Oakton College is committed to the development and maintenance of an educational and workplace environment in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 and the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and will not tolerate the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities.
The College prohibits employees to use, possess, dispense, distribute or manufacture any controlled substances or drugs in the workplace. This is prohibited on campus, including any worksite designated for the performance of work, or at College-sponsored activities. Employees are, as a condition of employment, required to abide by this policy.
All employees will receive a copy of this policy and will abide by this drug-free workplace policy as a condition of employment Failure of an employee to receive a copy of this policy will not constitute defense to violations of the College's policy.
Any employee who is convicted of unlawfully possessing, using, dispensing, distributing, or manufacturing any controlled substances or drugs within the workplace, as a condition of employment, must notify the Director of Human Resources in writing within five (5) calendar days of the conviction.
If the employee is directly engaged in performance of work pursuant to the provisions of a federal grant or federal contract, the College shall give notice of the conviction to the federal agency with whom it has contracted or from whom it received the grant within ten (10) calendar days of receiving notification of conviction.
Within thirty days after receiving notice of a conviction, the College shall take appropriate disciplinary or referral action. Discipline for violating the Drug-Free Workplace Policy or Rules shall be governed by the College disciplinary and termination policies. Nothing contained herein limits the right of the College under federal, state or local law, to discipline the employee, up to and including termination, for violation of any College policy or rule.
In place of any disciplinary sanctions for violation of the Drug-Free Workplace Policy or Rules, the College in its discretion may require the employee to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program designated by the College and approved for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.
The College shall maintain a drug awareness program to inform all employees about: a) the risks of drug abuse in the workplace; b) the College's intent to maintain a drug-free workplace; c) any available drug counseling rehabilitation and employee assistance program; and d) the penalties that may be imposed for violation of this policy.
The College shall make a good faith effort to continue and maintain a drug-free workplace and to implement the provisions of this policy.
As an educational institution, the College has an obligation to encourage those responsible behaviors which enable individuals to participate in learning opportunities. In recognition of the magnitude and seriousness of substance abuse in society, and of the harmful effects on individuals, families, and the community, this policy has as its purposes to influence attitudes through education, and to prohibit substance abuse. To condone abuse of alcohol and the use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances, and the consumption of alcohol on campus (except where specifically permitted by law) are prohibited because of concern for the health and welfare of members of the College community, and about behavior which may violate the rights of others. While it is not the intent of this policy to regulate the conduct of persons not under the College's control, it is the intent of this policy to regulate the conduct of all persons on campus or attending College-sponsored functions.
It is the College's policy to prohibit the unlawful use, possession or distribution of legally controlled substances, or the consumption of alcohol (except as provided by law), by persons on campus or at College-sponsored activities. It is also College policy to provide information to the College community about the detrimental effects of the use of drugs and the consumption of alcohol.
Unlawful use, possession, or distribution of any controlled substance is prohibited on campus or at any College-sponsored activity.
The consumption of any alcohol is prohibited on campus. Any exception to this policy must be authorized in advance in writing by the President When authorized, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to active participants in an educational or cultural conference held on campus. Furthermore, the College representative in charge of any such activity on campus, or any College-sponsored activity held off campus, may deny the right of any or all persons to consume alcohol at such an activity when, in the discretion of such representative, the consumption of alcohol has become unreasonable. Violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary sanction.
This policy does not regulate the use of medication taken under the direction of a physician.
The College hereby enacts this policy to conform with the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (20 U. S. C. §5145, Public Law 101-226). In conformance with the Act, the President will develop and implement a program and rules to prevent the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.
View the Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policies booklet here. (PDF) (153 KB)