Alcohol and Controlled Substances Policy
It is the desire of the University to develop educated students for leadership and service in society. All members of the University community share in the responsibility to maintain an environment that promotes a quality educational experience. The illegal use or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance by members of the community adversely affects our educational environment, our energy, and our focus, and in doing so, deteriorates the learning environment that makes Coker University such a special community. Because we are a close community, the behavior of one student has an effect on all others.
This policy also recognizes that punishment without education is an approach that does not fit the mission or philosophy of Coker University. Thus, educational strategies are one of the major approaches to addressing violations. However, as a community, we will not permit one person’s illegal or irresponsible use of alcohol or a controlled substance to diminish our community or threaten the educational environment of the University. We further recognize that some persons may need more assistance than the University can provide, and for this reason, suspension and expulsion are included as sanctions.
The purpose of the Coker University Alcohol and Controlled Substances Policy is to encourage responsible behavior; regulate the use of alcohol and controlled substances on Coker University property; support state and local laws; provide a program of intervention, education, and support; and establish appropriate judicial sanctions for those who violate the policy.
Coker University prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of controlled substances on the campus of the University or in any area under the temporary or permanent control of the University.
Violators of the Coker University Alcohol and Controlled Substances Policy will face sanctions ranging from a written warning to expulsion from the University. Please see the “Code of Conduct” section of the Student Handbook for details regarding these violations and sanctions.
Health and/or Developmental Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use
Academic research and professional experience demonstrate that the decision to abuse alcohol or use drugs has significant negative effects on a college student’s career. Harvard’s School of Public Health found binge drinking of alcohol to negatively impact a student’s academic performance, their social relationships, and their health. Numerous studies have associated drug use with lower grades, increased likelihood of withdrawing from college, missing classes, depression and anxiety, trouble finding a sense of purpose, and high-risk sexual activity.
- Alcohol is a depressant that is absorbed into the bloodstream and transmitted to all systems in the body. Even light to moderate doses reduce physical coordination and mental alertness, making activities such as sports and driving dangerous. A moderate dose of alcohol causes staggering, slurred speech, double vision, mood swings and unconsciousness. Persistent impotence and loss of libido as well as hepatitis, esophagitis and pancreatitis may occur with heavy alcohol use. Long-term alcohol use increases the risk of liver disease, heart disease, peptic ulcers, certain types of cancer, complicated pregnancies, birth defects, and brain damage. Heavy or binge drinking may even result in respiratory depression and death. Alcohol use can also cause mood changes and loss of inhibitions as well as violent or self-destructive behavior. Alcohol may produce a strong psychological dependence and can create a physiological addiction that is dangerous. Alcohol is a contributing factor in many accidents and tragedies.
- Marijuana can cause the user to have relaxed inhibitions, increased appetite, euphoria, and disoriented behavior. Overdose symptoms may include paranoia, fatigue, and possibly even psychosis. Withdrawal from marijuana can lead to decreased appetite, insomnia, or hyperactivity.
- Narcotics (e.g. opium, morphine, heroin) can cause drowsiness, euphoria, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, and nausea. Someone overdosing on narcotics may exhibit shallow breathing patterns, convulsions, clammy skin, coma, and possibly even death. An individual withdrawing from a narcotics addiction can experience watery eyes, loss of appetite, irritability, panic, nausea, and more.
- Depressants (e.g. Quaaludes, barbiturates) can cause slurred speech, slowed reaction time, and drunken behavior. Overdosing on a depressant can lead to shallow breathing patterns, dilated pupils, a weak pulse, coma, and possibly even death. Withdrawal from a depressant can include symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, convulsions, or even death.
- Stimulants (e.g. cocaine, crack) may lead to an increase in heart rate or blood pressure, heightened alertness, insomnia, or euphoria. An individual overdosing on a stimulant may result in agitation, heightened body temperature, convulsions, hallucinations, or possibly even death. Withdrawal from a stimulant may lead to symptoms of depression, irritability, long periods of sleep, and disorientation.
- Hallucinogens (e.g. LSD, amphetamines, DMT) can cause hallucinations, inaccurate perceptions of time and distance, delusions, and paranoia. A hallucinogen overdose can lead to psychosis and possible death.
Laws Associated with Alcohol and Drug Use
In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the following laws and criminal sanctions are provided to help students understand the risks of alcohol/drug consumption, possession, and distribution. This list of regulations may not be exhaustive, and students are encouraged to conduct additional research on substance usage, both on their own and via the mandated AlcoholEDU program that all Coker students are required to participate in.
Coker University is committed to creating an environment in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
State and Local Law requires: (Local laws are consistent with state laws except where noted.)
- Anyone possessing or consuming an alcoholic beverage must be 21 years of age or older.
- No one under the age of 21 is allowed to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.
- No one over the lawful age is allowed to purchase for or serve an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21.
- No one may use identification fraudulently or allow another person to use one’s own identification fraudulently to obtain alcoholic beverages.
- Persons convicted of the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol can be fined and imprisoned for up to 15 years for the first offense, and as many as 30 years for subsequent offenses. Depending upon the offense, the fines and imprisonment vary but are within the limits noted. Descriptions of offenses and punishments are contained in South Carolina Code Annotated Sections 44-53-40, Sections 163 to 297.
Federal Law prohibits the following drug trafficking acts and prescribes the following penalties:
Drug/Schedule
|
Quantity
|
Penalties
|
Quantity
|
Penalties
|
| Cocaine (Schedule II) |
500-4999 gms mixture |
First Offense: Not less than 5 yrs, and not more than 40 yrs. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $2 million if an individual, $5 million if not an individual
Second Offense: Not less than 10 yrs, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, life imprisonment. Fine of not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if not an individual
|
5 kgs or more mixture |
First Offense: Not less than 10 yrs, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Not less than 20 yrs, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, life imprisonment. Fine of not more than $8 million if an individual, $20 million if not an individual.
2 or More Prior Offenses: Life imprisonment
|
| Cocaine Base (Schedule II) |
5-49 gms mixture |
50 gms. or more mixture |
| Fentanyl (Schedule II) |
40-399 gms mixture |
400 gms or more mixture |
| Fentanyl Analogue (Schedule I) |
10-99 gms mixture |
100 gms or more mixture |
| Heroin (Schedule I) |
100 -999 gms mixture |
1 kg or more mixture |
| LSD (Schedule I) |
1-9 gmx mixture |
10 gms or more mixture |
| Methamphetamine (Schedule II) |
5-49 gms pure or 50-499 gms mixture |
50 gms or more pure or 500 gms or more mixture |
| PCP (Schedule II) |
10 - 99 gms pure or 100 - 999 gms mixture |
100 gm or more pure or 1 kg or more mixture |
| Other Schedule I & II drugs (and any drug product containing Gama Hydroxybutyric Acid) |
Any amount |
First Offense: Not more than 20 yrs. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 yrs, or more than Life. Fine $1 million if an individual, $5 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Not more than 30 yrs. If death or serious injury, not less than life. Fine $2 million if an individual, $10 million if not an individual
|
| Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV) |
1 gm or more |
| Other Schedule III drugs |
Any amount |
First Offense: Not more than 5 years. Fine not more than $250,000 if an individual, $1 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Not more 10 yrs. Fine not more than $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if not an individual
|
| Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV) |
30 to 999 mgs |
| All other Schedule IV drugs |
Any amount |
First Offense: Not more than 3 years. Fine not more than $250,000 if an individual, $1 million if not an individual.
Second Offense: Not more than 6 yrs. Fine not more than $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if not an individual.
|
| Flunitrazepam (Schedule IV) |
Less than 30 mgs |
| All Schedule V drugs |
Any amount |
First Offense: Not more than 1 yr. Fine not more than $100,000 if an individual, $250,000 if not an individual.
Second Offense: Not more than 2 yrs. Fine not more than $200,000 if an individual, $500,000 if not an individual.
|
Drug
|
Quantity
|
1st Offense
|
2nd Offense
|
|
Marijuana
|
1,000 kg or more mixture; or 1,000 or more plants
|
- Not less than 10 years, not more than life
- If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years, not more than life
- Fine not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if other than an individual
|
- Not less than 20 years, not more than life
- If death or serious injury, mandatory life
- Fine not more than $8 million if an individual, $20 million if other than an individual
|
|
Marijuana
|
100 kg to 999 kg mixture; or 100 to 999 plants
|
- Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years
- If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years, not more than life
- Fine not more than $2 million if an individual, $5 million if other than an individual
|
- Not less than 10 years, not more than life
- If death or serious injury, mandatory life
- Fine not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if other than an individual
|
|
Marijuana
|
more than 10 kgs hashish; 50 to 99 kg mixture
more than 1 kg of hashish oil; 50 to 99 plants
|
- Not more than 20 years
- If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years, not more than life
- Fine $1 million if an individual, $5 million if other than an individual
|
- Not more than 30 years
- If death or serious injury, mandatory life
- Fine $2 million if an individual, $10 million if other than individual
|
|
Marijuana
|
1 to 49 plants; less than 50 kg mixture
|
- Not more than 5 years
- Fine not more than $250,000, $1 million other than individual
|
- Not more than 10 years
- Fine $500,000 if an individual, $2 million if other than individual
|
Guidelines for selling and/or providing alcoholic beverages on campus
No alcoholic beverages may be sold on Coker University property or at any Coker University events, unless approved, in advance by the Senior Director of Student Experience or their designee(s).
Guidelines for possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by students
- Individuals must be in accordance with state and local laws and university policy to possess or consume alcoholic beverages on university property. Alcoholic beverages may be consumed only in the following locations, as approved by the Senior Director of Student Experience:
- Designated residence hall rooms/apartments/suites where all of the assigned occupants are 21 years of age or older. In the event a student enters the room/apartment/suite that is under the age of 21, the room/apartment/suite automatically becomes a dry room/apartment/suite. Residents of the room/apartment/suite are required to put away any alcoholic beverages. If any underage student is discovered in a “wet” room/apartment/suite, the student, and the residents of the room/apartment/suite will be held responsible;
- The Dining Hall, on the occasion of dances or other special events;
- The Drengaelen House, on the occasion of special events;
- Other locations, during special events, with prior written approval of the Senior Director of Student Experience.
- Public consumption of alcoholic beverages by students is prohibited. The following areas are considered public: any area of the residence halls outside one’s private room; outdoors, the Clubhouse/Boathouse area; and campus buildings (with the exception of the above).
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages on school sponsored trips may be allowed so long as the individual is over the age of 21 and complying with all local, state, and federal laws, the student is not driving a vehicle, the student is acting responsibly, no University funds are used in the purchasing of alcohol, and they have permission from the faculty/staff member responsible for the trip.