Ringling College considers the abuse of drugs or alcohol by its faculty, staff and students to be unsafe and counterproductive to the educational process and the work environment. It is Ringling College’s policy that the illegal possession, use, consumption, sale, purchase or distribution of alcohol, illegal drugs or illegally possessed drugs by any employee, while in the workplace, on campus or in the conduct of Ringling College-related work off campus, is strictly prohibited.
For purposes of this policy, the campus is defined as any area used for work, educational, recreational, residence hall or parking purposes, including surrounding sidewalks and exterior areas.
Ringling College of Art and Design permits persons of legal drinking age or older to possess and consume alcoholic beverages within the confines of private units within the Bayou Village Apartments, Bradenton Apartments, Family Housing, Roy and Susan Palmer Quadrangle and residential houses subject to all Federal, State and Local laws, and the guidelines which have been established by the College.
Guests under the age of 21 are not allowed to be in a campus housing unit where alcohol is permitted, regardless of whether they are consuming alcoholic beverages or not.
This policy is not designed to interfere with the appropriate use of prescription drugs. Employees should notify their supervisors if the proper use of prescribed medication will affect work or academic performance. Abuse of prescription drugs will be treated as a violation of this policy.
Disciplinary Actions to Prevent Drug Abuse
Penalties or sanctions will be imposed by the College in accordance with procedures for disciplinary actions against employees and students as found in this Student Handbook, the Staff Handbook, the Faculty Handbook and other applicable documents.
Sanctions and penalties may range from referral to rehabilitation programs, written warnings with probationary status, to dismissal from academic programs and termination of employment.
Distribution & Review Of Policy
A copy of this policy will be given annually to each employee and to all new employees at the start of employment.
Each student registered during an academic year in any degree program will receive a copy of this policy within this Student Handbook.
The President will ensure that a biennial review of this policy will be conducted to determine its effectiveness and to implement any necessary changes.
Legal Sanctions
In addition to the disciplinary sanctions, Ringling College imposes for violations of this policy, employees and students are subject to state and / or Federal sanctions. Employees who work off-site are subject to the appropriate state and / or local sanctions for their work location.
Florida state law prohibits the possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21, punishable for the first offense by a definite term of imprisonment not exceeding 60 days and / or a $500 fine, and for a subsequent offense by a definite term of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year and a fine of $1,000. It is similarly prohibited and punishable to distribute alcohol to minors.
State law makes it a crime for any person to possess or distribute illicit drugs (controlled substances as described in Section 893.03, Florida Statutes) under Section 893.13, Florida Statutes. Law provides certain limited exceptions. The crimes range from second-degree misdemeanors (up to 60 days imprisonment and up to a $500 fine) to first-degree felonies (up to 30 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine).
Trafficking (distributing specified large quantities of various controlled substances under Section 893.03, Florida Statutes) under Section 893.135, Florida Statutes is punishable, depending on the particular illicit drug, quantity involved and location, by a minimum term of imprisonment of 3 to 30 years and a fine of $25,000 to $500,000.
Federal trafficking penalties for first offenses, depending upon the illicit drug involved, range from not more than 1 year imprisonment and a fine of not more than $100,000 for an individual, to 40 years to life imprisonment and a fine of not more than $200,000 for an individual, to not less than life imprisonment and a fine of not more than $8 million for an individual.
It is unlawful for any person to misrepresent or misstate his or her age or the age of any other person for the purpose of inducing any licensee or his or her agents or employees to sell, give, serve or deliver any alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age, or for any person under 21 years of age to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Health Risks Associated With The Use Of Illicit Drugs & The Abuse Of Alcohol
Illicit drugs and the health risks involved in using them include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Use of cannabis may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time and reduce ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, such as driving a car. Marijuana can also produce paranoia and psychosis.
Inhalants (gasses or volatile liquids)
Immediate negative effects may include nausea, sneezing, coughing, nose bleeds, fatigue, lack of coordination and loss of appetite. Solvents and aerosol sprays may also decrease the heart and respiratory rates and impair judgment. Amyl and Butyl nitrite cause rapid pulse, headaches and involuntary passing of urine and feces. Long-term use may result in hepatitis or brain damage.
Cocaine
Use causes the immediate effects of dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate and elevated body temperature. Chronic use can cause ulceration of the mucous membrane in the nose and produce psychological dependency. Crack or freebase rock, a concentrated form of cocaine, produces effects within 10 seconds of administration. In addition to the above, additional effects include loss of appetite, tactile hallucinations, paranoia and seizures, Cocaine in any form may lead to death through disruption of the brain’s control of heart and respiration.
Other Stimulants
These include amphetamines and methamphetamines. Users may perspire, experience headache, blurred vision, dizziness, sleeplessness and anxiety. Extremely high doses can cause physical collapse, very high fever, stroke or heart failure.
Depressants
Included are barbiturates, methaqualone and tranquilizers. Effects can cause slurred speech, staggering gait and altered perception.Very large doses can cause respiratory depression, coma and death. The combination of depressants and alcohol can be devastating. Babies born to mothers who abuse depressants during pregnancy may be physically dependent on the drugs. Some show birth defects and / or behavioral problems.
Hallucinogens
Effects of hallucinogens vary depending upon the type of drug. Chronic users may experience mood disorders, paranoia, violent behavior, hallucinations, panic, confusion, loss of control and death.
Narcotics (including heroin)
Overdose may produce slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma and death. Tolerance to narcotics develops rapidly and dependence is likely. Addiction in pregnant women can lead to premature, stillborn, or addicted infants.
Designer Drugs
These drugs have had their molecular structure changed chemically to produce analogs such as synthetic heroin and hallucinogens. These analogs can be hundreds of times stronger than the original drug, which they are designed to imitate. 1 dose can cause uncontrollable tremors, drooling, impaired speech, paralysis and irreversible brain damage.
Abuse Of Alcohol
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.
Moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including murder, rape, armed robbery, vandalism, spouse and child abuse and drunk driving. Moderate to high doses of alcohol can cause marked impairment in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Heavy use may cause chronic depression and suicide, and is also greatly associated with the abuse of other drugs.
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 described. The use of even small amounts of alcohol by pregnant women can damage their fetus.
Long-term heavy alcohol use can cause digestive disorders, cirrhosis of the liver, circulatory system disorders and impairment of the central nervous system, all of which may lead to an early death. Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence, particularly in persons with 1 or more parents or grandparents who were problem drinkers. At least 15-20% of heavy users will eventually become problem drinkers or alcoholics if they continue drinking. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions, which can be life threatening.
Resources: Counseling, Treatment & Rehabilitation
Any employee or student who believes he or she has a problem with drug and / or alcohol abuse is urged, for his or her own benefit as well as the benefit of fellow employees and students, to seek counseling and treatment through a treatment program of his or her choice.
Options for assistance and referral include:
- On-campus referral sources. Employees may contact the Office of Human Resources and students may contact the Office of Student Life for assistance in locating a treatment program. All requests for counseling and treatment sessions, as well as referrals, will be handled in a confidential manner.
- The Office of Student Life has professional mental health counselors on staff to assist members of the Ringling College community. In addition, the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, and Student Life Staff are trained in crisis intervention and may provide assistance and / or implement the necessary conduct procedures regarding student behavior.
- Clinics and programs that provide counseling and / or treatment in this area can be found in the yellow pages of the local telephone directory under the heading of “Drug Abuse and Addiction Information and Treatment.”
Guidelines For Legal Use Of Alcohol In Permitted Campus Housing
Alcoholic beverages shall not be possessed or consumed in any outdoor area, including: balconies, hallways, stairwells, the community room, work rooms, laundry rooms or any other common area of campus housing unless all parties are 21 years of age or older. Private parties in student units at which alcoholic beverages are distributed or consumed must comply with the following:
- No alcohol is allowed in any residence hall common areas (including hallways) regardless of age of resident. Private parties may not be advertised. Residents are responsible for their own behavior and that of individuals in attendance.
- The number of guests at a private party in a student unit shall not exceed 12, including residents of that unit. The party may not overflow into the hallway or any adjoining areas outside the residents’ unit including stairwells, work or laundry rooms, the community room or other apartments. Any alcoholic beverage must be consumed and contained within the unit of the party. Common areas are not to be obstructed in any way.
- The room or unit door and windows shall be closed and noise contained and not bother-some to other residents.
- The room or unit may not become the point of dispensing alcohol for the floor or hall or adjacent areas.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages by either an admission ticket, on a per drink basis or by any other means is prohibited.
- All guests of the party who are consuming or in possession of alcoholic beverages must be of the legal drinking age and in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and Local laws.
- Common source alcohol including kegs, party balls, and punches containing alcohol are prohibited.
Procedures For Events With Alcohol
Ringling College considers the abuse of alcohol by its faculty, staff and students to be unsafe and counterproductive to the educational process and the work environment. The College does not encourage the presence and use of alcohol at College sponsored events. The College may, however, permit the legal purchase and use of alcoholic beverages at College related events that are properly organized and scheduled only when the event will not interfere with scheduled academic activities or the normal operations of the College. If such a program will involve students, permission to provide service must be acquired from the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students (and the Vice President for Academic Affairs in cases where a faculty member is the sponsor).
Requests for permission to serve alcohol will only be considered if a third party vendor properly licensed by appropriate state and local authorities has been contracted to serve alcohol. A copy of the appropriate license must be submitted with the request. Requests from the faculty or staff sponsor must be made in writing by completing the Alcohol Policy Exemption Form that is available in the Office of Student Life and on the web at least 2 weeks prior to the proposed event. Furthermore, only events where the majority of the intended Ringling College attendees will be of legal drinking age will be considered for approval.
Additionally, the following are specific policies and procedures that must be followed for the use of alcohol at College events:
- The only alcoholic beverages that can be served at College functions that are student-oriented are beer and wine.
- 1 quarter hour prior to the approved ending time listed on the Alcohol Exemption Form, sales will stop.
- College funds will not be used to pay for or sponsor a party, meal or event where alcoholic beverages are consumed, served or sold in violation of Florida law.
- Any advertisements for the event (including: leaflets, invitations, posters, letters and all other forms of advertisements) cannot advertise alcohol. These advertisements can display the following information: Beverages will be available. Must have valid state-issued picture identification for verification of age.
- An adequate amount of food and alternative beverages (such as: water, juice, assorted sodas, coffee and teas) must be available throughout the entire event. The amount of the food and beverages appropriate for the size of the event will be determined by the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.
- The sponsor is responsible for ensuring that all college policies and procedures are strictly obeyed.
- Appropriate precautionary measures must be in place to ensure that beer and wine are not served to individuals under the legal drinking age (21 in the State of Florida). These measures include having a designated individual, screening persons entering the event and attaching a wristband or stamp indicating those of legal drinking age. At any time during the event, the individual screening has the option to decline identification provided by an individual. The entire staff working the event has the right to refuse service to individuals deemed as having enough alcohol prior to or during the event.
- Under no circumstances should anyone be coerced to drink alcohol. This means no drinking games, contests, or events to encourage excessive drinking. Additionally, alcohol cannot be given as a prize.
- No kegs, or other common source alcohol containers (such as: punch, party balls, etc.) are permitted.
- Public intoxication at any College sponsored event, in any College facility or area, including common or outdoor areas in College owned residential facilities is prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary action.
- An approved staff or faculty supervisor must be present at the event for the entire duration. The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students may require more than one supervisor depending on the size and nature of the event.
- Depending on the size and nature of the event, the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students may require the presence of Public Safety and / or Police. This will be at the expense of the sponsor.
- Violations of these guidelines during the event may result in the closing of the event. All individual violations will be referred to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students for review. The College can take disciplinary action as a result of violations of these policies and procedures.
- Adherence to these policies and procedures applies to any College sponsored program or activity (including: field trips, gallery events, etc.) whether on or off-campus. For further information and guidance on the policies and procedures related to events with alcohol, please contact the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.