The Alcohol and Other Drug Policy demonstrates compliance with Title IV requirements, the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101-226, Executive Order 12564, Public Law 100-71, and subsequent regulations including the Drug-Free Workplace Act. This policy also aligns with the University of Louisiana System regulations regarding alcohol and other drugs.
The Office of Student Services coordinates the University’s alcohol and drug prevention programming in partnership with the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment and McNeese Police.
See also: Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy
McNeese annually notifies students and staff regarding the Code of Student Conduct and the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy. The notification includes applicable federal, state, local, and institutional sanctions regarding violation of the Code of Student Conduct and University policies, a description of the long and short-term health risks of substance abuse, and a list of prevention and treatment programs available to students, staff, and faculty. The annual notification for students is conducted through the University electronic communication digest and coincides with the official census dates for each term. The annual notification for employees is conducted through the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment and the University electronic communication digest.
Further information is available online in the Annual Security Report (ASR) in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The ASR contains policy statements, resources regarding alcohol and drug prevention, health risks, and sanctions for violation of related policies.
| Policy | Access | Who receives? |
|---|---|---|
| Recognized Student Organizations Handbook | https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/student-organizations-handbook/ | Students involved in student organizations |
| McNeese Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy | https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/drug-and-alcohol-testing-policy/ | All state employees |
| McNeese Policy Awareness Acknowledgement Statement | https://www.mcneese.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/POLICY-ACKNOWLEDGMENT-STATEMENT-2.pdf | All employees, including student workers |
| Student Handbook/Code of Student Conduct | https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/student-handbook/ | All students |
| Student Rights and Responsibilities | https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/student-handbook/ and Academic Catalog | All students |
| Housing Regulations | Housing office on campus/Hoffpauir Management Company | All students who sign a lease with housing |
| University of Louisiana System PPM: Alcohol and Illegal Controlled Substances | https://ul-system.files.svdcdn.com/production/resources/board-members/PPMs/Chapter-II/S-II.XXVII_.-1-Alcohol-and-Illegal-Controlled-Substances.pdf?dm=1756837381 | Available to all |
It is the responsibility of every student and employee of McNeese State University to comply with all federal, state, local, institutional, and University of Louisiana System regulations regarding alcohol and other drug use.
McNeese complies with and upholds federal, state, and local laws that regulate or prohibit possession, use, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs.
The following is a summary of certain Louisiana laws:
The University maintains an amnesty program for the reporting of crimes that focuses upon the safety of victims first. Under the University’s amnesty program, the following persons reporting to McNeese officials will not be subject to conduct violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of sexual violence, or the seeking of assistance for severe intoxication of alcohol or drugs:
Refer to the Power-Based Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy for additional information.
The McNeese Counseling Center administers the CORE Institute’s National Drug and Alcohol Survey to students on a biennial basis. The survey data is used to understand the drug/alcohol rates for the McNeese campus and to inform future educational programming needs. Other data gathering surveys or tools may be used as needed.
Drug and substance abuse educational and prevention programs are offered through the Counseling Center and Student Health Services to foster a healthy campus community. Programs include screening events, awareness/educational tabling events, classroom presentations upon request, and professionally contracted speaking engagements available to the entire student body. Additionally, various other on- and off-campus resources are invited to collaborate on educational events for the campus community.
The University maintains an annual educational campaign for students and employees coordinated through the Office of Student Services, which consists of activities that include distribution of educational materials to new students; participating in and presenting information and materials during new employee orientation; and the delivery of ongoing awareness and educational programs to all employees and students throughout the year. The University offers the following primary alcohol and drug prevention and awareness programs for all incoming students:
| Program | Timeline | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Student Orientation | Fall & Spring semesters | Bulber Auditorium |
| Housing/Resident Student Orientation | Fall & Spring semesters | Bulber Auditorium |
| Campus Safety Month Wellness Wednesday |
1st week of September | Student Union |
| Homecoming Week Safety | October | Quad/Student Union |
| Mid-Semester Prevention (Pre-Mardi Gras Prevention) |
March | Quad/Student Union |
All University employees and students are responsible for adhering to the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy. Faculty and staff members who violate this policy are referred to the appropriate unit administrator. Students are referred to the dean of student support and advocacy for disciplinary action. The University president, chief operating officer, and other designees are the ultimate authorities responsible for enforcing this policy. Student employees may be held to the standards set for employees of the University.
The University will impose sanctions for violations of state and federal laws, Code of Student Conduct, and University policies. Violators may be punished by sanctions including referral to counseling and/or a designated rehabilitation program, referral for prosecution, expulsion, disciplinary action, and/or termination of employment.
This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.