Alcohol Policy

IWU Philosophical Statement

PHILOSOPHY

A review of alcohol issues at IWU begins with guiding principals upon which policies and programs are built.  Following is IWU’s philosophical statement regarding the consumption of alcohol, which is made available online and via the student handbook.

Illinois Wesleyan University exists primarily to provide students a liberal education of excellence – an education fostering the knowledge, skills and values needed to sustain a lifetime of learning, citizenship and leadership.  An essential foundation of academic excellence is a learning environment free from both threats to one’s safety as well as other distractions from the pursuit of personal and academic achievement.  The misuse or abuse of alcohol is such a threat to the safety and productivity of a healthy learning environment.  It is a threat the University will not accept.  To that end, IWU expects all members of the community to make informed and responsible decisions about the appropriate use of alcohol.  The University, in turn, views as one of its fundamental obligations the responsibility to provide students and the other IWU community members with the information, guidance, and assistance needed to enhance their wellness.  This obligation incorporates a holistic approach to wellness, including support for both the decision whether to consume alcohol or the manner by which to use it responsibly.  The university affirms that, given such support, its students are endowed themselves with the ability and primary responsibility to regulate and monitor alcohol consumption compatible with a productive educational environment safe for all students.

The University community believes it is able to positively influence alcohol consumption patterns and associated behavior.  The devastating consequences of alcohol misuse and abuse are too obvious and extensive to be left unattended.  Alcohol misuse or abuse contributes to poor academic performance, interpersonal problems, motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, unplanned or unprotected sexual activity, physical and sexual assault, suicide and other unacceptable outcomes.  The University recognizes that alcohol consumption by students and other community members is shaped by pervasive societal, family, and peer norms preexisting entrance to the University community.  Consequently, profoundly re-shaping norms is a difficult task requiring more time than an undergraduate tenure.  Still, the University aspires to create a norm where alcohol misuse or abuse by any community member, is firmly deterred and suitably remedied.  The university acknowledges that students and other community members consume alcohol, but tolerates only the legal consumption of alcohol in a manner consistent with its educational mission and the immediate safety and long-term health of the consumer.

The specific policies adopted by the University to achieve the ideals reflected in this philosophical statement will be built upon two premises.  First, the employment of alcohol education, as both a prevention measure and as a response to conduct indicative of misuse or abuse, is more effective and efficient than codes based solely on admonition and punishment.  The University is committed to provide meaningful, comprehensive, and extensive education to students and others at all stages of their participation in the IWU community.  Educational efforts will have as their goal the creation of an environment conductive to academic achievement, student safety, healthy lifestyles and a reduction of the pressure directed toward students, regardless of their age, to misuse or abuse alcohol.

The second premise recognizes the stake students have in the safe use of alcohol.  The University community acknowledges that students, primarily, experience the negative consequences of alcohol misuse or abuse.  They must live, interact and work collaboratively with peers who may misuse or abuse alcohol and thereby detract from the healthy, safe and constructive educational and social environments students rightfully expect.  A corollary belief is that students are capable both of specifying that behavior which detracts from their safe and productive learning environment and determining the just consequence to those who conduct diminishes their academic opportunities.  Therefore, students intelligently can and should assume a central role in consistently administering the University’s alcohol policy.

Efforts to address alcohol education must be multifaceted, with special emphasis placed on building bridges of communication and trust.  The entire campus community, (students, faculty, parents, administration, alumni, and the Board of Trustees) actively shares in the responsibility of creating an environment that is conductive to healthy lifestyles that include emotional and psychological well-being.         

Given our belief that Illinois Wesleyan University students are capable of making intelligent and informed decisions regarding alcohol use, it is the responsibility of the University to provide accurate information regarding AOD risks and thus empower members of the college community to make informed decisions that positively influence campus climate.

 Alcohol Education at IWU has been divided into five categories:  (1) assessment, (2) communication and coalition building, (3) student involvement, (4) social activities, and (5) awareness, intervention and treatment.  Prescribed goals in each area are paramount to the education process.   

Alcohol Violation Sanction Guidelines

For those reports that rise to the adjudication level (after investigation of reported violations), students found responsible are sanctioned appropriately according to the policy, using the following guideline:

University Policy for Alcohol and Related Offenses Possessing, using, providing, manufacturing, distributing, or selling alcoholic beverages in violation of law or university policies is expressly prohibited. Examples of these prohibited actions include: drinking under the age of 21; possession or consumption of hard liquor in any university owned building; providing alcohol to minors; providing common source alcohol; selling alcohol at a university sponsored event or in any university owned buildings; driving while under the influence of alcohol. At the same time, the University shall offer programs and procedures that enhance the safety and responsible behavior of all persons relative to the legal use of alcohol in relation to campus life. University Judicial Process for Alcohol Policy Normally adjudicated by the Dean of Students or the Dean’s designee(s) including: the Assistant Vice of Student Afffairs and professional staff from the Office of Residential Life. Cases may also be adjudicated by the All University Judiciary Committee.  Sanction Overview Sanctioning of alcohol may be more severe if the incident includes any of the following aggravating factors(s): public intoxication; medical transport; providing alcohol/drugs to minors; driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs; damage to property; obstruction of a peace officer; and/ failure to abide by a university official. Repeat offenses and severity of incident(s) may result in suspension.

 

Drugs (chemical stimulants, depressants, hallucinogenics, marijuana and other substances) Violation shall consist of: Possession, manufacture, use or distribution of any drug in violation of law. Misuse of prescription drugs including but not limited to: Selling of prescribed medication Giving away of prescribed medication Drug Paraphernalia.  Including but not limited to: Possession of any items that are designed for the use of drugs (bowls, bongs, etc.). Any items fashioned for the purpose of facilitating drug use will also be considered a violation of this policy. Hookahs are not allowed on campus. Possession, use or distribution of alcoholic beverages on university property in violation of law. While the use of marijuana is legal in Illinois, as a recipient of federal funding, such as financial aid and federal grants and contracts for research, IWU is required to continue to prohibit the use and possession of all federally controlled substances – including marijuana on our campus. Consequently, such activity will remain prohibited by IWU policy and the IWU Student Conduct Code. At the federal level, the Controlled Substances Act states that the growing and use of marijuana is a crime and federal enforcement agencies can prosecute users and growers of marijuana, regardless of state law. In addition to being a federal offense, the use of medical marijuana in the workplace and on campus is restricted by additional federal laws, such as the federal Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act. It is those federal laws that require IWU to prohibit the use of marijuana, including for medical purposes, on campus.   University Judicial Process for Substance/Drug Policy Normally adjudicated by the Dean of Students or the Dean’s designee(s) including: the Assistant Vice of Student Afffairs and professional staff from the Office of Residential Life. Cases may also be adjudicated by the All University Judiciary Committee.    Sanction Overview Sanctioning for the substance/drug policy may be more severe if the incident includes any of the following aggravating factors(s): public intoxication; medical transport; providing/selling drugs to others; driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs; damage to property; obstruction of a peace officer; and/ failure to abide by a university official. Repeat offenses and severity of incident(s) may result in suspension.

 

Substance Abuse and Health

Illinois Wesleyan University has always recognized the importance of a realistic policy in regard to substance abuse and, at the same time, has always been ready to help those who develop a problem in this area.  Substance abuse is detrimental to every organ system.  Drug usage, in otherwise healthy individuals, may cause gastrointestinal problems, sleep disorders, eating disorders, anxiety or depression, and a compromised immune system.  Continued abuse may lead to deterioration of heart, liver, pancreas, and brain.  Not only can substance abuse result in the negative health impact as described above but may lead to other risks such as compromised relationships, family problems, academic problems, acquaintance rape, unwanted pregnancies, violence injuries, accidents, and sexually transmitted diseases (see “Drugs of Abuse” chart for further information).

Drugs and Controlled Substance Policy

Students are prohibited from the use, possession, distribution or sale of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines or any other controlled substance covered by the Federal and State Controlled Substance Act.

Financial Aid Regulations for Possession or Sale of Controlled Substances Including Prescription Medications

Higher Education Act Drug Provision

http://www.raiseyourvoice.com/484f.shtml

The following provision was contained in subsection (r) of section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1998 (see 20 U.S.C. 1091(r)).

(r) Suspension of eligibility for drug related offenses.-
(1) IN GENERAL- A student who has been convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this title during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following table:

If convicted of an offense involving:

The possession of a controlled substance:
Ineligibility Period
First Offense - 1 year
Second Offense - 2 years
Third Offense - Indefinite

The sale of a controlled substance:
Ineligibility Period
First Offense - 2 years
Second Offense - Indefinite

REHABILITATION- A student whose eligibility has been suspended under paragraph (1) may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period determined under such paragraph if--

(A) the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that--

(i) complies with such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe in regulations for purposes of this paragraph; and

(ii) includes two unannounced drug tests; or

(B) the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.

(3) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection, the term `controlled substance' has the meaning given the term in section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6)).'.

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by paragraph (1), regarding suspension of eligibility for drug-related offenses, shall apply with respect to financial assistance of cover the costs of attendance for periods of enrollment beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.