POLICY – ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY

Overview

Central College prohibits the illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs and alcohol and does not allow anyone to work, study, or participate in college activities while impaired. Alcohol is generally banned on campus (including housing) and at college events unless specifically permitted, and tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products are prohibited on college property. Violations may result in disciplinary action, legal consequences, or required rehabilitation, with support services available for students and employees.

Definitions

Illegal drugs: a substance or substances defined and regulated under the provisions of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Iowa Statutes, and includes but is not limited to CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, THC, hallucinogens, other illegal drugs such as PCP (angel dust) and cocaine or crack

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages: include, but are not limited to beer, “near-beer”/low-alcohol beer, and malt beverages; wine and low-alcohol wine; distilled spirits such as whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila; and liqueurs or fortified alcoholic beverages, that are consumed for non-medicinal purposes

On campus: any building, facility, grounds or other property owned, leased or controlled by Central College

Official college/campus business: activity by an employee or volunteer that occurs in the performance of, or in the course of, assigned duties of College employment or business.

College-sponsored off-campus events/functions/activities: include, but are not limited to, the following categories:  (a) Academic-related (e.g., class excursions, laboratory field work, service-learning, internship); (b) professional preparation and/or development (e.g., conference, training); (c) service-related (e.g., mission trip, Central Service Day); (d) social (e.g., student organization cookout at West Market Park; residence life bowling activity); (e) official representation of Central College (e.g., music, theatre, admission, athletic competition).

Responsibilities

Employees and Students: responsible to follow the policy and report any concerns about other employees or students who may be in violation of the policy.

Human Resources: send out this policy annually to employees to ensure awareness and compliance.

Policy Details

Central College, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 and its 1989 amendments establishes the following policy which is applicable to all students and employees as well as volunteers acting in an official capacity for the college.*

1. To ensure the safety and well-being of employees, volunteers, students, and the general public, the college is committed to maintaining a campus work and educational environment that is free of the illegal use of drugs and alcohol.
   1. The College prohibits its employees (including student workers) and volunteers from reporting to work or performing work for the college while impaired by, or under the influence of, illegal drugs, misused/abused prescription medication, or alcohol.
   2. The illegal use, possession, dispensation, distribution, manufacture or sale of alcohol, drugs and/or drug paraphernalia by an employee/volunteer in the workplace, on campus, or while the employee/volunteer is on duty or official college business; or by a student and/or a guest on campus or during any College-sponsored on-campus and off-campus activities is prohibited.  This policy includes the misuse/abuse of prescription medication.
2. No one may possess, use, manufacture, distribute, sell, trade and/or offer for sale, or auction alcoholic beverages on college property or at college-sponsored events except in accordance with the College’s State of Iowa liquor license, the College’s banquet permit/special event license procedure, or applicable college regulations.
   1. The on-campus use, possession, dispensation, distribution, manufacture or sale of alcohol by a student and/or a guest, regardless of age, is prohibited except as permitted by the Central College President for specific College-sponsored events/functions.
   2. Alcoholic beverages may not, under any circumstances, be used by, possessed by, consumed by, or distributed to any person under 21 years of age on campus or during any College-sponsored on-campus and off-campus activities.
   3. Alcohol is prohibited in any on campus or College-owned/managed residential housing unit for residents and guests.
   4. Items used for the purpose or promotion of high risk drinking (beer pong tables, beer bongs, etc.) are prohibited on campus.
3. Students and employees/volunteers of the college who violate the laws underlying this policy are subject to arrest and conviction under the applicable criminal laws of Pella, Marion County, the State of Iowa, and/or the United States.
   1. Federal law contains further prohibitions against the manufacture, possession with the intent to distribute, or distribution of controlled substances, including, but not limited to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant or stimulant substances.
   2. Iowa law prohibits the manufacture, delivery, possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver and possession of controlled substances. Local and state laws prohibit possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages outside of a residence or licensed liquor establishment. Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited for persons under the age of 21. Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is also prohibited.

The College recognizes all these regulations in its commitment to maintaining a healthy campus and workplace. The College recognizes that chemical dependency is a major threat to wholeness of personal health. The College is therefore committed to seeing that all its students and employees understand that: (a) the use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs can interfere physically, mentally, socially and spiritually with the ability to perform important functions (i.e., work performance, increased accidents, time lost for employees; and lower grades, reduced participation in College activities for students); (b) these drugs impair physical coordination and mental alertness and may damage the immune system, resulting in irreversible health problems and death; and (c) social behavior following use of alcohol or illegal drugs may be destructive to relationships.

Violations of the standards of conduct described in this policy may result in, among other things:

1. Disciplinary sanctions, up to and including dismissal/termination; and/or
2. A requirement to successfully complete a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and/or rehabilitation program.

Violators of this policy can also anticipate that the College may file a formal complaint with the legal authorities resulting in the appropriate legal sanctions, including monetary fines and/or imprisonment. Although the severity of the infraction will determine the nature of the College’s response, whenever possible the College will respond educationally rather than punitively to the illegal or improper use of drugs and/or alcohol by a survivor of sexual or relationship misconduct. The seriousness of sexual or relationship misconduct is a major concern and the College does not want any of the circumstances (e.g., drug or alcohol use) to inhibit the reporting of a violation of the Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy.

For students, the College Counseling Service provides evaluation and counseling for abuse of alcohol and drugs; see the Counseling Services webpage for information on how to schedule an appointment. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program; refer to the Human Resources page on myCentral for information about these services.

Students who have questions regarding this policy should contact the dean of students. Faculty should contact the dean of the faculty. Staff should contact their supervisor or human resources.

For students:

• More information on the effects of alcohol and drug use can be found here: Effects of Alcohol and Drug Use: Educational Information - Central360
• More information on recommended sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Policy Violations can be found here: Campus Conduct System (Recommended Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Policy Violations) 

* The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires organizations receiving certain federal grants or contracts to maintain a drug-free workplace and implement related employee awareness and compliance measures. The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance to adopt and implement programs to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. While these are distinct federal requirements, Central College adopts this policy as part of its commitment to comply with both.

The college’s alcohol and drug policy is distributed to the campus community each year through written notification via email. Residence life staff and orientation workers also lead sessions for students during the year which address college policy, individual decision making and ramifications of substance use/abuse on campus. Counseling services provides a wide variety of self-help information regarding alcohol and other drugs.

Last Revision Date: 6/11/2026

Policy Owner: Talent, Equity and Engagement Office