State University of New York Institute of Technology
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College Policy on Drugs & Alcohol


Introduction and Table of Contents

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments require the Institute of Technology to adopt and put into effect a program to prevent the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol by students and employees on Institute property or in Institute facilities, or at Institute activities or events, and to offer an anti-drug and alcohol abuse program.

The State University of New York Institute of Technology is committed to maintaining an environment free of illegal drugs and drug and alcohol abuse. In compliance with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Institute does not tolerate the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession or use of controlled substances or alcoholic beverages on its premises, in its buildings, or at Institute-sponsored events. The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (effective 9/1/90) require the distribution of the following information to all students and employees. The following list reflects the major sections of this document:

College Policy on Drugs

Sale, use, possession or distribution of prohibited drugs or controlled substances, or loitering with intent to engage in these activities, is prohibited in college buildings or grounds and at college-sponsored events. The term "drug" covers all controlled substances as defined in Section 220.00 of the New York State Penal Law and the Marijuana Reform Act of 1977. Offenders are subject to college discipline, up to and including dismissal from the college or termination of employment, and referral for prosecution, independent of action taken by the civil authorities.

An employee convicted of any violation of the criminal drug statutes for activities in or on property owned or controlled by the Institute or at activities sponsored by the Institute must notify his or her Vice President or Dean of the conviction, in writing, within five calendar days of conviction. Student workers must notify the Office of Human Resources.

Obligations of the College
The Institute must notify the appropriate federal agency (e. g., Department of Education, National Science Foundation) of the conviction of any employee or student worker paid in whole or in part by agency funds within ten days of receipt of the notice of conviction. The Institute must also make a good faith effort to maintain a drug-free workplace, offer drug awareness education, assist students and employees seeking treatment or rehabilitation, notify employees and students of its policy, and implement and enforce the policy.
 
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College Policy on Alcohol

The sale, dispensation or consumption of alcoholic beverages is expressly prohibited on campus. Students may dispense and consume alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their own residence hall suites, subject to the requirements of the Residence Hall License (see license) and local and state law (see Local and State Law: Alcoholic Beverages section on next page). Possession, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all common areas outside the residents' suites.

Students
Compliance with the provisions of the Institute's drug and alcohol policies is a condition of attendance at the Institute. Violators of these policies are subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion from college and referral for prosecution, under the judicial procedures specified in the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order and the College Code of Conduct, or corrective action as the college deems appropriate, including satisfactory completion of an approved drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.

Employees
Compliance with the provisions of SUNYIT's drug and alcohol policies is a condition of employment. Violators are subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment and referral for prosecution, under the various negotiated agreements, or corrective action as the college deems appropriate, including satisfactory completion of an approved drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.

Student workers are subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment and referral for prosecution, under the procedures specified in the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order and the College Code of Conduct, or corrective action as the college deems appropriate, including satisfactory completion of an approved drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
 
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Local State and Federal Laws

Campus Open Container Policy
Permission to consume alcohol on Institute property must be requested specifically in writing and granted in writing from the official authorized by the President.

For the dispenser of alcoholic beverages, the following provisions of the New York State law pertain:

"Dram Shop" Law
It is a criminal offense to sell or give alcoholic beverages to a minor (under the age of 21). Anyone who serves a minor, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is liable for the minor's actions under the influence of alcohol. The law makes no distinction as to intent or efforts to determine legal age; the law simply asks whether the person who was served was of legal age and holds the server liable for damages.

Minimum Purchase Age
No person shall sell, deliver, give away, or cause, permit or procure to be sold, delivered, or given away, any alcoholic beverage to someone under or appearing to be under the age of 21 years. The dispenser is obligated to demand proof of legal age whenever in doubt. Violation of this law is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

Malicious Action
Anyone who knowingly supplies alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person or acts with malicious intent in supplying alcohol to another person is subject to civil suit for compensable damages and punitive damages if intoxication results in injury or damage.

For the consumer of alcoholic beverages, the following provisions of New York State law pertain:

False Identification
Anyone under the age of 21 years who presents false or fraudulent written identification in order to secure alcoholic beverages is guilty of a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of up to $100 and a community service requirement of 30 hours. Anyone under the age of 21 who presents an altered New York State driver's license for the purpose of illegally purchasing an alcoholic beverage may be subject to suspension of his or her driver's license for up to 90 days and may be required to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a restricted use license following the period of suspension.

Possession of Alcohol by a Minor
A minor can be arrested and fined up to $50 for possession of an alcoholic beverage with intent to consume it.

Drinking and Driving:
All states prohibit drinking and driving. In New York State, it is a misdemeanor to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.1% or higher (as little as three drinks in the first hour, and one per hour thereafter, depending on body weight), punishable by a fine of up to $350 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both, and suspension or revocation of the driver's license. A second conviction of driving while intoxicated is a felony punishable by up to four years in a state penitentiary.

Federal and State Law: Drug Offenses New York State Public Health Law It is a violation of the Public Health Law in New York to sell or possess a hypodermic needle without a doctor's permission, to grow marijuana or knowingly permit it to grow without destroying it (Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in a local penitentiary), or to manufacture, sell, or possess with intent to sell, an imitation controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor; second offense is a Class E felony punishable by a minimum of one year and maximum of four years in state prison). It is also a violation to inhale any glue that releases toxic vapors or fumes (Class A misdemeanor). A private vehicle, boat or plane that has been used to transport a controlled substance can be seized and forfeited under the law.

New York State Motor Vehicle Law The rules and penalties for drinking and driving also apply to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of illicit drugs.

New York State Penal Law The Penal Law lists the various controlled substances, specific offenses, and sanctions ranging from a fine of not more than $100 to imprisonment for life. It is a crime under New York State law to loiter with intent to use drugs, use or possess drug paraphernalia, and sell or possess controlled substances.

A person with no previous drug or marijuana convictions in three years who is found guilty of the possession of less than 25 grams (9/10 of an ounce) of marijuana for private use may be fined a maximum of $100. Conviction of possession of a gram or more of a controlled narcotic substance may result in imprisonment for up to a year. Criminal sanctions become more serious depending on the amount possessed and intent to distribute the substance. Possession of even one gram of a narcotic drug with intent to sell is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Conviction of the sale of more than two ounces of a controlled narcotic can result in life imprisonment.

Persons convicted of drug offenses in New York State may be sentenced to any of the following: conditional discharge that may include any amount or kind of community service that the court deems appropriate; probation; shock probation (a combination of 60 days jail time plus a maximum of three years probation); intermittent imprisonment, which may include weekdays or work Saturdays; or straight jail time.

Federal Law Federal drug laws parallel New York State drug laws in many respects. It is a federal offense to manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute, a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance. All property associated with the unlawful handling of controlled substances is subject to forfeit to federal authorities. Federal law also provides that a person aged 18 or older who distributes a controlled substance to anyone under the age of 21 may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of up to twice the amount authorized for distribution to a person over the age of 21.

Under federal law, a person convicted of any federal or state offense involving possession of a controlled substance is ineligible to receive any and all federal benefits (e. g., student loans, social security) for a period of up to one year. A person convicted of the distribution of a controlled substance may be ineligible for any or all federal benefits for up to five years.

There are both federal and state laws dealing with the distribution or manufacture of controlled substances in or near schools or colleges or universities. Federal law provides that a drug offense within 1,000 feet of college property is punishable by a term of imprisonment and a fine of up to twice the amount authorized for the same offense when it is committed away from college property.
 
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Counseling, Rehabilitation & Re-Entry Services

Students seeking counseling in college or referral to community services should call or visit the Counseling Office (792-7160), which is located in the Campus Center, Room 208.

Employees seeking counseling and referral to community services should seek assistance from the Employee Assistance Program. For information concerning this program, call the Office of Human Resources at 792-7191.

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Updated: January 6, 2003

 



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