2020-2022 Biennial Review

Introduction to the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act (DFSCA)

The DFSCA requires every institution of higher education, receiving federal funds, to conduct a Biennial Review of all alcohol and other drug prevention programs. Each institution of higher education must enact policies for preventing the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs by students and employees. Failure to comply puts the institution’s federal funding, including financial aid, at risk (34 CFR Section 86.1 and 20. U.S.C. § 1145g.).

The law further requires institutions of higher education to review AOD programs to determine their effectiveness and implement any needed changes, as well as ensure that sanctions for violating the institution’s policies and procedures regarding AOD are consistently enforced.

The Biennial Review is a great opportunity for the University to reflect on its successes in programming and determine where improvements can be made. The Review allows our campuses to strengthen and maintain our efforts to address AOD use.

In order to remain in compliance with the regulations set forth under the DFSCA the university is required to do the following:

1. Prepare a written policy on alcohol and other drugs.

2. Develop a sound method for distribution of the policy to every student and staff member each year.

3. Prepare a Biennial Review report on the effectiveness of its AOD programs and the consistency of policy enforcement.

4. Maintain its Biennial Review report on file so that, if requested to do so by the U.S. Department of Education, the campus can submit it.

The Biennial Review Process

At the University of North Georgia (UNG), the Campus Recreation and Wellness, division of Wellness and Health Promotion is responsible for coordinating the Biennial Review process. Due to a large amount of turnover in the past two years, the review committee has adopted several new members. The Review Team discussed and adopted new operating procedures to streamline the review process and to meet expectations in a timely manner. The Review Team has completed its biennial review of data, surveys, programming and departmental feedback to determine the University’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as provide recommendations for improvement.

This Biennial Review considered the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Members of the Biennial Review team included:

• Meri-Leigh Smith - Associate Director, Wellness and Health Promotion

• Dr. Richelle Keilholz - Assistant Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Integrity

• David Michener – Director, Student Involvement

• Daija Freeman - Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services

• Charlotte Wade – Chief Compliance Officer

• Brooke Smith - Assistant Director and Clery Compliance Officer

• CORPS of Cadets – Vacant

• Residence Life – Treva Smith, Director Residence Life

• UNG Police - Jeremy Weiner, Detective, Badge #139

AOD Drug Trend Data (2017-2021)

UNG has utilized the AlcoholEdu for College program as the main assessment tool to collect AOD data. The AlcoholEdu for College program allows us to consistently track AOD trends, while reinforcing healthy decisions and promoting positive attitudes and behaviors. The AlcoholEdu for College program transferred vendors to Vector Solutions at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. Data reports did not align so some benchmarking data from the previous review was removed, as no comparative data was available.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HISTORICAL DATA

*The lack of data for the year 2020, in the above charts, is directly related to the removal of the student requirement to complete AlcoholEdu during the onset of the COVID pandemic.

Social Ecological Framework Addressing AOD Use

Individual - Attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge

Current Efforts

Alcohol You Later

Intended Outcome

Understand the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol by simulating real life situations and engaging in conversations on safe alternatives to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Responsible Department

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Alcohol Trivia Nights

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week

Safe Spring Break Week

Understand the responsibilities associated with consuming alcohol and increase students understanding on what constitutes a drink, dangers of driving under the influence, and legal requirements to consume alcohol.

Increase student awareness of the severity and susceptibility of overconsumption of alcohol use while using methods to calculate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), standard drink sizes, identifying signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning and avoiding risky behaviors.

Increase student awareness of the severity and susceptibility of overconsumption of alcohol use while using methods to calculate BAC, standard drink sizes, identifying signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning and avoiding risky behaviors.

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Campus Recreation and Wellness, Public Safety

DUI Simulator

Understand the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol by simulating real life situations and engaging in conversations on safe alternatives to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Campus Recreation and Wellness

BASICS

Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students is an evidenced based program provided to students in a oneon-one setting to discuss their personal risk-factors associated with AOD use and how to reduce them. This training is provided upon request or as mandated by Student Conduct. Success is measured by CCAPS-34 results and outreach evaluation.

Student Counseling

Student Health Services Intake

Procedures

Student Health Services intake questionnaire collects information regarding alcohol/drugs upon arrival (on chart)any issues are discussed with the provider and the student/patient is then given multiple resources for further evaluation and potential therapy or treatment. Discharge papers for patients also indicate no alcohol use while taking medications and as well as pharmacy labels on medications are provided. This information is reviewed at each visit.

Student Health Services

Department of Public Safety Alcohol Education Classes

The Department of Public Safety offers educational classes upon request to organizations. These classes include alcohol/drug awareness and a legal/policy train-the-trainer class to military cadre. Specific examples include: Dunk While Drunk, Standardized Field Sobriety Test Simulations, and Tabling Events. Quantitative data is informally collected to determine program success.

Public Safety

Residence Life

Alcohol and Bystander Intervention

Residence Life requires each of its 67 resident assistants to present programs on Alcohol or Bystander Intervention annually in October and programs on Safe Spring Break or Bystander Intervention annually in March. Qualitative data is collected for each program via Skyfactor.

Residence Life

Current

Residence Life RA

Duties

Individual - Attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge (cont.)

Residence Life requires each RA to complete an intentional conversation with each of their residents annually in September and January. Topics of conversation include a variety of topics including student's adjustment to campus life, academics, mental health, and substance use.

Residence Life

Public Safety Education

Public Safety provides educational classes upon request to organizations. These classes include alcohol/drug awareness and a legal/policy train-the-trainer class to military cadre. The Department of Public Safety also partners with Residence Life to conduct presentations and trainings, such as to Resident Assistants in which officers train RA’s to recognize signs of possible drug activity in the residence halls.

Department of Public Safety

USG Employee Assistance Program

Sexual Misconduct Training

Campus Safety Awareness Month

The University System of Georgia partners with KEPRO to provide employees and their household family members with a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Services are confidential at no cost.

During presentations on sexual misconduct, a discussion is had on what incapacitation is. This includes how alcohol and drugs can affect the ability to consent to sexual activities.

Multiple departments work together to provide a one day event on staying safe, including alcohol and other drug education.

Human Resources

Title IX

Office of Compliance, Office of Student Integrity, UNG DPS, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Title IX

GROUP - Norms, communication, and relationships of groups and/or social networks

HawkEm' 101

The mission of the HawkEm’ 101 Program is to assist in the transition of freshman student-athletes by developing positive mentor and mentee relationships; educating student-athletes on institutional policies; and increasing awareness and education on topics that will help student-athletes to promote personal health and wellness.

Risk Reduction Education Risk Reduction Education - advisors and chapter officers provided annually.

Ladder of Risk

Student Involvement

Ladder of Risk - chapter officers (ie. President, social chair, risk management, new member educator) provided on an annual basis.

It is the norm for the Student Government Association and Nighthawks Entertainment Board to only plan alcohol free events.

OSI Pillar I (Blue) In OSI Pillar I (Blue) training provides virtual training on hazing, alcohol, and no drugs at events or meetings.

Multicultural Student Affairs

It is the norm for MSA to only plan alcohol free events.

Student Involvement

Student Involvement

Orientation Leaders

Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transition (NEST) has a zero tolerance policy on all drug usage (excluding prescription and over the counter drugs taken as prescribed/intended). This language is included in the Orientation Contract students review and sign at the start of their employment.

Student Counseling

The Scope of Practice document for Student Counseling notes that they provide clinical services for some types of substance abuse but more severe substance abuse is referred out for specialty or more intensive services than can be provided in student counseling. Student Counseling does track when AOD is a primary diagnosis.

Student Counseling

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) operates under the policies of UNG and all local, state and federal laws. In addition, they are governed by Interfraternity Council (IFC) Constitution and Bylaws and Panhellenic Bylaws to further define acceptable behavior as it relates to alcohol and other drugs. IFC Constitution - pertinent sections: Section IV (I, M, N, O, P, W, S); IFC Bylaws - pertinent Articles V, VI,VII, X, XI; Panhellenic Bylaws - Article VIII

CORPS of Cadets

RESPECT 1101

Holmes Murphy

Fraternal PracticeEvent Planning Guide

During all cadet training events (ie-Cadet Basic Leadership Course, Pre-Command Course, Commandant Welcome Back), cadets are trained to not drink and drive, bring alcohol in the dorms and do not give alcohol to a minor.

Cadet Basic Leadership Course, Pre-Command Course, includes education on AOD.

The Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice - Event Planning Guide is a resource used, by FSL, to rescue the risk associated with alcohol in a social environment.

CORPS of Cadets

CORPS of Cadets

FSL

IFC and Panhellenic Training

Panhellenic and IFC educate the delegates from every chapter on their rules and policies on an annual basis. The Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life educates the advisors, chapter presidents, social chairs, and other pertinent officers on the University policies, such as the Events with Alcohol Policy, on an annual basis. All student orgs have access to these policies through UNG Connect. All policies that apply to IFC and Panhellenic organizations, members have access to documents that govern their chapters (i.e. IFC bylaws/Panhellenic Bylaws) through UNG Connect.

Every new member must complete new member 101 within their first 4 weeks of membership. This includes bystander intervention training and Alcohol Skills Training Program.

FSL

The Annual Security Report, which identifies the number of AOD violations and education, is distributed via email to every student, faculty and staff member by October 1 of each year. This is also published on our website in multiple locations.

The Office of Compliance provides annual CSA training to report alcohol or drug incidents.

University Compliance

NEST

FSL

INSTITUTION - Messages and cultures within the entire institution (cont.)

Current Efforts Intended Outcome

Bystander Intervention

AlcoholEdu for College

Increase the tools and confidence students have to intervene in situations where peers may have consumed too much alcohol to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Utilized as the main assessment tool to collect AOD data. The AlcoholEdu for College program allows the University to consistently track AOD trends, while reinforcing healthy decisions and promoting positive attitudes and behaviors. This tool is mandatory for all incoming freshman and transfer students during the first semester of attendance.

Responsible Department

Campus Recreation and Wellness, Title IX

Deans of Students

Lead By Choice

Orientation

JED Steering Committee

Daily Crime Logs

See Something, Say Something

Lead By Choice is the slogan for the Alcohol Education Program at UNG. This slogan emerged as a result of an NCAA CHOICES grant to promote alcohol safety on campuses.

The Department of Public Safety explains to students during orientation common laws we enforce on campus, such as possession of alcohol by minors.

The JED Steering Committee is comprised of university representatives with the purpose of working to strengthen identified weaknesses surrounding mental health programming, many which include alcohol and other drugs.

Information is made available to the public through Clery Law adherence and the publishing of daily crime logs.

"See Something, Say Something" is an online reporting portal where students can submit concerns about potentially dangerous activity on campus.

COMMUNITY - Off campus organizations, activities,

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Department of Public Safety

Student Counseling

Department of Public Safety

Department of Public Safety, Dean of Students Office

One LoveEscalation

Governor's Office of Highway Safety

Northeast Georgia Health System

Multiple Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Multiple Rehab Programs

TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership

3rd Millennium

Escalation is video based workshop, sponsored by the One Love Foundation that focuses on dating violence and references the role alcohol plays in dating violence.

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety provides funding to provide education addressing highway safety with an emphasis on alcohol and other drugs.

Northeast Georgia Health System provides funding to Campus Recreation and Wellness to address substance safety and injury prevention.

The Department of Public Safety partners with surrounding law enforcement agencies to help enforce laws surrounding drugs and alcohol

Counseling refers to community treatment programs on an as needed basis.

An online ethical awareness course (w/ guided mentorship). This course is a sanction is often used by Office of Student Integrity when working with alcohol and/or drug violations.

A third party course related to drugs and alcohol used as a sanction for drug and alcohol violations.

Athletics, FSL, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Title IX

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Department of Public Safety

Student Counseling

Office of Student Integrity

Office of Student Integrity

Current

UNG Substance Abuse Policy

POLICY AND LAW - Rules, policies, and laws that govern the environment

The University of North Georgia's Substance Abuse Policy expressly prohibits the use, possession, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages on campus by any campus constituency. The applicable information regarding UNG's Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements is also contained in this policy.

Student Code of Conduct

The University of North Georgia (the “University”) strives to educate Students and develop leaders who are prepared for community, state, and global service. Consistent with University System of Georgia policies, the University has created a Student Code of Conduct that seeks to protect the safety, rights, and privileges afforded to Students and other members of the community. Essential to this purpose, Students are expected to be model citizens and their actions and behavior should reflect the core values of the University. Students are expected to adhere to national, state, and local laws; respect the rights and privileges of others; be forthright and honest in all their social and academic conduct; and in general, conduct themselves in a manner which brings credit to themselves and the University. Full Policy Link: https://policy.ung.edu/policy/student-code-ofconduct (Note: The link provided reflects the *NEW Student Code of Conduct policy, which has been updated, but is not reflected in this review since it did not fall within the review period.)

Office of Student Integrity

Hazing Policy

The University is dedicated to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In addition, the University is committed to cultivating a community that fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all its members. As such, the University does not tolerate hazing. No RSO, group, team, chapter, colony, student, faculty, staff member or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing. Revised January 2021. Full Policy Link: https://policy.ung.edu/policy/hazing

VP Student Affairs

Amnesty Policy

This policy provides amnesty for potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct for Students under certain circumstances at the UNG. Students are encouraged to make responsible decisions and to seek medical attention in serious or life-threatening situations that result from the consumption of alcohol or other drugs. Full Policy Link: https://policy.ung.edu/policy/amnesty-for-students

Office of Student Integrity

Events with Alcohol Guidelines

Student organizations sponsoring functions off campus where alcoholic beverages will be permitted must register said event with the Office of Student Involvement at least one week in advance. The individual(s) responsible for the event and the advisor will sign a statement indicating an understanding of State Laws regarding service of alcoholic beverages, legal liabilities for irresponsible service, and care of an intoxicated person. The complete procedures can be found in the Student Organization Manual.

Office of Student Integrity, FSL

UNG HR

POLICY AND LAW - Rules, policies, and laws that govern the environment (cont.)

Current Efforts

Intended Outcome

Sexual Misconduct Policy

A student may request amnesty from disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct related to alcohol or drug use when reporting an incident of sexual misconduct to University officials and the incident occurred while the student was using alcohol or drugs. Nothing in this amnesty provision shall prevent an institution staff member who is otherwise obligated by law (the Clery Act) to report information or statistical data as required. Full Policy Link: https://northgeorgia.policystat.com/policy/10385370/latest/.

The University of North Georgia prohibits the consumption, possession or transportation of alcoholic beverages by any person under legal age; and furnishing and/or distributing alcoholic beverages to any student under legal age.

Responsible Department

Title IX

Jeanne Clery Act Compliance Policy

The University of North Georgia prohibits the possession, use (without valid medical or dental prescription), manufacture, furnishing, or sale of any narcotic or dangerous drug controlled by federal or Georgia law; possession of drug paraphernalia; and being under the influence of a narcotic or other controlled substance except as permitted by law or valid medical prescription.

Programming is provided by multiple departments across all campuses. This is assessed during the biennial review process.

University Compliance

Facilities Use Policy

Certain restrictions must be imposed on users of University Facilities to protect the University’s primary functions, public image, institutional integrity and tax-exempt status. Those that reference alcohol and other drugs include: Food and beverages are available through the approved vendor and must be consistent with the University Alcohol Policy. Full Policy Link: https://policy.ung.edu/policy/facilities-use

Sr. VP for Business and Finance

Residence Policy

Full-time Students who are accepted on the Dahlonega campus of UNG and who have not earned 60 semester hours or lived four semesters in University housing must live on campus. Full Policy Link: https://ung.edu/residencelife/handbook/residence-policy.php

Residence Life

UNG Athletic Department Drug Testing Policy

The mission of this drug testing policy includes education, screening, counseling, and sanctions to: (1) help studentathletes avoid improper involvement with drugs by insuring that they are well informed about drugs and drug abuse, (2) detect possible prohibited drug use through a screening program based on testing designed to reveal the use of drugs, (3) assist in the counseling and rehabilitation of studentathletes found to be misusing drugs, and (4) disassociate from our athletic programs any person who is engaged in improper use of drugs and does not respond to rehabilitation efforts; while promoting the University’s mission of academic excellence.

Athletics

Athletic Department

Alcohol and Tobacco Policy

Corps of Cadets Blue Book

UNG HR Substance Abuse Policy

The student athlete's sign off on reading the student-athlete handbook on a yearly basis. The handbook includes information on the alcohol, tobacco and drug policies. Full Policy is included in the appendix. Athletics

Members of the Corps of Cadets are students first and therefore must always comply with the Student Code of Conduct administered by the Office of Student Integrity. Full Blue Book Link: https://ung.edu/international-student-scholar-services/_uploads/files/2018-bluebook.pdf

The University of North Georgia's Substance Abuse Policy expressly prohibits the use, possession, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages on campus by any campus constituency. The applicable information regarding UNG's drug and alcohol testing requirements is also contained in this policy. Full Policy Link: https://ung.edu/humanresources/_uploads/files/Employee-Handbook.pdf?t=1611160011501

Corps of Cadets

Human Resources

Official Code of Georgia

Annotated (Departmen t of Public Safety)

OCGA: 3-3-23: Furnishing to, purchase of, or possession by persons under 21 years of age of alcoholic beverages; 40-5-125: Fraudulent driver's license or identification card; 16-9-4: Fraudulent driver's license or identification card; 16-11-41: Public drunkenness; 40-6-391: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances; All of Chapter 13 of OCGA: Controlled Substances. OCGA 45-20-90 is referenced in the drug and alcohol testing of employees for safety-sensitive job functions including any UNG employee needing a CDL or any Sworn officer. This law requires controlled substance and alcohol testing for preemployment, post-accident, random, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty. and follow up circumstances. Controlled substances, alcohol, and prescription medications are covered in this policy.

Department of Public Safety Department

3.1 Personnel Issues

Orientation Leaders Contract Clause

Residence Life Addendum

Policy 3-1: Personnel Issues refers specifically to drug use policy in the department. No person that has been convicted of a drug-related offense within the past 7 years, convicted of a felony (often scheduled drugs such as methamphetamine are felony charges), or unable to pass a drug screen will be employed under the University of North Georgia Department of Public Safety. Employees are also subject to random drug testing and must pass the screening cleanly to remain employed.

Orientation Leaders have to be in good conduct standing and have a clause in their contract pertaining to not using drugs - _ I understand that the UNG aggressively promotes and requires a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of illegal drugs by University employees is prohibited.

Alcohol and drug paraphernalia is prohibited in the residence halls. Failure to follow this policy will result in immediate referral for disciplinary action in reference to the Student Code of Conduct. Students receive this information annually via a link emailed to students with their housing assignment.

Department of Public Safety

Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transition (NEST)

Residence Life

4.6.4

Alcohol and Drugs on Campus

In accordance with Georgia laws governing the manufacture, sale, use, distribution, and possession of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs on college campuses and elsewhere, including the Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990, the Board of Regents encourages its institutions to adopt programs designed to increase awareness of the dangers involved in the use of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other illegal or dangerous drugs by University System of Georgia (USG) students and employees. Such programs shall stress individual responsibility related to the use of alcohol and drugs on and off the campus. Full Policy Link: https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section4/C332/#p4.6.4_alcohol_and_drugs_on_campu s

Office of Student Integrity

Board of Regents Policy Manual

POLICY AND LAW - Rules, policies, and laws that govern the environment (cont.)

Current Efforts Intended Outcome

Student Code of Conduct

The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus, or at open events sponsored by the University is prohibited. Each student is liable for their actions at all times regardless of his/her mental state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages. Events with Alcohol: • Student organizations sponsoring functions off campus where alcoholic beverages will be permitted must register said event with the Office of Student Involvement at least one week in advance. The individual(s) responsible for the event and the advisor will sign a statement indicating an understanding of State Laws regarding service of alcoholic beverages, legal liabilities for irresponsible service, and care of an intoxicated person. The complete policy can be found in the Student Organization Manual. (Note: The link provided reflects the *NEW Student Code of Conduct policy, which has been updated, but is not reflected in this review since it did not fall within the review period.)

Student Involvement

Student Integrity

Sanctioning Model

In determining the severity of the sanctions or corrective actions, the following will be considered: the frequency, severity, and/or nature of the offense, history of past conduct; the respondent’s willingness to accept responsibility; previous University response to similar conduct; the strength of the evidence; and the well-being of the University community. The Administrative Hearing Officer, or the Panels, will determine sanctions and issue the decision. The model is listed in more detail below in the “University Student Sanctions” portion of the AOD Biennial Review.

Evaluation Methods

AlcoholEdu for College

AlcoholEdu for College serves as a means of assessing the alcohol-related attitudes, experiences, and behaviors of students through a series of questions, followed by educational sessions.

Annual Security Report

The Office of University Compliance produces an Annual Security Report each year which includes statistics about alcohol and drug cases from the previous years, including arrests for drug abuse and liquor law violations and disciplinary actions resulting from said violations.

Office of Student Integrity Sanction Data

The Office of Student Integrity collects data on the number and assignment of sanctions issued to students in violation of alcohol and other drug policies and procedures.

Individual Departments

Individual departments report collecting data through processes such as event attendance, qualitative feedback, and surveys.

Office of Student Integrity

Distribution of AOD Policies to Students, Faculty, and Staff

The AOD Annual Notification will include standards of conduct, applicable federal, state, local and institutional sanctions; descriptions of short and long-term health risks; and a list of alcohol and substance use prevention and support resources available to students and employees. This notification will be sent from the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs after roll verification each academic semester (Fall, Spring, Summer).

Employees

In addition to the annual notification each UNG employee will be provided with the annual notification document during new hire employee orientation.

All UNG Policies can be found on UNG PolicyStat. All UNG students, faculty and staff have access to policies via their provided university secure login. (north georgia.policystat.com)

The following are additional publications available on the university website:

Student Handbook

https://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/student-handbook/UNG-StudentHandbook.pdf?t=1611610953023

Employee Handbook

https://ung.edu/human-resources/_uploads/files/Employee-Handbook.pdf?t=1611610915781

Student Organization Manual

https://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/student-organizationmanual.pdf?t=1611609165219

UNG Athletics

https://ungathletics.com/documents/2021/1/7//drug_policy_2020_2021_website.pdf

Residence Life

https://ung.edu/residence-life/handbook/policies-procedures.php

Department of Public Safety SOPs

https://static1.campusgroups.com/upload/ung/2021/doc_808861_SOP_31_b_Personnel_Issues _29747d6a-efd6-4d61-8f21-96e36ce20d0f_119173820.pdf

University Student Sanctions

In determining the severity of the sanctions or corrective actions, the following will be considered: the frequency, severity, and/or nature of the offense, history of past conduct; the respondent’s willingness to accept responsibility; previous University response to similar conduct; the strength of the evidence; and the well-being of the University community. The Administrative Hearing Officer, or the Panels, will determine sanctions and issue the decision.

The purpose of the Student Integrity Sanctioning Model at the University of North Georgia is to allow decision-making bodies the opportunity to apply appropriate sanctions if a finding of responsibility is made. Student integrity violations vary in each situation and require a detailed analysis of the incident. Sanctioning decisions will always be made based on case-specific information and each student will be granted a fair and individualized experience. This sanctioning model was developed in the fall of 2022 in order to provide a more individualized experience to all students. These guidelines, drafted by the Office of Student Integrity, are provided to Student Conduct Hearing Panelists, Residence Life Staff, and are utilized by hearing officers as part of the normative conduct review process. These guidelines are reviewed annually by Office of Student Integrity staff and are adjusted based on precedent, campus climate, and other factors relevant to insuring a consistent, fair, and equitable application of sanctions and are included in the appendices. All student conduct violations will be evaluated based on the following scale: minimum/intermediate, elevated, or maximum.

Alcohol Policy Violations: Students who violate the UNG Alcohol Policy may be subject to the following sanctions, as well as possible additional sanctions. The following list is not exhaustive and a student does not have to progress from one level to the next (in order). The incident levels are not a progression, as a student’s violation may fall within any of these levels.

1. Minimum/Intermediate – Violations may include (but are not limited to) possession of empty alcohol containers, single alcohol container, or small amount of alcoholic beverages.

1. Potential Sanctions: Written Warning to Conduct Probation (up to one year), AlcoholEdu, reflection essay, community service, BASICS with reflection paper, and parental notification.

2. Elevated – Violations may include (but are not limited to) disruptive or disorderly behavior caused by alcohol consumption, playing a drinking game where alcohol is being consumed and/or visible, DUI/DWI, substantial amount of alcohol, hosting a party where alcohol is present, student being transported due to alcohol consumption, or prior history of alcohol violations.

1. Potential Sanctions: Extended Conduct Probation (one plus years) to Suspension, removal from University Housing, substance abuse evaluation, reflection essay, community service, and parental notification.

3. Maximum – Violations may include (but are not limited to) any alcohol-related incident that is more severe in nature and bypasses the elevated level on the model.

1. Potential Sanctions: Suspension to Expulsion, parental notification, and any additional measures to ensure the safety of the student and the campus community.

Drug Policy Violations: Students who violate the UNG Drug Policy may be subject to the following sanctions, as well as possible additional sanctions. The following list is not exhaustive and a student does not have to progress from one level to the next (in order). The incident levels are not a progression, as a student’s violation may fall within any of these levels.

1. Minimum/Intermediate – Violations may include (but are not limited to) smell/smoke of marijuana, residue/ash of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, possession/use of under 1oz of marijuana.

1. Potential Sanctions: Conduct Probation for up to two years, designated substance course, educational/reflective sanctioning, possible loss of University Housing privileges.

2. Elevated – Violations may include (but are not limited to) multiple drug violations, disorderly conduct associated with drug use, hosting a large gathering where drugs are present and/or utilized, selling/distribution of drugs, student being transported to hospital or needing medical attention due to drug consumption.

1. Potential Sanctions: Suspension for one year or more, completion of substance abuse evaluation/assessment, educational/reflective sanctioning.

3. Maximum – Violations may include (but are not limited to) any drug-related incident that is more severe in nature and bypasses the elevated level on the model. This may include prescription drug use and the selling/manufacturing of any illegal substance.

1. Potential Sanctions: Suspension to Expulsion, parental notification, and any additional measures to ensure the safety of the student and the campus community.

CORPS of Cadets Policy Violations: If a Cadet has an alcohol or other drugs violation, they will be punished with Corps punishment and if the university elects to pursue, they will be sanctioned by the UNG Student Code of Conduct. Corps punishment will be a charge of Conduct Unbecoming of a Cadet (CUAC). Punishment will consist of demerits, room arrest, campus restriction and if they have rank, they will lose their rank.

IFC and Panhellenic Bylaw Sanctions: Each council has a judicial board that hold chapters accountable for violating IFC and Panhellenic bylaws.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONDUCT CASES

Note: Only AOD-specific educational sanctions are represented in these reports.

University Employee Sanctions

The adherence to University policies on alcohol and drugs shall be the individual and personal responsibility of each employee of the University. Any employee who violates the policy on substance abuse shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination from the University.

Sanctions addressing controlled substance and alcohol testing, including penalties for positive test results, can be found in the Employee Handbook. The Staff Grievance Procedure is available to any classified employee or administrative officer working at least .50 FTE (full-time equivalency) who has completed the provisional employment period. The complete list of disciplinary action can be found.

Strengths

UNG has a Code of Conduct for students that is applied at the institutional level. This policy is upheld in every department as the gold standard to which students are held accountable for alcohol and other drug offenses. Furthermore, many departments have additional policies or guidelines that help guide students towards acceptable behavior to keep themselves and others safe.

UNG offers many programs that address students’ knowledge, beliefs and attitudes through individualized programs, group norms/climates and outside partnerships that serve to enhance students experience on and off campus. Departments share a sense of responsibility and understanding on the process violations are required to flow through. They work together to offer sanctions that are appropriate for the action and that are catered to each individual offender, in order to educate and build knowledge to prevent future discrepancies.

The AOD Biennial Review Committee would like to note that UNG is in the process of revising several student and employee alcohol and other drug policies and procedures that govern the educational environment and promotes the health and safety of the whole campus community. These policies are in the University approval process and have not been fully enacted, so therefore are not included as part of this Biennial Review.

Weaknesses

Through the review process, it has been determined that the need for comparative data that assesses the whole student body is needed to better track trends, set learning outcomes, and guide programming decisions. It is evident there is not a comprehensive method for evaluation. Though most departments are collecting data, it is not descriptive enough to ascertain the success of the programming and the impact it is having on student reduction of use or growth of knowledge in the areas of alcohol and other drugs.

Through the review process, it was determined that while policies are accessible at any time to students, faculty and staff, since the student handbook has moved to a digital form, distribution methods need to be reevaluated and the distribution process strengthened. New distribution processes were put into place following the last review, but due to high turnover in staff, this was not done consistently.

Through the review process, it was determined that there are several policies that are utilized for the university, but haven’t been fully adopted as policies in the University’s policy database. While it is noted that this process has started on many needed policies, the review committee will reevaluate this during the next review period and make recommendations for follow-up.

Future Recommendations

The AOD Biennial Review Committee has evaluated the information in this report and taken into consideration the weaknesses the university may improve upon and compiled the following recommendations to be implemented during the next review period.

1. To strengthen comparative data that assesses the whole student body to better track trends, set learning outcomes, and guide programming decisions, the review committee recommends UNG adopt the National College Health Assessment as a measurement tool to assess alcohol and drug trends.

2. Create AOD Annual Notification document for students and employees that includes: drug and alcohol programming (substance use services, prevention, education and support), health risk associated with drug and alcohol misuse, alcohol and other drug policies, student and employee sanctions regarding drug and alcohol use, and federal and state sanctions.

3. Create procedures for AOD Annual Notification for students and employees to be administered by the VP Student Affairs.

4. To complete a University Needs Assessment to capture the wellbeing needs and priorities of UNG students. This will provide the priorities for addressing alcohol and drug use with educational programming. Once priorities are established the committee recommends that a list of University accepted learning outcomes and appropriate assessment strategies be established.

5. To increase the clarity of the University’s position on alcohol and other drugs and expectations of students, faculty, staff and visitors the University Alcohol Policy should be adopted as an official policy in the policy database.

6. To increase access to AOD resources the committee recommends that the University create a centralized digital platform and provide interactive tools that connect students with realtime resources.

Dr. Michael P. Shannon, Ph.D. Date President

Dr. Alyson Paul, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs

Certificate Of Completion

Envelope Id: 02290CAEC23046438B88711D21B1D3CC

Subject: Complete with DocuSign: 2020-22 AOD Biennial Review FINAL.pdf

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Status: Original 10/2/2023 8:53:35 AM

Holder: Shannon Shockley shannon.shockley@ung.edu

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Michael Shannon michael.shannon@ung.edu

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Shannon Shockley

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