Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Information

1. 1. Community College District 510, South Suburban College, recognizes its responsibility, which is shared by other segments of the community, to assist students who exhibit a wide range of behavior problems.
   2. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that any student of South Suburban College having a disorder or problem will be able to receive prompt and confidential assistance and, as determined by the College’s Student Assistance Program provider, referral to agencies and programs capable of aiding in resolving the problem.
   3. Treatable problems for the purpose of this policy are those that have an impact on the student’s behavior/performance at the College and/or general health as it relates to performance at the College.
   4. It is expected that students will voluntarily seek and accept the recommendations of the Student Assistance Program coordinator, counselor or, a designated assessment professional.
   5. Effective administration of the Student Assistance Program depends upon the cooperation of all the members of South Suburban College. Students are encouraged to voluntarily seek assistance or urge others to seek assistance at 1-800-456-6327. Resorting to the Program is not intended to have an adverse impact on the student’s status in the College.
   6. The College recognizes that diagnosis and treatment of an enumerated problem requires special skill and training not necessarily possessed by students. Thus, referral by College staff to the Student Assistance Program is to be based on the student’s unsatisfactory class behavior and/or apparent health or behavioral problem.
   7. A student referred to assessment/counseling is expected to cooperate with any prescribed treatment program or recommendations by the College’s counselors or the Student Assistance Program provider.
   8. Continued failure to accept diagnosis or treatment that is offered to the student by the coordinator, counselor or, as determined necessary by the College’s Student Assistance Program provider, or continued failure to respond to treatment will be handled in accordance with the College’s practices for dealing with unacceptable performance/ behavior in class or on College property.
   9. The student is assured confidential handling of the referral, diagnosis and treatment under the Student Assistance Program. The referring College staff member, the Student Assistance Program or the Student Assistance Program provider’s designated assessment professional need not be involved with the follow-up treatment.
   10. It should be understood by students that any violations of school rules and/or policies shall be governed by College policy regarding student conduct. Nothing contained herein limits the right of the College under federal, state or local law or applicable College policy to discipline the student up to and including expulsion for any violation of any College policy or rule.

SSC does not tolerate substance abuse. The SSC Code of Conduct addresses the issue in the following manner:

“The Student Code of Conduct has been developed to maintain an atmosphere conducive to developing optimum educational experiences for all members of the College community. Conduct in violation of this Code includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

Sale or distribution of any narcotic, drug, marijuana, depressant or other addictive or hallucinogenic substance not expressly permitted by law on College property, either owned, contracted, rented or leased;

Possessing, selling, using, consuming, or distributing alcoholic beverages or controlled substances or being under the influence of such items at any College facility or at an officially sponsored College event on or off campus except an off campus activity where all in attendance meet the minimum age requirement established by law, and the location of the activity does not prohibit such beverages;

Violation of this Code of Conduct is considered grounds for sanction against the student and, if the situation should warrant, binding over to civil authorities for appropriate action.”

In addition to the above legal or disciplinary action, those students convicted of illegal use of a controlled substance could forfeit all rights to any federal or state financial aid.

1. Minor Sanctions
   
   1. WARNING: Student receives a warning and/or reprimand that the College has taken note of the student’s action and further violations of the Student Code of Conduct may result in probation, suspension or dismissal depending upon severity of the incident.
   2. PROBATION: Student is reprimanded for violating specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and may result in more severe disciplinary sanctions if further violations occur during the probationary period. The student will receive written notification of his/her probation.
   3. BEHAVIORAL CONTRACT: Student enters into a written agreement to modify behavior. The student’s failure to fulfill terms of the contract may result in additional disciplinary sanctions.
2. Intermediate Sanctions
   
   1. RESTITUTION: Student is required to reimburse for damage to or misappropriation of property in addition to other types of disciplinary action.
   2. DISCRETIONARY SANCTIONS: Student is required to complete work assignments, community service, or other assignments.
   3. ALCOHOL/DRUG SANCTIONS: Student may receive an assessment and be required to participate in counseling or educational programs in lieu of, or in addition to, the imposition of other disciplinary actions. Parents of students under the age 21 will be notified in the event of discipline related to alcohol and drug use.
   4. WITHDRAWAL: Student will administratively be withdrawn from any and all classes with consequent loss of associated tuition and fees.
3. Severe Sanctions
   
   1. SUSPENSION: Student is prohibited from attending all enrolled College courses for a determined period of time and must meet all specific requirements for readmission to College courses as determined by the Dean of Student Development or the College Disciplinary Standards Committee. A suspension will not exceed ten (10) school days per offense.
   2. DISMISSAL: Student is prohibited from attending all enrolled College courses for more than ten (10) days. A Dismissal shall not exceed the remainder of the current semester through the following full semester (Fall or Spring). Following the dismissal period, the student must appeal in writing to the Dean of Student Development for reinstatement.
   3. EXPULSION: Student is prohibited from attending all enrolled College courses for a period not to exceed the remainder of the current semester through the following two (2) full semesters (Fall or Spring). Following the expulsion period, the student must appeal in writing to the Dean of Student Development. The Dean will review the appeal with the Vice President for Student Development and determine whether the appeal should be referred to the College Disciplinary Standards Committee. All decisions made by the College Disciplinary Standards Committee are final.