal financial aid and repay federal financial aid received after the conviction on a case-by-case basis.

Federal Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Violations

Federal guidelines focus strongly on illicit drug use and distribution. The Higher Education Opportunity Act states students convicted of an illicit drug violation can be denied federal financial aid for a specific period, in addition to other legal penalties. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks students if they have been convicted of a drug-related offense: “Have you ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs?”

Students who use fafsa.gov and answer “Yes” to Question 23 will immediately receive a series of questions to determine their eligibility. Students who fill out a paper FAFSA and answer “Yes” to this question will receive a worksheet with their SAR to determine whether the conviction affects their eligibility for federal student aid.

Failure to answer the question automatically disqualifies students from receiving federal financial aid. Answering this question falsely could result in fines up to $20,000, imprisonment or both.

How to Regain Federal Student Aid Eligibility

A student can regain eligibility for federal student aid funds the day after the period of ineligibility ends or upon having a conviction reversed, set aside, or removed from the student’s record so that fewer than two convictions for sale of illegal drugs or three convictions for possession remain on the record. In such cases, the nature and dates of the remaining convictions will determine when the student regains eligibility.
A student may also regain eligibility upon successful completion of a qualified drug rehabilitation program that must:
- Include the student passing at least two unannounced drug tests
  
  AND
- Have received or is qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly under a federal, state or local government program, or
- Be administered by a federal, state, or local government agency or court, or
- Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company, or
- Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.
A student may further regain eligibility upon successful completion of two unannounced drug tests which are part of an approved rehab program (the student does not need to complete the rest of the program).

The student is responsible to certify that a rehabilitation program was successfully completed. As with the conviction question on the FAFSA, the School is not required to confirm the reported information unless conflicting information is determined.

Drug and Alcohol Counseling

Available to all students is the 211 Helpline Center. Students can call 211 to receive referrals to local resources and support for individuals who need drug and alcohol counseling. [List local, regional and national drug or alcohol abuse educational programs. ]

Biennial Review of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Schools are required to conduct a biennial review of their drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. This review must include a determination of the number of drug and alcohol-related violations and fatalities that occur on the institution's campus or as part of the institution's activities and the number and type of sanctions imposed by the institution as a result of drug and alcohol-related violations and fatalities that occur on the institution's campus or as part of the institution's activities. The term “campus” encompasses any building or property owned or controlled by the school within a reasonably contiguous geographic area used in direct support of the school's educational purposes or used by students and supporting institutional purposes.

The effectiveness of Reach University’s prevention program is, in part, also measured by tracking the number of drug and alcohol-related disciplinary actions and treatment referrals. Additionally, to assist in the determination of the effectiveness of Reach University’s prevention program, the school considers, if and when the school is made aware, the number of students or employees attending self-help or other counseling groups related to alcohol or drug abuse.

With the results gathered from the various points of information described above, the school writes its report giving the results of the biennial review and its determination of whether the program is being effective or must be modified. The school keeps the biennial review on file in case of a possible audit. Schools are not required to send their review to the U.S. Department of Education unless requested to do so. Reach University conducts its biennial review every other year (even). The report from the review and documents related to it are retained for three years after the fiscal year in which the report was created and are available upon request.