HMC’s Program Relating to the Prevention of Illegal Possession, Use, and Distribution of Drugs and Alcohol by Students
(Revised March 2001)

I. The Program

A. The program is a standards of conduct prohibiting all students from unlawfully possessing, manufacturing, using or distributing drugs and alcohol on college property or at any activities of the college. In addition, this program is designed to address and eliminate occurrences of binge drinking (five or more drinks at a sitting for men and four or more drinks at a sitting for women) and its consequences.

B. The program is an imposition of disciplinary penalties on a student in the event of a violation of this standards of conduct. Whether there has been a violation will be determined in accordance with the college’s procedures applicable to student discipline. When students visit another Claremont College, they are responsible for observing the regulations of both that college and HMC.

1. Penalties will be of varying degrees of severity and may include: warnings, attendance in a substance abuse program, substance probation, community service, loss of residential privileges (temporary or permanently), suspension, expulsion, and referral to governmental authorities for prosecution.
2. The appropriate penalty shall be determined by taking into consideration all relevant circumstances, and particular penalties will not be associated with any particular violation.

C. Annually, the college will distribute to each student a written statement that will include a copy of this program and

1. A description of the various federal, California and local laws relating to the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol and the penalties imposed there under (see Section II);
2. A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol (see Section III);
3. A description of any drug and alcohol counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation or reentry programs that are available to students (see Section IV);
4. A statement of any regulations established from time to time by the college with respect to the unlawful use, possession and distribution of drugs and alcohol on college property and at college activities (see Section V).

D. At least every two years the college will review this program to determine its effectiveness and implement changes to the program if they are needed and ensure that the disciplinary penalties described above are consistently enforced.

II. Local, State, and Federal Sanctions

A. Some local, state and federal laws establish severe penalties for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. These sanctions, upon conviction, range from a fine and probation to lengthy imprisonment. The following are lists of topics covered by these laws and the websites where more details can be found.

Claremont Municipal Code
www.ci.claremont.ca.us/municipalcode.cfm
9.23.20 Drinking Alcohol in Public Places

California Codes
www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

California Business and Professions Code
25602 Giving Alcohol to Intoxicated People
25604 Retail Establishments Serving Alcohol Must Be Licensed
25607 Limits on Alcohol Approved by Retail Licenses
25658 Limits on Alcohol Provision, Purchase, and Consumption to Minors
25662 Public Possession of Alcohol by Those Under 21
25659 Confiscation of False Identification
25660.5 Furnishing False Identifications
25661 Use of False Identification

California Vehicle Code
23136 Under 21 Driving Under the Influence
23137 Under 21 Refusing a Blood Alcohol Test
23139 License Suspension for Refusal of Blood Alcohol Test
23140 BAC Limit for a Driver Who is Under Age
23141 Alcohol Education Programs for Underage Offenders
23152 Driving Under the Influence
23160 Consequences for DUI Conviction
23195 Consequences for Owner of Vehicle Used in DUI
23196 Further Consequences for DUI Conviction
23220 Limits on Alcohol Use While Driving Off-Road
23221 Limits on Open Containers in Vehicles
23222 Consequences for Marijuana Use While Driving
23224 Limits of Under 21 Transporting Alcohol
California Health and Safety Code
11153.5 Manufacture of Controlled Substances
11350 Possession of Narcotics
11351 Possession of Narcotics for Sale
11352 Transportation of Narcotics
11355 Sales of Narcotics
11357 Possession of Marijuana or Hashish
11358 Cultivation of Marijuana
11359 Sale of Marijuana
11360 Transportation of Marijuana
11364 Possession of Device for Consuming Narcotics
11365 Aiding the Use of Narcotics
11377 Consequences for Possession of a Controlled Substance
11378 Possession for Sale of Controlled Substances
11379 Transportation of Controlled Substances
11382 Aiding the Distribution of Controlled Substances
11383 Possession of Materials Intended to Manufacture Methamphetamine

Federal Code
www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/
Title 21, Chapter 13 Lists Laws Pertaining to Possession of Controlled Substances and Illegal Trafficking

III. Health Risks Associated with the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol

A. The use of any mind- or mood-altering substance, including alcohol, can lead to psychological dependence, which is defined as a need or craving for the substance and feelings of restlessness, tension or anxiety when the substance is not used. In addition, with many substances, use can lead to physical tolerance, characterized by the need for increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect and/or physical dependence, characterized by the onset of unpleasant or painful physiological symptoms when the substance is no longer being used. As tolerance and psychological or physical dependence develop, judgement becomes impaired and people often do not realize they are losing control over the use of the substance and that they need help.

B. Alcohol acts as a depressant to the central nervous system and can cause serious short- and long-term damage. Short-term effects include nausea, vomiting and ulcers; more chronic abuse can lead to brain, liver, kidney and heart damage and even eventual death. Ingesting a large amount of alcohol at one time, (five or more drinks at a sitting for men, and four or more drinks at a sitting for women), can lead to alcohol poisoning, coma and death. Drugs such as LSD, amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine and alcohol alter emotions, cognition, perception, physiology and behavior in a variety of ways. Health risks include, but are not limited to, depression, apathy, hallucinations, paranoia and impaired judgement. In particular, alcohol and/or drug use inhibits motor control, reaction time, and judgement, impairing driving ability. Abuse of either or both alcohol or drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion and still births.

IV. Assistance for Alcohol Abuse and/or Drug Use Problems

A. The Claremont Colleges are committed to education and counseling as the primary focus of their substance abuse programs and will provide confidential professional assistance for any students who want it. Students are urged to seek information and help regarding substance abuse for themselves or their friends. A variety of services, including counseling, educational materials, campus Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and referrals, are available at the following offices:

• Dean of Students Office, Associate Dean, Student Emotional Health, x74101
• Health Education Outreach Office, x73602 or x73485
• Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, x18202
• Student Health Services, x18222
• Substance Abuse Counselor, Pitzer College, x77152

B.In particular, Health Education Outreach will provide ongoing, student-centered education and prevention programs, including a peer education and training program, health promotional materials and activities throughout the academic year.

C.To protect students’ privacy, information regarding a student during partici-pation in any related program is treated as confidential.

V. Standard of Conduct Governing Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs

A.The State of California prohibits the use, possession and purchase of alcohol by individuals under the age of 21; and the use of alcohol in public by all people, regardless of age. The alcoholic beverage rules of Harvey Mudd College are required by law to be consistent with the California alcoholic beverage laws. The following standards of conduct will govern the use of alcohol on the HMC campus and at HMC sponsored events off campus.

1. Possession or use of alcohol in public is forbidden. Public locations include all grounds and dormitory exteriors, except those areas designated for approved parties.
2. Events involving drinking games and/or promoting binge drinking are specifically forbidden.
3. Alcoholic beverages may not be served on HMC property or at any HMC event where persons under 21 years of age are present, unless written approval has been granted by the Activities Dean of a plan that assures compliance with the law.
4. HMC events are defined as any on-campus event. In addition, those off-campus events that may be identified as being an activity of the college will also be governed by state law and HMC standards of conduct.

B. Students are responsible for abiding by the California alcohol laws and these HMC standards of conduct. Failure to abide by the law or standards of conduct will result in disciplinary sanctions.

C. As to the use of drugs, federal and state laws govern actions by all members of the Harvey Mudd College community. As required by law, HMC has established rules, regarding the possession and use of drugs, that are consistent with the federal and state laws governing drug use: it is unlawful to manufacture, possess, sell or use controlled substances. Failure to abide by the law will result in disciplinary sanction.