College of DuPage's policy is to provide a drug and alcohol free environment and work place as defined by the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994. College of DuPage reviews compliance on a biennial basis to determine its effectiveness and to ensure that the standards of conduct and judicial sanctions have been consistently enforced.
College of DuPage prohibits the unlawful possession, use, distribution, dispensing and manufacture of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any College activity.
Students who violate this policy will be governed by the College's Code of Student Conduct and subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension, expulsion and referral for prosecution. A judicial sanction for violating this policy may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program. Employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with their appropriate employee group regulations up to and including suspension, termination of employment and referral for prosecution.
Students, employees and visitors are subject to local, state and federal laws. Criminal penalties for such violations may include assigned community service, fines and imprisonment. In addition, property used in connection with illegal drugs may be confiscated, federal student loans, grants and contracts may be denied, and driving privileges may be revoked. Penalties for violations will apply.
The use of illicit drugs is illegal under both the state and federal statutes. Use of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age is illegal under state law. Penalties for conviction under state and federal law include incarceration and fines. Property used in connection with illegal drugs may be confiscated. Federal student loans and grants may be denied to those convicted for a violation of a criminal drug statute.
The State of Illinois prohibits the sale, use or possession of all forms of alcoholic beverages by persons less than 21 years of age. Students are responsible for adhering to the Code of Student Conduct and Drug-Free School policy.
College of DuPage expects students to uphold the law when it comes to the purchase and consumption of alcohol. The institution also seeks to educate students about making safe, responsible decisions when it comes to substance use.
Counselors are the point of contact for outreach and initiatives pertaining to responsible substance use. Students who are found responsible for violating College of DuPage’s Code of Student Conduct policy may be mandated to meet with a counselor and participate in interventions.
Students should be prepared to seek help when a peer may be experiencing a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning by calling the College Police at (630) 942-2000 (Glen Ellyn campus) or call 911( at all COD Centers). Students are expected to take action in such situations and not be a passive bystander. Here are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, and remember that not all symptoms need to be present for alcohol poisoning to occur:
- Person is unconscious and cannot be roused;
- Person is in a stupor or exhibits confusion;
- Person is vomiting (prop unconscious persons on their sides so that they won’t choke on their own vomit);
- Skin is pale, has a blue tinge, and/or skin is unusually cold to the touch;
- Abnormally slow breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute) and/or irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths);
- Seizures.
Drug overdoses can vary depending on the drug consumed, but here is a general list of symptoms that indicate help is needed. Remember that not all symptoms need be present for an overdose to occur:
- Abnormal pupil size;
- Agitation, aggressive, and/or violent behavior;
- Convulsions;
- Delusional or paranoid behavior;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Drowsiness;
- Hallucinations;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Nonreactive pupils (pupils that do not change size when exposed to light);
- Staggering or unsteady gait;
- Sweating or extremely dry, hot skin;
- Tremors;
- Unconsciousness or death.
Additionally, the following regulations govern alcohol use by students and student organizations:
- All casual possession or consumption of alcohol by students in on campus is prohibited regardless of age.
- Consumption of alcohol which results in behavior that infringes on the rights of others in the community is prohibited.
Tobacco-Free Environment
College of DuPage prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes on College of DuPage campus and COD Center campuses. In addition to all buildings, it applies to all outside property and grounds and College-owned vehicles. There is a fine for using tobacco on campus.
COD takes very seriously the health and safety of its employees, students and campus visitors. Research continues to show that the use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and tobacco use in general, including secondhand smoke, constitutes a significant health risk. The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that the health effects of secondhand smoke are even more pervasive than previously thought. In addition to the health related illnesses, the use of tobacco products contributes to the institutional costs in other ways such as cleaning and maintenance costs, fire damage and costs associated with absenteeism, health care and medical insurance costs. For these reasons, College of DuPage went tobacco free as of August 6, 2012.
Tobacco-free means that College of DuPage prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes on College of DuPage campus and satellite campuses. In addition to all buildings, it applies to all outside property and grounds and College owned vehicles.