Alcohol and Other Drug Policy for Students, Faculty and Staff

The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs increase the risk for a number of health related and other medical, behavioral, and social problems. These include acute health problems related to intoxication or overdose (blackouts, convulsions, coma, death); physical and psychological dependence; malnutrition; long-term health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, organic brain damage, high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, and cancer of the liver, mouth, throat, and stomach; contracting diseases, such as AIDS, through the sharing of hypodermic needles; pregnancy problems including miscarriages, still births and learning disabilities; fetal alcohol syndrome (physical and mental birth defects); psychological or psychiatric problems; diminished behavior (hangovers, hallucinations, disorientation, slurred speech); unusual or inappropriate risk-taking which may result in physical or emotional injury, or death; violent behavior towards others, such as assaults and rape; accidents caused by operating machinery while impaired; impaired driving resulting in alcohol and drug-related arrest, traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities; negative effects on academic or work performance; conflict with co-workers, classmates, family, friends, and others; conduct problems resulting in disciplinary actions, including loss of employment; and legal problems including imprisonment.

The University encourages individuals with alcohol or other drug-related problems to seek assistance.
Confidential, no-cost services are available to University of Michigan-Dearborn students, faculty and staff members.

For students:

Counseling and Psychological Services
2157 University Center, 593-5430
This office can also provide additional information on local, state, and national resources for those seeking substance abuse assistance.

For Faculty and Staff:

Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO)
To schedule an appointment or inquire about FASCCO services, please call 734-936-8660 or email [email protected]. Local resources are available.

Unlawful possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs by faculty, staff, or students on University property or as a part of any University activity may lead to sanctions within the University, the severity of which shall increase as the seriousness of the violation increases. Sanctions include:

• A verbal or written reprimand;
• Completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program;
• A disciplinary warning, with notice that repetition of the offense or continuation of the offense may result in a more serious sanction;
• Suspension from the University (student) or from employment (employee) or from a specific University activity or facility for a fixed period of time or until completion of specified conditions, such as completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program;
• Expulsion from the University (student) or termination of employment (faculty and staff);
• and/or Other appropriate sanctions

Sanctions for violations by faculty and staff shall be imposed pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct or pursuant to other approved procedures. More detailed descriptions of sanctions related to these and other drug and alcohol offenses are available at the Human Resources office, 1050 AB, 593-5190; and at the Student Affairs office, 2157 UC, 593-5151.

Unlawful possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs may also lead to a referral to the appropriate local, state, and/or federal authorities for prosecution for a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the nature of the offense. The sanctions for such offenses may include fines and/or imprisonment. For example, under federal laws trafficking in drugs such as heroin or cocaine may result in sanctions up to and including life imprisonment for a first offense involving 100 grams or more. Fines for such an offense can reach $4 million. Offenses involving lesser amounts, 10-99 grams may result in sanctions up to and including 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $20 million. A first offense for trafficking in marijuana may lead to sanctions up to life imprisonment for an offense involving 1,000 kg or more or up to 5 years imprisonment for an offense involving less than 50 kg. Such an offense carries with it fines that can reach $4 million for an individual offender. Federal and State sanctions for illegal possession of controlled substances range from up to one-year imprisonment and up to $100,000 in fines to three years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines for repeat offenders. Violations may also lead to forfeiture of personal and real property and denial of federal benefits, such as grants, contracts, and student loans.

The State of Michigan may impose a wide range of sanctions for alcohol-related offenses. For example, a first drunk driving offense may be punished by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500, suspended license for not less than six months nor more than two years, and up to 360 hours of community service. Subsequent offenses can lead to significantly increased sanctions. Furnishing or using fraudulent identification to obtain alcohol may be punished by up to 93 days in jail and a $100 fine.

On September 1, 1995, the Michigan Legislature expanded the law concerning minors and alcohol possession, consumption, and purchase. A minor is anyone under the age of 21. The minor may be required to submit to a preliminary chemical breath test and may be subject to suspension of his/her driver's license even if he/she was not in an automobile at the time of the arrest. In addition, it is now a misdemeanor, not a civil infraction, for a minor to attempt to possess, consume, or purchase alcohol. If the underage person is less than 18 years of age, the agency charging him/her must notify the parents or guardian within 48 hours.

Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, in addition to the other requirements of this policy, a faculty or staff member who works in any capacity under a federal grant or contract must notify his or her University supervisor or department head, in writing, of his or her conviction for a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction. This applies to direct charge employees and to the indirect charge employees who perform any support or overhead functions related to the grant. The supervisor or department head must then promptly report the violation to the General Counsel's Office.

Michigan law prohibits using, dispensing, selling or supplying drugs or alcoholic beverages to a person under  21 years old. Employees, students, faculty and campus visitors may not unlawfully manufacture, consume,  possess, sell, distribute, transfer or be under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs or controlled substances on  University property, while driving a University vehicle or while otherwise engaged in University business. The  only exception to this Policy is that individuals of legal age may consume alcohol on University property in a  manner consistent with University policy and State of Michigan law. University property, as defined in this  Policy, includes all buildings and land owned, leased, or used by the University, and motor vehicles operated by  employees, including personal motor vehicles, when used in connection with work performed for or on behalf of  the University. The University prohibits the storage of consumable alcohol on University property except (a) as  specifically allowed in licensed locations or (b) in private residences if the storage of consumable alcohol is  expressly permitted by the building use rules applicable for the location of the residence.

If alcohol is to be served at any event/meeting inside or outside of the licensed facility on campus, the General  Counsel's frequently asked questions web page should be referenced for proper handling.

Any person taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter medication is personally responsible for ensuring that  while taking such drugs or medications, he or she is not a safety risk to themselves and others while on University  property, while driving a University or privately owned vehicle, or while otherwise engaged in University  business. It is illegal to misuse prescription medication, i.e. continue to use medication when the prescription is no  longer valid, use prescribed drugs contrary to the prescription, and give or sell prescribed drugs to another person. Misusing prescription drugs can result in conviction with jail time.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a smoke-free campus. Electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems or any other lit smoking devices (a) are expressly prohibited on the grounds or in the buildings of the University of Michigan Dearborn.

UM-Dearborn uses best practice interventions, collaboration, and innovation to reduce harmful consequences of  alcohol and other drug use.

• Providing education and awareness activities.
• Offering substance-free social, extracurricular, and public service options.
• Creating a health-promoting normative environment.
• Restricting the marketing and promotion of alcohol and other drugs.
• Enforcing campus policies and laws to address high-risk and illegal alcohol and other drug use.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn expects each student organization to promote behavior that is consistent with this Policy. Student organizations will be held to the highest standards and will be expected to comply with all federal, state and local laws, thus minimizing criminal and civil  liability to the organization and its members, while helping to ensure the personal safety and welfare of its members and guests.

The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs also increases the risks for behavioral and social problems such as  negative effects on academic work performance; conflicts with co-workers, classmates, family, friends and others;  conduct problems resulting in disciplinary action, including loss of employment or dismissal from an academic  program; and legal problems resulting in ticketing, fines and imprisonment.

Violation of University policies will be subject to campus disciplinary review and action, as follows:

Students: The University community has established expectations for non-academic student conduct under the  Code of Student Conduct. The Code specifically addresses the illicit use of alcohol and other drugs.

The following behaviors contradict the values of the University community and are subject to disciplinary action under the AOD Policy:

• “Illegally possessing or using alcohol”
• “Illegally distributing, manufacturing, or selling alcohol”
• “Illegally possessing or using drugs”
• “Illegally distributing, manufacturing, or selling drugs”

The Code of Student Conduct, including possible sanctions, can be found in the Student Rights & Code of Conduct page and is administered by Student Affairs. Sanctions cover a wide range of educational assignments and obligations, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion  from the institution. Student Affairs oversees conduct and hearing processes for students as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

Academic units of the university may also have written or implied policies concerning management of alcohol use  and their response to the illicit use of alcohol and other drugs in the academic setting. Students are expected to  know and understand these additional policies and abide by them.

Staff and Faculty: Sanctions for violations by faculty and staff are governed by policies within individual  departments and any applicable guidelines set by university regulations (Standard Practice Guide 201.12), appropriate collective bargaining agreements, and other applicable policies  or procedures. Appropriate sanctions may include: verbal or written warnings, a mandated rehabilitation program,  probation, suspension, and termination. In each case there are likely to be different circumstances that are relevant  for understanding the situation and determining the appropriate sanction.

Violations of laws and ordinances may result in misdemeanor or felony convictions accompanied by the  imposition of legal sanctions, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fines as determined under local, state, or federal laws;
• Imprisonment, including up to life imprisonment, for possession or trafficking in drugs such as heroin,  cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs;
• Forfeiture of personal and real property;
• Denial of federal benefits such as grants, contracts and student loans;
• Loss of driving privileges;
• Required attendance at substance abuse education or treatment programs.

On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters passed Proposal 18-1, which legalizes possession and use of limited amounts of recreational marijuana by individuals 21 years and older. Neither this new state law, nor the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, authorize the use or possession of marijuana on any property owned or managed by UM-Dearborn, and by UM-Dearborn’s faculty, staff, or students on any UM-Dearborn property or during off-campus U-M business or events.

Marijuana possession and use remains illegal under federal law and is categorized as an illicit substance under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Therefore, even though the State of Michigan has legalized limited amounts of marijuana for recreational or medicinal use for some individuals, the possession, use, storage and cultivation of marijuana remains prohibited for all faculty, staff and students under U-M policy.

Employees and students who violate U-M policy prohibiting the use or possession of illegal drugs on campus will continue to be subject to disciplinary action.

Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act, in addition to the other requirements of this Policy, the University of  Michigan requires all employees who work in any capacity under a federal grant or contract to notify his or her  University supervisor or department head in writing of his or her conviction for a violation of any criminal drug  statute occurring in the workplace or on work-related activities no later than five (5) calendar days after such  conviction. The supervisor or department head will notify University Human Resources, who will consult with the  appropriate staff in the Division of Research Development and Administration regarding satisfying the  University's reporting obligations.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn will refuse advertising inconsistent with the fundamental missions of the  University, or in conflict with the image the University seeks to project or the well-being of the University  community. Examples of advertisements that will not be accepted include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Tobacco products
• Sex as a product
• Gambling
• Paraphernalia associated with illegal drugs
• Dishonest, deceptive, or illegal advertising