Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs

Mission: The University of Dubuque is committed to stewardship of all God's human and natural resources.

The following is the University's policy regarding the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco:

  • Students are expected to abide by all Iowa state laws and statutes regarding the use, possession, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. In order to consume alcohol legally in the state of Iowa, you must be 21 years of age.
  • Alcohol use, possession, distribution, and/or consumption or possession of an alcohol container on the University campus or at any activity off-campus that is sponsored by any University organization, department or group is strictly prohibited. The President, or appropriate designee, may approve exceptions to this prohibition to allow possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons of legal drinking age at designated special events. For clarification regarding this policy, please contact the Vice President and Dean of Student Life. No alcoholic beverages may be present at any activity for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership.
  • Illegal drug use, possession, and distribution (including the abuse of prescription or over-the- counter drugs) and any paraphernalia related to illegal use, is prohibited.
  • University personnel may, at times of concern for a student's welfare, notify a parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of a student under 21 years of age in writing and/or by phone when alcohol or drug violations of University policy occur.
  • The Iowa Clean Air Act bans the use of tobacco in all indoor and outdoor spaces on the campus. For details, please refer to the section on Tobacco in the Student Handbook.
  • No advertising may be displayed that explicitly or implicitly invites students to events where alcohol will be served.

Iowa Laws Relating to Consumption of Alcohol

The following is only a partial list of the pertinent alcohol-related laws:

  • Persons under the legal age (21 years) are prohibited from purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages (I.C.A. 123.47).
  • It is unlawful to sell, give, or otherwise supply alcoholic beverages to a minor (anyone under 21 years of age) (I.C.A. 123.47 and 123.47A).
  • Those under the legal age may not present false evidence or misrepresent their age to a vendor or licensee for purposes of obtaining alcoholic beverages [I.C.A. 123.49(3)].
  • No person may sell or give alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person [I.C.A. 123.49(1)].
  • Anyone under the age of 21 who is caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .02 or more will lose their driver's license or permit for up to 60 days. Temporary driving permits for school, work, or any reason, will not be issued during the suspension period.

Alcohol and Drug-Related Counseling

The University understands the need for strict adherence to the law in cases involving alcohol, drugs, and other addictions. However, as part of its mission, the University also practices compassion toward those with abuse and/or dependency of a substance or other addictive disorders. To this end, University officials will make an effort to assist students in receiving professional counseling and/or treatment, to support students in becoming productive members of the University family and society. Students in need of services due to abuse and/or dependency of alcohol, drugs or other addictions are welcome to contact UD's Counseling Services to assist with a confidential and professional referral to an appropriate service within the tristate area or through the student's preferred provider within their insurance plan. The referral service is provided at no charge to the student. UD's Counseling Services does not provide treatment for alcohol, drugs, or other addictions. However, UD's Counseling Services has strong partnerships with area resources such as: Substance Abuse Services Center (SASC), Hillcrest Family Services, Turning Point Treatment Center, area hospitals and clinics, intervention services, and other alternative providers.

For more information and a list of area resources, visit the Counseling and Life Services webpage, contact 563.589.3132 or 563.589.3253, or visit the Counseling Services on 2nd Floor of Peters Commons.

Substance Abuse and Drug Testing of the Student-Athlete

Student-Athlete(s) refers to: Student-Athletes, Student Managers, Student Coaches, Work Study (including First Aiders), Mascots, Cheerleaders

Philosophy
One of the greatest challenges facing society today is finding new and creative ways to control the increasing use of drugs and alcohol among students. The University of Dubuque's Athletic Department recognizes the health risks and danger associated with the use of unlawful, illicit drugs and alcohol, and proposes the investitures of random drug testing to help control the temptation presented to many of our students. Colleges presently drug test under the approval of the NCAA, and private industry and businesses drug test prospective and present employees.

Individuals under the influence of drugs and alcohol provide a threat to the safety and the health of themselves and to others participating with them. They risk destruction of various body organs, addiction, the threat of diseases contracted through the use of non-sterilized paraphernalia, behavior modifications, and performance below their fullest natural ability levels.

The drug testing program will not affect the policies, practices, or rights of UD in dealing with any drug, alcohol, or tobacco possession or use where reasonable suspicion is obtained by means other than random testing. UD also reserves the right to test any UD student athlete when there is reasonable suspicion to believe the student athlete has used or is using a banned or illegal substance.

Goal
The goal of the University of Dubuque (UD) Substance Abuse Policy for the Student-Athlete is to ensure student-athletes practice, compete, and work to the best of their ability, free from the influence of substance abuse. Five objectives accompany this goal:

  • Contribute to the education of the student-athlete regarding substance abuse by encouraging student-athlete participation in campus-wide substance abuse prevention programs.
  • Aid student-athletes in finding medical assistance and counseling for substance abuse related violations.
  • Facilitate compliance with NCAA regulations concerning substance abuse.
  • Protect the health and safety of all student-athletes.
  • Prevent an unfair competitive edge by those who abuse certain chemical substances.

Any use of a substance belonging to a class of drugs currently banned by the NCAA (see ncaa.org) may be cause for loss of eligibility. A qualified testing laboratory will be utilized for drug testing and a proper and effective chain of custody of collection specimens will be observed. For further information regarding substance abuse or usage, drug testing, or other medical questions, contact the UD Medical Coordinator, Director of Athletics, or your Head Coach.

This Substance Abuse Policy is in effect during the entire academic year. There is no difference between an in-season and an out-of-season violation. Violations of the policy accrue during the entire academic and athletic career of the student-athlete at UD. UD retains the option to test for other substances at the discretion of the Director of Athletics or Team Physician.

*The University of Dubuque retains the right to amend these policies from time-to-time without notice to student-athletes or coaches.

For more information on the policies and procedures relating to the student-athlete, please referred to the Student Handbook.

The Iowa Smoke Free Air Act (July 1, 2008)

The law bans the smoking of tobacco in all indoor and outdoor spaces on our campus including: all university property, parking lots (including smoking while sitting in your personal vehicle), athletic fields, stadiums, university vehicles (no matter if it's on- or off- campus), the UD Flight Operations Center at the Dubuque Regional Airport (grounds, including outdoor spaces), apartments, houses, residence halls and university sidewalks. In essence, it is against the law to smoke tobacco on or in any university property. The law does not prohibit smoking on public sidewalks or streets around the university.

Please be attentive to this new law and help by informing anyone smoking on UD property that Iowa law prohibits this activity, or give Safety and Security a call to permit them to share this news. The law takes a firm position concerning the failure to maintain a smoke-free campus community that will result in civil penalties, as well as other consequences, for both the individual and the university.

For smokers, as well as friends and family who smoke, this change in the law is not easy. Iowa is following national environmental and health pathways and is neither the first nor the last state, to regulate smoking in a comprehensive way. As is our tradition at the University of Dubuque, to cooperate and work together, we all can make this transition as smoothly as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation and if you have any questions, please call the Safety and Security Office at 563.589.3333.