The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is committed to providing a safe, healthy learning community
for all its members. The University recognizes that the improper and excessive use of alcohol and other
drugs may interfere with the University's mission by negatively affecting the health and safety of students,
faculty and staff. Problems such as vandalism, assault, harassment, and disruption of sleep and study space
increase in relation to misuse. It is due to the harm caused by excessive and illegal use that the University
has a vested interest in establishing polices to prohibit unlawful behavior, and sanctions to address policy
violations by members of the UM community.
Under the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1991,
the University is required to have an alcohol and other drug policy and distribute this policy annually to all
employees and students. This policy must outline the University's prevention, education and intervention efforts,
and consequences that may be applied by both the University and external authorities for policy violations. The
law also requires that individuals be notified of possible health risks associated with the use and abuse of
alcohol and other drugs, and sources of assistance for problems that may arise as a result of use.
2. UM Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy
Michigan law prohibits the dispensing, selling or supplying of drugs or alcoholic beverages to a person under twenty-one years old.
Employees, students, faculty and campus visitors may not unlawfully manufacture, consume, possess, sell, distribute, transfer or be under
the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs or controlled substances on University property, while driving a University vehicle or while
otherwise engaged in University business. The only exception to this policy is that individuals of legal age may consume alcohol on
University property in a manner consistent with University policy and State of Michigan law. University property, as defined in this
policy, includes all buildings and land owned, leased, or used by the University, motor vehicles operated by employees, including
personal motor vehicles, when used in connection with work performed for or on behalf of the University.
Any person taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter medication is personally responsible for ensuring that while taking such
drugs or medications, he or she is not a safety risk to themselves and others while on University property, while driving a University
or privately owned vehicle, or while otherwise engaged in University business.
For the purpose of this policy, the term "drug" includes:
a. controlled substances, as defined in 21 USC 802, which cannot be legally obtained; or
b. legally obtainable controlled substances which were not legally obtained, including:
prescribed drugs when prescription is no longer valid;
prescribed drugs used contrary to the prescription;
prescribed drugs issued to another person.
All members of the campus community are also governed by laws, regulations and ordinances established by the state and local
municipalities, and will be held accountable by law enforcement representatives of those entities for any illegal activity. It
is the responsibility of all campus members to be aware of these laws.
3. UM Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program (UMAODPP)
Changing the community culture from one that is indifferent,
or tolerates, the harm caused by excessive and illegal
use, requires participation by all members of the
community. The University of Michigan has a comprehensive
substance abuse prevention program that utilizes nationally
recognized best practices. These practices are employed
in order to actively promote an environment that discourages
the harmful abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and
strives to prevent subsequent negative outcomes. Strategies
that are utilized include: informing students about
alcohol and other drug use policies, and possible
consequences for policy violations; distributing educational
media campaigns promoting legal, moderate use; providing
information to student's parents about alcohol issues
and educational programs while on campus during parent
orientation; facilitating various education, skill
building, and intervention programs to assist students
in understanding choices and risks; and providing
resources and support for students who seek treatment
services for themselves and others. In December 2005,
the Ann Arbor Campus Community Conversations coalition
(A2C3) was established and is currently developing
and instituting new strategies to reduce harmful use
of alcohol and other drugs on campus and in the city
of Ann Arbor. Information is available from the UM
AODPP, Health Promotion and Community Relations Department, at 734-763-1320.
4. Health Risks
The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs increases the risk for a number of health related and other medical,
behavioral, and social problems. These include acute health problems related to intoxication or overdose (blackouts,
convulsions, coma, death); physical and psychological dependence; malnutrition; long-term health problems, including
cirrhosis of the liver, organic brain damage, high blood pressure, heart disease; contracting diseases such as AIDS,
through sharing of hypodermic needles; pregnancy problems including miscarriages, fetal alcohol syndrome (physical
and mental birth defects); psychological or psychiatric problems; diminished behavior (hangovers, hallucinations,
disorientation, slurred speech); unusual or inappropriate risk-taking which may result in physical or emotional injury
or death; violent behavior towards others, such as assault and rape; accidents cause by operating machinery while
impaired; impaired driving resulting in alcohol and drug-related arrest, traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities;
negative effects on academic work performance; conflicts with co-workers, classmates, family, friends and others;
conduct problems resulting in disciplinary actions, including loss of employment or dismissal from an academic program;
and legal problems resulting in ticketing, fines, and imprisonment.
5. Counseling and Treatment Programs
The University of Michigan encourages individuals with alcohol or other drug-related problems to seek assistance.
Emergency Care for Faculty, Staff and Students:
UM Psychiatric Emergency Services
Level B1 of the Medical Center, adjacent to the Department of Emergency Medicine
Crisis help hotline 734-996-4747
24 hours a day/7 days a week
Fee for service
Non-Emergency Care for Individual Students:
UM Counseling and Psychological Services
Michigan Union, 3rd floor
734-764-8312
Offers individual counseling and substance abuse assessments
Free services for enrolled UM students
UM University Health Service
Health Promotion and Community Relations
207 Fletcher Street
734-763-1320
Facilitates the BASICS program, an educational intervention for
students who would like to explore their relationship with alcohol (2 one-on-one sessions); free to enrolled UM students
Support for Student Organizations:
Office of Student Activities and Leadership
2205 Michigan Union, 2nd floor
734-763-5900
Student organizations can find support for developing policies and managing membership by utilizing resources available at the
Office of Student Activities and Leadership
For additional information on local, state, and national
resources, please contact:
UM Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS)
Rachel Upjohn Building
4250 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5767
734-232-0600 or 1-800-828-8020
Provides assessment and treatment services
6. UM Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy and Student Organizations
The University of Michigan expects each student organization
to adopt a policy about the use of alcohol and other
drugs that is consistent with this Policy, complies
with federal, state and local laws, minimizes criminal
and civil liability to the organization and its members,
and helps assure the personal safety and welfare of
members and guests. The Division of Student Affairs
provides resources and references to assist student
organizations with drafting policies. Contact the
Office of Student
Activities and Leadership for assistance or more
information.
The following guidelines are recommended:
I. It is illegal for student organizations to sell alcohol in the state of Michigan. Student organizations can significantly
improve personal safety and reduce liability by not providing alcohol to any person.
II. If alcohol is to be present at an organization-sponsored activity, the organization can provide for the safety of its
members and reduce its liability if:
a. Alcohol is not the focus of the event;
b. Attractive alternative beverages are provided;
c. Procedures are in place to prevent service or sale to persons under the legal age of 21;
d. Alcoholic beverages are not purchased with organization
funds, nor with the contributions of individual
members;
e. Alcohol is not served from common or self-serve containers;
f. Service complies with this Policy, as well as the rules of the facility;
g. Designated non-drinking hosts are assigned to attend the event.
h. Procedures are in place to assist
any attendee who is intoxicated with finding alternative
transportation home.
If alcohol is to be present at an event, the preferred methods of serving alcoholic beverages is to use a professional
caterer or hold the event at a site provided by a vendor who is licensed to sell and serve alcohol. If these methods are
not possible, request that guests of legal drinking age bring a reasonable amount of alcohol that only they will consume
at the event. Schools, departments, units and administrative offices as appropriate are expected to encourage student
organizations' compliance with these expectations and recommendations.
7. University
Sanctions - UM Ann Arbor Campus
Students: The University, through the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), has established expectations
for non-academic student conduct under the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities (The Statement). The Statement specifically
addresses the illicit use of alcohol and other drugs as follows:
"The following behaviors contradict the values of the University community and are subject to action under this Statement:
Illegally possessing or using alcohol
Illegally distributing, manufacturing, or selling alcohol
Illegally possessing or using drugs
Illegally distributing, manufacturing, or selling drugs"
The Statement is administered by the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR). OSCR is charged
with determining responsibility as well as recommending sanctions when appropriate. Sanctions cover a wide range of educational assignments
and obligations, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion from the institution. OSCR may delegate portions of the Conduct Process
to other units of the University who have a vested interest in the conduct of smaller student communities (e.g. University Housing,
Athletic Department).
Academic units of the University may also have written or implied policies concerning management of alcohol use and their response to the
illicit use of alcohol and other drugs in the academic setting. Students are expected to know and understand these additional policies and
abide by them.
Student Organizations: Policy violations by non-Greek affiliated student organizations will be handled through
the student organization judicial process administered through the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.
Violations by Greek affiliated student organizations will be adjudicated by the Greek Activities Review Panel (GARP).
Staff and Faculty: Sanctions for violations by faculty and staff are governed by policies within individual
departments and any applicable guidelines set by University regulations (Regents' Bylaw 5.09, Standard Practice
Guide 201.12),
appropriate collective bargaining agreements, and other applicable policies or procedures. Appropriate sanctions may include: verbal or written warnings,
a mandated rehabilitation program, probation, suspension, and termination. In each case there are likely to be different circumstances that are relevant
for understanding the situation and determining the appropriate sanction.
8. External Sanctions
Federal laws impose significant criminal penalties for the unlawful possession, use, manufacture or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs.
These penalties include fines and/or imprisonment.
Alcohol: Under Michigan law it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, consume or possess, or have
any bodily content of alcohol. A first time conviction may result in a fine, substance abuse education and treatment, community service and
court-ordered drug screenings. There is also a provision for possible imprisonment or probation for a second or subsequent offense. Use of
false identification by minors in obtaining alcohol is punishable with a fine, loss of driver's license, probation and community service.
Individuals can be arrested/convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at .08 or
higher. If a student is under 21, there is a "zero tolerance" law in the state of Michigan and any blood alcohol level of .01 or higher can l
ead to a minor in possession (MIP) ticket and as well as being cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. This is in addition to
suspension of driving privileges in the state of Michigan.
Marijuana: The laws regarding marijuana possession on campus differ from those in the City of Ann Arbor.
The property occupied by the University of Michigan is under the jurisdiction of the laws of the State of Michigan. Under these laws,
possession of marijuana on UM property is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Persons
convicted of possession of marijuana off UM property but in the city limits of Ann Arbor will be charged with a civil infraction and
required to pay a fine.
9. Employee Reporting Requirement
Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, in addition to the other requirements of this policy, a faculty or staff member who works
in any capacity under a federal grant or contract must notify his or her University supervisor or department head, in writing, of his
or her conviction for a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such
conviction. This applies to direct charge employees and to indirect charge employees who perform any support or overhead functions
related to the grant. The supervisor or department head must then promptly report the violation to the General Counsel's Office.
10. Distribution of Policy
A copy of this policy statement will be distributed to all faculty, staff and students annually via email at the beginning of fall semester.
11. Review of University Prevention Program and Policy
Biennially the University shall review its "Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Program and Policy" to determine effectiveness and implement
changes, if needed, and to ensure that the University's disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.
12. For More Information concerning
this policy, contact the UM Alcohol and Other Drugs
Prevention Program in the Health Promotion and Community
Relations Department, University Health Service, at
734-763-1320.
