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Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Education Regulations implementing the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Daemen College establishes the following policy and regulations:
Policy Statement
Daemen College endeavors to establish for its students, faculty and staff an environment in which the misuse of alcohol and drugs is minimized, which encourages moderation, safety and personal accountability, and which provides an atmosphere free of coercion and peer pressure to abuse alcohol or use illegal drugs. The College strongly believes and encourages the use of treatment and educational programs as the most effective means to reduce and prevent substance abuse of any kind. All members of the Daemen community should exercise sound judgment and be mindful of their personal health, safety and well being, as well as that of their friends and guests, by observing all laws regulating drug and alcohol and the College rules expressed in this Policy and elsewhere in this Handbook.
Standards of Conduct
The unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol and illegal drugs by students and employees on college property or while engaged in College activities off the College campus is prohibited. While the College permits the lawful use of alcohol by students and guests on campus in accordance with the College alcohol policy (see following section), any abuse of this privilege will be subject to College disciplinary action and/or appropriate criminal sanctions.
Legal Sanctions Regarding Alcohol: Under New York State law it is illegal:
- To provide alcohol to persons under the age of 21 or to persons who are visibly intoxicated. Providing alcohol to persons under the age of 21 is a Class A misdemeanor which is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or 3 years probation;
- To misrepresent the age of a person under the age of 21 for the purpose of inducing a sale of alcohol. Those found guilty of violating this law shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200, or by imprisonment for not more than five days, or by both fine and imprisonment;
- For a person under the age of 21 to possess alcohol with the intent to consume it. Those found guilty of violating this law shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50 and/or required to complete an alcohol awareness program and/or required to provide up to 30 hours of community service;
- For any person under the age of 21 to present or offer any written evidence of age which is false, fraudulent or not actually his own, for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol. Those found guilty of violating this law shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100, and/or required to complete an alcohol awareness program and/or required to provide up to 30 hours of community service. Additionally, if it is found that a New York State driver’s license was the written evidence of age used for the purpose of the purchase or attempted purchase, the person’s license to drive a motor vehicle may be suspended for 90 days. Lastly, alteration of the required forms of identification (driver’s license, passport or armed forces ID card) may constitute “possession of a forged instrument… with intent to defraud,” which is a Class D felony under New York State penal law.
Legal Consequences of Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
- Operating a Motor Vehicle After Consuming Alcohol While Under Age 21. Any person under age 21 who operates a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol, as determined by a blood-alcohol content of at least .02%, may be referred to the Department of Motor Vehicles for license suspension or revocation, and a $125 charge. V&T Law § 1192-a.
- Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) (more than .05% but less than .08% Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.) First violation (Traffic Infraction): Mandatory $300-$500 fine; and/or imprisonment up to 15 days; mandatory 90 day license revocation. Subsequent violations increase the fine, possible imprisonment and length of revocation.
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) (.08% B.A.C. or higher or while impaired by the use of a drug) 1st Violation (Misdemeanor): Mandatory $500-$1,000 fine and/or 1 year imprisonment; Mandatory 6-month minimum license revocation. Two violations within 10 years can result in jail for up to 4 years and a 1 year revocation of your license to drive. If there is personal injury, a possible lifetime revocation can result.
- If you are under the age of 21 and charged with DWAI, or DWI, and you are convicted of such charges, your license will be revoked for a minimum of one year. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, or if you refuse a chemical test, you face a mandatory jail term of 7-180 days and a mandatory fine of $500-$1,000.
Drugs
There are several New York State and Federal laws prohibiting the use and/or sale of controlled substances (drugs such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, PCP, LSD, methamphetamine and fentanyl). Misuse and sale of prescription medications is also prohibited. Prescriptions are meant to be used only by the person for whom the prescription is written and/or as prescribed. A conviction can result in a substantial fine and/or a lengthy imprisonment. Remember that the conviction of a crime will remain on your record and can impact your ability to find suitable employment or get a professional license and can impair your ability to travel.
Daemen College Sanctions
Members of the College community who violate these policies will be subject to discipline via the Student Code of Conduct. Taking into account the circumstances of each case, sanctions for students may range from warnings to expulsion from the College, and sanctions for faculty and staff members may range from warnings to termination. At the discretion of the College, as an alternative to, or in addition to any disciplinary action taken, students or employees may be required to participate in and to complete satisfactorily an appropriate counseling or rehabilitation program. Records of such discipline may be maintained in a student’s record or an employee’s personnel file. Enforcement of these sanctions will be through the College’s existing disciplinary procedures for students, faculty, and staff, as appropriate.