Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Guide - NMU Police Department

• Encouraging a campus environment where healthful lifestyle choices are made by students, faculty and staff.
• Expecting acceptance of responsibility for one’s own choices and behavior.
• Striving to balance the rights of individuals and those of the university community.
• Encouraging chemical-free activities and supporting those who choose not to use alcohol and other drugs.
• Enforcing university, local and state codes, ordinances and statutes, which govern alcohol and other drug use.

The Northern Michigan University Student Handbook prohibits the use, possession, sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages by students in any building or on any property owned or controlled by NMU (except under terms and conditions established by the president or designee) and states that no student shall illegally possess, use or have under his/her control any other controlled substance in any building or on property owned or controlled by the University.

Failure to abide by these regulations may lead to any of the following sanctions:  (1) warning, (2) warning probation, (3) disciplinary probation, (4) suspension or (5) expulsion. Special conditions may be attached to the penalty including, but not limited to, parental notification of the violation and mandatory participation in an alcohol or other drug education program.

Northern Michigan University prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of any controlled substance or alcohol by employees of university-owned, used or controlled premises, except when possessed or used within the scope of the employee’s assigned duties and as authorized by law.

Any employee violating this policy will be subject to the following disciplinary actions up to and including discharge:  (1) verbal warning, (2) written reprimand, (3) suspension without pay, (4) discharge.  Disciplinary action may differ from one another depending on the terms set forth in the union contracts.

Furthermore, any employee providing alcohol to an underage student or controlled substance to a student, regardless of the setting, may be subject to the above disciplinary actions.

Regular use of alcohol and other drugs (including marijuana, stimulants, depressants, cocaine, anabolic steroids, opiates, hallucinogens) may lead to:

• psychological and/or physical dependence
• impaired learning ability, memory, ability to solve complex problems
• inability to perform sexually, infertility problems
• increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS)
• complications due to the combination of prescription medication and other drugs/alcohol
• death, coma or toxic reactions, especially when combining alcohol with any other drug, including over-the-counter medicine or prescriptions
• guilt/regret over activities performed while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, i.e., regretting sexual encounters, fighting, risk-taking, legal difficulties
• organic damage to brain, cardiovascular system, liver, etc.
• increased risk of cancer
• fetal Alcohol Syndrome, birth or genetic defects
• psychosis (hallucinations, loss of contact with reality, extreme changes in personality)
• other physiological, psychological or interpersonal problems

Northern Michigan University seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that both respects individual freedom and promotes the health, safety and welfare of all members of its community. In keeping with these objectives, the university has established a policy and guidelines governing the possession, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the university campus that conform to the laws of Michigan.

Underage possession and /or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on property owned or controlled by the university. Intentionally or knowingly selling, or intentionally or knowingly "furnishing" alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21, or to persons obviously inebriated, is not permitted on property owned or controlled by the university. Legal consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages is limited to designated locations only. The complete policy and guidelines concerning alcoholic beverages is published annually in the university Student Handbook.

Northern Michigan University does not condone the possession, use or distribution of marijuana, LSD or other hallucinogens, narcotics or any other illegal drugs by anyone in any campus facility or campus area. Any individual known to be possessing, using or distributing such drugs is subject to campus disciplinary action and criminal arrest, imprisonment and/or fine, according to state law.

Consistent with its educational mission, NMU also assists its members in finding alternatives to alcoholic beverages for promoting social interaction and stress reduction, and it provides services and resources for university community members who experience alcohol-related difficulties. Keeping informed is an important step in developing a healthy lifestyle and in knowing how to cope with problems as they arise. Northern provides useful and informative prevention education programs throughout the year. A variety of departments sponsor workshops and lectures on alcohol and drug-related issues to support and encourage healthy, productive lifestyles. To learn more about these programs, contact the NMU Health Center at (906) 227-2355