Drug- Free Institution

June 2004

The Kentucky Community Technical College System is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for its students, faculty and staff.    The University has defined conduct in relation to the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution or manufacture of alcohol or illicit drugs. Conduct which is violative of this definition poses unacceptable risks and disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of members of the College community and shall result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination.

As a recipient of federal grants and contracts, KCTCS gives this notice to students, faculty and staff that it is in compliance with and shall continue to be in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Students, faculty and staff are herein notified of the standards of conduct which shall be applicable while on KCTCS property, on College business, and/or at College sponsored activities.

Standards Of Conduct Drugs and Alcoholic Beverages

By KCTCS regulations, by federal law, by state law, and, in some instances, by local ordinance, students, faculty and staff are prohibited from the unlawful possession, use dispensation, distribution, or manufacture of illicit drugs on KCTCS property on College business, and/or College sponsored activities.  Under KCTCS regulations, students, faculty and staff are required to abide by state laws concerning alcoholic beverages. Basically, Kentucky laws stat that, if one is under the age of 21, it is unlawful to:

•  possess or consume alcoholic beverages,

•  misrepresent one's age for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages, or

•  use a fake ID in an attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.

No matter what one's age, Kentucky law states that it is unlawful to:

•  procure any alcoholic beverages for anyone under 21 years of age or

•  drink or be drunk in a public place.

KCTCS campuses and buildings are considered as public places for purposes of these laws, except for a facility licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, and except for a facility used as a private residence, unless KCTCS regulations state otherwise.

Any member of the KCTCS student body, faculty, or staff who violates these defined standards of conduct shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/ or termination. The specifically defined standards of conduct, the disciplinary procedures, and the appropriate sanctions are detailed in the codes of student conduct and in the Administrative Regulations.  In addition, it is a violation of state law to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of any substance which may impair one's driving ability (drugs or alcoholic beverages).

Sanctions

Under KCTCS regulation, students who violate this standard of conduct are subject to disciplinary action from a minimum of a warning to maximum of suspension from the college. Students who reside in College housing are subject to further disciplinary action which may vary from a warning to termination of their housing contract.

Faculty and staff are subject to disciplinary action from a minimum of a warning to a maximum of termination from KCTCS employment.  Under state and federal drug laws, the gravity of the sanction depends on the classification of the controlled substance, the particular activity involved (possession or trafficking which includes manufacture, sale and possession with intent to sell), and whether or not multiple convictions are involved.