Drugs and Alcohol Campus
Howard Community College (HCC) provides a drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure educational environment. Employees are expected and required to be in appropriate mental and physical condition for work. Students are expected to contribute to the desired environment by conducting themselves within the guidelines of the student code of conduct.
The unlawful manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of illicit drugs and the illegal use of alcohol on campus or as a part of any HCC activity whether on or off college premises is prohibited in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Employees who show evidence of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances while at the college may be subjected to an immediate drug or alcohol screening in accordance with college procedure 63.11.04, Employee Drug and Alcohol Testing. If an employee appears otherwise impaired, see procedure 63.10.11, Fitness to Work.
Violations of this policy by employees or students will result in disciplinary action, consistent with college policies. In addition, any violations may have legal consequences consistent with federal, state, and local law and the college will cooperate with appropriate health and law enforcement agencies.
HCC does not want the fear of receiving disciplinary charges or disciplinary sanction to prevent a student from reporting an incident of sexual misconduct. A student who reports an incident of sexual misconduct, either as a complainant or a third party witness, will not be held responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct if the student was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.
The college recognizes drug or alcohol abuse as a potential illness and major health problem, as well as a potential safety issue. Students and employees who need help in dealing with such problems are encouraged to use community or campus assistance programs. Voluntary participation in an assistance program alone will not jeopardize continued employment or enrollment at the college and will not be noted in the personnel or student record provided that job or classroom performance or behavior is consistent with established standards. However, voluntary participation in an assistance program will not prevent disciplinary action for violation of this policy, nor will it prevent corrective action for performance or behavior problems in the workplace or classroom before, during, or after participation in an assistance program.
In accordance with college procedure 63.09.16, Duty of Employees to Report Arrests, Charges, and Convictions Procedure, a college employee who is arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime involving legal or illegal drugs or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol must report the action to the associate vice president of human resources within 72 hours.
The efficacy of the policy is evaluated on an annual basis by human resources.