• Local, State, and Federal Legal Sanctions
• Health Risks
• Where to Get Help
• Disciplinary Sanctions

Students are required to comply with policy as a condition of enrollment.

As a condition of employment, all employees of Fielding Graduate University (this includes faculty and staff) are required to adhere to this policy. Persons who are not employees, but who perform work for Fielding (such as contractors and their employees, temporary employees provided by agencies, visitors engaged in joint projects, etc.) are also required to comply with this policy.

Local, State, and Federal Legal Sanctions

Local, state, and federal laws establish severe penalties for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions, upon conviction, may range from a small fine and probation to imprisonment for up to one year or a $1,000. fine, or both. In the case of possession and distribution of illegal drugs, these sanctions could include the seizure and summary forfeiture of property, including houses or vehicles. It is especially important to know that recent federal laws have increased the penalties for illegally distributing drugs to include life imprisonment and fines in excess of $1 million. Some examples of local or state laws are:

• The purchase, possession, or consumption of any alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) by any person under the age of 21 is prohibited.
• Selling, either directly or indirectly, any alcoholic beverages, except under the authority of a California Alcohol Beverage Control License, is prohibited.
• It is a felony to induce another person to take various drugs and "intoxicating agents" with the intent of enabling oneself or the drugged person to commit a felony. The person who induced the other may be a principal in any crime committed.

Health Risks

• All drugs are toxic or poisonous when abused. Health risks of drug abuse include, but are not limited to, sleep disorders, convulsions, hallucinations, paranoia, deep depression, malnutrition, liver and kidney damage, cardiac irregularities, hepatitis, neurological damage.
• Alcohol is a depressant. It depresses the central nervous system and can cause serious physical damage. Excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver, resulting in cirrhosis. Chronic alcohol abuse also causes hypertension; cardiac irregularities; ulcers; pancreatitis; kidney disease; cancer of the esophagus, liver, bladder or lungs; memory loss; tremors; malnutrition; vitamin deficiencies; possible sexual dysfunction.
• Abuse of either or both alcohol or drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirths.

Where to Get Help

A partial listing of available agencies includes:

• Santa Barbara County Mental Health Department 805-681-5190
• Alcohol & Drug Information Center 805-962-6195 or 805-963-1433
• Alcoholics Anonymous 805-962-3332
• Employees who participate in Fielding's health insurance plan may call their primary care physician for counseling referrals.
• Fielding community members outside the Santa Barbara area should check in their telephone books for county mental health departments or in the Yellow Pages under Alcoholism Information & Treatment Centers.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The sanctions for violation of this policy may result in a range of consequences, including verbal or written reprimand; suspension, expulsion, or required completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program; and /or referral for prosecution.

Any student, faculty, or staff person who feels that a sanction has been imposed unjustly may pursue the applicable grievance procedures afforded to them by existing Fielding policy.

Related Policies:

• Student Complaint and Grievance Procedure

  Policy Revised 11/01/1996