Clemson University is committed to providing a campus environment free of abuse of alcohol and the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs. The University will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and policies on the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. The legal drinking age in the state of South Carolina is 21. Clemson University provides students of legal age who choose to drink an environment that promotes safety and responsible drinking. Each individual retains responsibility for his or her own actions at all times regardless of his or her mental or physical state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages or other drugs. As an institution of higher education, Clemson University values the concepts of informed decision-making, promotion of healthy behaviors, prevention of disease, and treatment and rehabilitation of dysfunction.

Alcohol and Drug Policies

Standards of Conduct
The illicit or unauthorized manufacture, use, possession, distribution or dispensation of alcohol or illegal drugs on University property or as part of any University activity is prohibited.

Disciplinary Sanctions
The University will impose disciplinary sanctions on students who violate the above standards of conduct. The severity of the imposed sanctions will be appropriate to the violation. Among the disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed are the following: admonition, censure, probation, restriction of privileges, eviction from University housing, suspension, expulsion and referral for prosecution.

University Policy and Federal/State Laws Concerning Alcohol and Drugs
This section explains University policy on the consumption or possession of alcoholic liquor, beer and wine by students on University property. Also included in this section is a brief overview of federal and state laws governing the possession, use and distribution of alcohol and illegal drugs. It is not meant to be an exhaustive or definite statement of various laws, but rather is designed to indicate the types of conduct that are against the law and the range of legal sanctions that can be imposed by such conduct.

Consumption or Possession of Alcoholic Liquor, Beer and Wine By Students on University Property
The consumption or possession of beer or wine by students 21 years old or older is allowed in their private rooms in University housing and in other designated areas on University property in accordance with the Social Policy as stated in the Student Handbook. The consumption or possession of alcoholic liquor, beer or wine by students on University property other than as provided above is prohibited. Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance (as of January 24, 1994)

Drug Conviction Reporting Requirement
All University employees (including student employees) are required to report any conviction under a criminal drug statute for any violation occurring in the workplace or as part of any University activity. A conviction means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of a sentence or both by any federal or state judicial body charged with such responsibility.

This report must be made within five days of the conviction to the employee�s supervisor and to the director of employee development. In the event that the convicted employee was employed in the performance of a federal contract or grant or state contract or grant, the director of employee development shall immediately notify the vice president for research so that the sponsoring federal or state agency can be notified within 10 days of the date the University received notification as required by federal and state law.

Within 30 days after the University�s receipt of a drug conviction report, the appropriate supervisory authority will either take appropriate personnel action against the employee, consistent with federal and state law and regulations and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, or require the employee to participate successfully in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes.

Health Risks
Drugs and alcohol are toxic to the human body and if abused can have catastrophic health consequences. Some drugs, such as crack, are so toxic that even one experimental use can be fatal. Approximately 30 percent of all admissions to general hospitals and 50 percent to psychiatric hospitals have detectable substance abuse. Substance abuse accounts for approximately 150,000 deaths annually. This includes deaths from stroke, diseases of the heart and liver, and all alcohol-and drug-related suicides, homicides and accidents. Early detection can minimize or prevent the devastating consequences of substance abuse.

Alcohol: Effects
Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person�s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, also can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants may have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics.

Counseling and Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
The following is a brief summary of various on- and off-campus opportunities for counseling, education and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse.

On-Campus Opportunities
Counseling and Psychological Services (656-2451) provides individual and group counseling in resolving personal problems and concerns, including those associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Through the LifeStyles program, a student can undergo a thorough evaluation that leads to recommendations to include educational, psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic interventions within a group and individual format. Education opportunities are available to students through both Counseling and Psychological Services and the Office of Health Education (656-0141).

Off-Campus Opportunities
State Services are available for counseling and/or treatment admission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (868-3106).

Responsible Administrative Office
The Vice President for Student Affairs or her designee shall be responsible for overseeing all actions and programs relating to this policy. The Vice President for Student Affairs or her designee shall conduct a biennial review of the policy and its implementation to determine its effectiveness, make necessary changes and ensure that disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.