AODA Policy • Community Code • Carthage College

Carthage College recognizes that students often need education and assistance because a person significant to them is afflicted with chemical dependency, or because they require support in their own decisions not to use or abuse alcohol and/or other drugs. Since chemical dependency frequently precedes AODA, Carthage wishes to provide education and assistance to any student displaying the signs of such harmful involvement. Chemical dependency is a serious illness that can be successfully treated if identified early, if appropriate referral to community agencies is made, and if adequate support is afforded to those who are in the process of recovery.

Carthage College adheres to the laws of the State of Wisconsin with regard to the consumption of alcohol, thereby recognizing that individuals under the age of 21 are not of legal drinking age. Given that the majority of the student body at Carthage is under the legal age for purposes of the possession or consumption of alcohol, the College policy is designed to accommodate that majority.

Inappropriate public display of signs, posters, or other objects with references to alcohol, drugs, and accumulations of containers (i.e., bottles, cans, kegs, and boxes) are prohibited.

Student organizations are responsible for adhering to the Alcohol and Other Drug policy. In addition to individual student sanctions, organizations may be subject to a conduct process for hosting an event or promoting an environment that violates this policy.

All violations of Carthage policies or state and federal laws are subject to sanction under the community code. The students’ rights and responsibilities outlined herein will be adhered to as the standard administrative practice regarding student discipline and students’ rights. The entire campus community must assume the role of promoting and enforcing a sense of personal responsibility and exhibiting responsible behavior toward the consumption of alcohol and other drugs.

1. The possession, manufacture, sale, use, consumption, or delivery of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, or paraphernalia associated with the use of alcohol or other controlled substances by students on the campus of Carthage is prohibited (except; as noted in number 7, on the following page). This paraphernalia includes but is not limited to: bottles and cans that contain or previously contained alcohol; bongs or devices used for drinking or smoking; “bar like” or game table structures, tappers, kegs, waste containers in excess of 5 gallons. The rule will be strictly enforced.

2. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances by students off campus is governed and controlled by the laws of the state and/or local law enforcement agencies. Carthage will cooperate with state and/or local law enforcement agencies and owners or proprietors of bars, taverns, restaurants, or other establishments to counteract known violations of College policy and state and local laws by students or student groups associated with the College.

3. Students in the presence of alcohol and/or other drugs, but not using will be subject to the same disciplinary action under the AODA policy. The college will also consider all individuals found in a public location where alcohol and/or other drugs is present to be in violation of AODA policy.

4. Undesirable conduct stemming from off-campus usage of AODA is subject to disciplinary action by the College, as outlined herein.

5. Any group or organization which permits undesirable conduct stemming from on-campus or off-campus AODA usage is subject to disciplinary action by the College, as outlined herein.

6. The residence halls at Carthage shall be considered student Alcohol and Drug-free zones at all times. The College reserves the right to inspect any and all parcels brought onto campus, to confiscate alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances and the paraphernalia associated with the use of alcohol and other controlled substances, and initiate disciplinary procedures. Carthage respects each student’s right to privacy but reserves the right to inspect students’ rooms and packages as outlined in the “Student Room Entry” section of this Handbook. Examples of probable cause are odor, loud noise, observable alcohol and/or other drugs, or other evidence of drug usage. In the event of an incident, all containers and paraphernalia previously outlined in this policy will be emptied and discarded.

7. The College reserves the right to serve alcoholic beverages, at its discretion, at events in the Todd Wehr Center or elsewhere on or off campus (with the exceptions noted above) to individuals who are of legal drinking age. The College also reserves the right to monitor alcohol consumption by individuals at these events, and to take appropriate steps to assure the safety of all concerned. The College may invite students who are of legal drinking age to such events.

8. Students are not permitted to transport or consume alcohol, or other drugs, on College-sponsored trips.

AODA Violation Sanctions:

1. Violations of the Carthage AODA Policy will be considered cumulative during the entire period the student is enrolled at Carthage in determining disciplinary action for repeated violations of the policy.

2. Disciplinary action will be taken with regard to the use or abuse of controlled substances. A violation may result in a student’s suspension or dismissal from Carthage. Local law enforcement agencies may be summoned, AODA assessment may be required, fines may be assessed, and action similar to other AODA violations may be imposed.

3. Disciplinary sanctions increase in their severity with repeated student infractions of the AODA policy. Disciplinary sanctions may also be increased in their severity with the presence of common sources of alcohol.

The following sanctions shall be employed:

a. First Offense - one point assessed, $25 fine imposed, may be required to attend an AODA Workshop (failure to attend the workshop will result in further disciplinary action), possible community service or educational assignment, and/or possible chemical dependency evaluation/assessment and/or treatment paid for by the student.
b. Second Offense - two points assessed, $150 fine imposed, required to attend an AODA workshop, disciplinary probation and/or suspension, possible community service or educational assignment, possible chemical dependency evaluation/assessment, and/or treatment paid for by the student.
c. Third Offense - two points assessed, $250 fine imposed and/or suspension/dismissal from the College (length dependent upon the severity of accompanying offenses), mandatory chemical dependency evaluation/assessment and/or treatment paid for by the student, and possible community service.
d. Subsequent violations of the AODA Policy - two points assessed, a $350 fine and suspension/dismissal (length dependent upon the severity of accompanying offenses), the recommendation for chemical dependency evaluation/assessment and/or treatment.

4. Students failing to attend an assigned AODA workshop will face additional student conduct charges (non-compliance) as well as the imposition of an additional fine.

NOTE: Fines collected for violation of the alcohol policy are dedicated to alcohol abuse prevention efforts and educational programming.

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Information

HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSE

Use of Drugs or controlled substances, except under professional supervision and prescription, and abuse of alcohol is dangerous. Drugs and alcohol abuse jeopardizes the well-being of the individual and the community. Decreased productivity and learning, serious health problems, breakdown of social relationships, and strain on personal and societal resources follow abuse.

Serious health risks are associated with the use of alcohol, including:

Loss of muscle control, poor coordination, and slurred speech
Fatigue, nausea, and headache
Increased likelihood of accidents
Impaired judgment
Possible respiratory paralysis and death

Habitual heavy drinking can lead to:

Alcoholism
Damage to brain cells
Increased risk of cirrhosis, ulcers, heart disease, heart attack, and cancers of the liver, mouth, throat, and stomach
Hallucinations
Personality disorders

Serious health risks are associated with the use of illegal drugs, including:

Increased susceptibility to disease due to a less efficient immune system
Increased likelihood of accidents
Addiction
Death by overdose
Anemia
Poor concentration

APPLICABLE LEGAL SANCTIONS

Under the statutes of the State of Wisconsin, any person under the age of 21 who does any of the following is guilty of a violation:

Procures or attempts to procure alcoholic beverages from a licensee or permittee
Unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age, possesses, or consumes alcoholic beverages on a licensed premises
Enters, knowingly attempts to enter, or in a licensed premises unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age
Falsely represents his or her age for the purpose of receiving alcoholic beverages from a licensee or permittee

Persons committing the above violations are subject to the following penalties:

First violation – a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
Violation within 12 months of previous violation – a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $500, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
Violation within 12 months of two previous violations – a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $750, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
Violation within 12 months of three or more previous violations - a fine of not less than $750 nor more than $1000, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties

Additionally, an underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age, who knowingly possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a violation, and subject to the following penalties:

First violation – a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $200, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
Violation within 12 months of previous violation – a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $300, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
Violation within 12 months of two previous violations – a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $500, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties
Violation within 12 months of three or more previous violations - a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1000, suspension of operating privileges, participation in a supervised work program or other community service work, or a combination of these penalties

An adult who knowingly permits or fails to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages by an underage person on premises owned by the adult or under the adult’s control is guilty of a violation. The potential penalty increases with each subsequent offense, and may be up to a $10.000 fine and 9 months of imprisonment.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or deliver a controlled substance or controlled substance analog is a violation subject to a fine up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment up to 45 years, dependent upon the amount and type of substance involved in the offense. The applicable penalties increase under several specific circumstances, including offenses occurring subsequent to prior offenses, offenses on or near certain places and offenses involving persons 17 years of age or younger. Such offenses also subject a person to forfeitures of property associated with the offenses.

The unlawful possession or attempted possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog is a violation subject to a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to 3 years, depending on the type of substance involved and whether there have been previous offenses. The applicable penalty will increase if the offense is committed on or near certain places.

Federal law also penalizes the manufacture, distribution, possession with intent to manufacture or distribute, and simple possession of controlled substances. The law sets out the following sentences for first-time offenders:

A minimum of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment or fine of $4,000,000 or both for the knowing or intentional manufacture, sale or possession with intent to sell, of large amounts of any narcotic, including heroin, morphine, or cocaine (including “crack”), or of phencyclidine (PCP), or of LSD, or of Marijuana (1,000 kilograms or more).
A minimum of five years or $250,000 or both for similar actions involving smaller amounts of Marijuana (50 kilograms or more), hashish, PCP or LSD, or any amounts of amphetamines, barbiturates and other controlled stimulants or depressives.
Four years or $30,000 or both for using the mail, telephone, radio or any other public or private means of communication to commit acts that violate the laws against the manufacture, sale, and possession of drugs.
One year or $1,000 or both for possession of any controlled substance.

State and federal law make crimes of many different activities involving drugs. Simple possession, giving or merely offering drugs is an illegal act.

RESOURCES FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROBLEMS

Educational Programs

The Health and Counseling Center offers programs for students on alcohol and marijuana-related topics. These programs may be presented in classes, on residence hall floors, or for organizations. The content of these programs can be tailored for the particular group or audience. An example of a program is “Academics and Alcohol”, which examines school-related consequences of alcohol use such as missed study time, missed classes, and poor grades.

The Office of Student Life sponsors alcohol and marijuana education workshops for students. Both workshops cover topics such as patterns of use, beliefs about use, and consequences of use. The Office of Student Life also has contracted with “Campus Clarity” to provide an online alcohol education course.

Assessment and Treatment

The Health and Counseling Center provides informal assessments of alcohol concerns, and counseling is available for all students. Students seek counseling for a range of concerns including relationship problems, depression, and adjusting to changes in college. Students also discuss alcohol concerns in counseling, and it may play a role in any of the problems listed above.

Carthage College refers students to clinics in the Kenosha area for formal alcohol assessment and treatment. The Office of Student Life or the Health and Counseling Center can provide students with such information whenever needed or requested by students. Any member of the Carthage community concerned about their own substance abuse problem, or the substance abuse problem of someone close to them, may contact the Office of Student Life, a Student Life staff member, or the Health and Counseling Center to be put in contact with an appropriate assessment and treatment resource.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Al-Anon (friends/family of alcoholics) hold weekly meetings near the Carthage Campus. Location meetings and times can be obtained online. For questions and/or location of the meetings, students may call an off-campus number, 262-554-6611. Recovering members, not affiliated with the college, will respond to your inquiries and maintain your anonymity.

Informational Materials

The Health and Counseling Center offers free brochures to students on topics related to alcohol and drugs, as well as a range of other physical and mental health topics. Any student may gain access to the online alcohol education course by making a request with the Office of Student Life.