The Office of Student Conduct is thrilled to have all of you back on campus. With all the excitement of arriving or returning to campus, it’s important to be prepared. Alcohol and drug use are often depicted in the media as a vital part of college culture. In reality only 49% of college students aged 18-22 report consuming any alcohol in the past month (NSDUH, 2022). Whether you choose to participate or not, it is important to understand university policy. The use of drugs and narcotics, as well as any related items, is strictly prohibited. This includes the use of cannabis, even if you have a valid medical ID card. Any use, possession, or distribution of alcohol on campus, as well as public intoxication, is also prohibited, regardless of whether the alcohol was consumed elsewhere. If you decide to consume substances, it’s important to create a plan to help ensure your safety. Here are some things to consider:
- Do you have safe transportation?
- How many drinks do you plan to have tonight?
- If you plan on mixing substances, do you know how those interact? (Including prescribed medications)
- Are you surrounded by people you trust?
- Will this prevent you from being your best the next day?
Every year 22,219 college students are hospitalized for an alcohol overdose (SAMHSA, 2021). Alcohol poisoning is an emergency. If you are worried about yourself or a friend call 911 immediately.
Alcohol poisoning symptoms include:
- Confusion.
- Vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Slow breathing, which is fewer than eight breaths a minute.
- Breathing that’s not regular. This is when there is a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths.
- Skin that looks blue, gray, or pale.
- Low body temperature, also known as hypothermia.
- Trouble staying conscious or awake
(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2023).
Do not let the fear of getting in trouble prevent you from intervening. The Good Citizen Policy, outlined in section 2.7 of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities states that “The University pursues a policy of limited immunity for Students who offer help to others in need. While policy violations cannot be overlooked, the University, to the extent possible, will consider the positive impact of reporting an incident on the welfare of Students when determining the appropriate response for University policy violations by the reporter of the incident.”