POLICY STATEMENT

The unlawful possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcohol by students or employees on NSC premises or as part of any College activity is prohibited.  The legal age for drinking alcohol in Nevada is 21. Any student or employee who violates underage drinking laws on campus may be subject to citation, arrest and/or referral for disciplinary action.

NSC is a drug free campus and the unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs or other controlled substances on the College premises or as part of any College activity is illegal and is strictly prohibited. Any student or employee who violates federal or state law or College policy regarding the manufacture, use or possession of illegal drugs may be subject to citation, arrest, and/or referral for disciplinary action.

PROCEDURES

I. Drug Free Schools and Communities

Nevada State College has joined other colleges and universities across the nation in encouraging the elimination of alcohol and other drug abuse on our campus and in our community. This policy supports the belief that the unlawful possession or use of drugs, including alcohol, and the abuse of alcohol and any drug by students constitutes a grave threat to their physical and mental well-being, and significantly impedes the processes of learning and personal development. While the majority of adults who drink alcohol do so in an acceptable and responsible manner, there is a substantial number who misuse and abuse alcohol, with resulting problems in health, academic, and vocational performance, social and personal relationships, and financial and legal areas.

 II. Alcoholic Beverages

1. In compliance with state law, no student may possess or consume alcohol if under 21 years of age; neither may a student offer alcoholic beverages to a minor (under 21 years).
2. The President has the authority to designate the time and place for special events where alcoholic beverages may be served on the college campus (for student groups as well as the entire college community and guests). Students who are of legal age may consume alcohol at these events.
3. Except as provided above, the storage, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted on college-owned or college-supervised property. In addition, any student who exhibits offensive behavior on college-owned or college-supervised property, or while attending a college-sponsored event while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, shall be subject to college disciplinary action.

III. Other Substances

The use or possession of illegal and/or unauthorized drugs and drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited.

IV. Campus Disciplinary Sanctions for Violations of Alcohol and Illegal Substance Policies

A student involved in violations of college standards of conduct will be required (unless expelled from the college) to participate in an education and assessment process as a condition of continued association with the institution. The following sanctions are presented as guidelines, indicating the range and progression of sanctions–from educational programs through expulsion. These sanctions are applied on a case by case basis, depending on the specific nature of the alcohol and drug violation. Each student’s case is evaluated in terms of that student’s level of risk posed (health or danger to self and others) by his or her substance abuse.

For violations involving alcohol, sanctions might include:

• three-hour education seminar.
• counseling and assessment
• campus disciplinary probation
• extended probation with counseling
• suspension
• expulsion

For violations involving the possession or use of drugs, sanctions might include:

• disciplinary probation and referral to assessment/treatment
• suspension
• expulsion

For violations involving the sale of drugs, sanctions might include:

• suspension
• expulsion
  

V. Legal Standards

In addition to college student conduct standards, a student will be subjected to all local, state, and federal laws related to substance abuse or the possession/use of alcohol. The following state laws are presented which apply to any student conduct on or in the vicinity of the campus. In these instances, the student is being regarded as a resident of the state of Nevada:

• NRS 202.020 – Purchase, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverage by a minor. Any person under 21 years of age who, for any reason, possesses any alcoholic beverage in public is guilty of a misdemeanor.
• NRS 202.040 – False representation by a minor to obtain intoxicating liquor. Every minor who shall falsely represent himself to be 21 years of age in order to obtain any intoxicating liquor shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
• NRS 202.055 – Sale or furnishing of alcoholic beverage to a minor; aiding a minor to purchase or procure alcoholic beverage. Every person who knowingly sells, gives, or otherwise furnishes an alcoholic beverage to any person under 21 years of age is guilty of a misdemeanor.
• NRS 205.460 – Preparation, transfer, or use of false identification regarding persons under 21 years of age; (1) Every person who counterfeits, forges, alters, erases, or obliterates, or… (3) Every person under the age of 21 years who uses or attempts to use or proffers any counterfeited, forged, erased or obliterated card, writing paper, document, or any photocopy print, Photostat, or other replica thereof for the purpose and with the intention of purchasing alcoholic liquor or being served alcoholic liquor entering gambling establishments shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

VI. Legal Sanctions

Legal action provides for sanctions ranging from the imposition of fines to incarceration. These sanctions are imposed after due process is pursued. Legal sanctions are governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). Such sanctions result from the referral of an alcohol or other drug violation which comes to the attention of the college Police Department and is referred to the District Attorney’s Office. Legal action may take place concurrently with campus disciplinary action.

VIII. Resources

For students: NSC provides a variety of free services and assistance through on-campus appointments. Contact Annise Prewitt at Annise.Prewitt@nevadastate.edu

For NSC employees, ComPsych is available for counseling services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost:

• Telephone: (833) 475-1008
• TTY/TTD: (800) 697-0353
• guidanceresources.com and register using Organization Web ID: NSCEAP

Other resources:

• Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Routing Services: 1-800-662-4357
• Al-Anon: 1-800-344-2666
• Cocaine Hotline (24/7 drug helpline): 1-866-236-1651
• Las Vegas Recovery Center: 702-515-1373
• Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Program: 702-399-2769
• WestCare Detox: 702-383-4044
• Alcoholics Anonymous Las Vegas Central Office: 702-595-1888, www.lvcentraloffice.org
• Region 51 Narcotics Anonymous: 888-495-3222, www.region51na.org
• Valley View Family Counseling Service: 702-320-3180
• Community Counseling Center: 702-369-8700, www.cccofsn.org

RELATED INFORMATION

• Notice to Students and Employees Regarding Illicit Drugs and Alcohol

APPROVALS

Dr. Vickie Shields, Provost, September 26, 2019.
Mr. Bart Patterson, President, September 30, 2019.