Discipline Related Policies and Procedures Drug Policies and Programs

The University attempts by various means to provide the University community with a basic knowledge and awareness of drug abuse, and to disseminate the results of current research on the effects of drug use. It continues to explore the availability of outside funding to support these additional activities in drug education, health, and rehabilitation, and its discipline and law enforcement.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The University actively encourages students to learn about the physiological, psychological, social, and legal implications of alcohol and drug use and abuse. To facilitate the students’ educational process, the University WAVE (Wellness, Alcohol, and Violence Education) program offers to students, programs concerning these issues that are delivered to classes and student groups across campus as well as through weekly outreach events. WAVE and the Student Health Center jointly sponsor National Alcohol Screening Day. Additionally WAVE frequently advertises in the Round Up and provides information for articles that are published through campus media. WAVE and the Counseling Center also provide the BASICs (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) program that assists individuals in examining their use, decisions, and consequences surrounding alcohol. A similar but abbreviated tool called E-CHUG is available on the WAVE website. WAVE is always interested in providing information across campus and can be reached at 646-2813.

To ensure that students receive the best help and information, involved personnel are encouraged to participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences to learn the latest approaches to drug education and the newest information available regarding alcohol/drug use and abuse.

Recognizing that the social environment changes rapidly, the University invites students to offer suggestions pertaining to their needs in the area of drug and alcohol education to the WAVE program coordinator.

DISCIPLINE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
The University recognizes that many behaviors are restricted by state and federal laws. The basic premise of University discipline is to provide regulations for students in keeping with the laws of the State of New Mexico and the United States of America as well as to maintain an environment maximally conducive to education. While the University does not normally take disciplinary action for off-campus violations, it retains the right to act in special cases.

With reference to drug violations, an individual apprehended for drug abuse off-campus is subject to civil proceedings and is not usually addressed through the University discipline system unless the off-campus actions impact the campus community. As a property owner, the University has the right to prohibit behaviors on that property that may not be restricted in other environments. This is especially relevant for housing regulations. Students who reside on University property, by doing so, consent to University housing regulations. As long as they reside in University housing, they are subject to University discipline.

1. Amnesty
   Any student drug user who, prior to apprehension, voluntarily directs a request for rehabilitation to any University official, including the University Police, will be referred to the proper rehabilitation agency or medical authorities. The case will be kept strictly confidential, and no disciplinary or criminal action will be taken as long as the student upholds the agreement for rehabilitation and refrains from any other possession or use of illegal substances on-campus.
2. Penalties for Drug Violation
   1. First offense for usage, possession, or accessory to a drug violation.
      1. If found guilty, or guilt is admitted (not relating to amnesty as defined above) for a violation of a law of the State of New Mexico or University regulation relating to one ounce or less of marijuana, the penalty may be as much as disciplinary probation or suspension.
      2. If found guilty, or guilt is admitted (not relating to amnesty as defined above) for violation of a law of the State of New Mexico or University regulation relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana (over one ounce), depressants, or other illegal drugs, the penalty may be as much as disciplinary suspension, dismissal, or expulsion.
   2. If guilt is proven or admitted for selling, processing, delivering, compounding, or dispensing in any manner marijuana or any other dangerous narcotic, depressant, stimulant or hallucinogenic drugs, the student will be subject to penalties up to and including expulsion on the first offense.
   3. A student who admits guilt, or is found guilty of a second drug offense, may be subject to penalties up to and including expulsion.
   4. Any student who has been suspended or dismissed for drug violations, and has evidence of successful rehabilitation, may petition for readmission to the University upon recommendation from relevant psychological or psychiatric professionals.
3. Exclusion from Campus
   Students suspended, dismissed or expelled from the University for drug violations, or those convicted of drug violations off-campus who persist in returning onto campus, will be subject to such legal procedures as deemed necessary to bar such entry, when probable cause of further violations of University regulations can be shown.