Drug- and Alcohol-Abuse Prevention Student Policy
(April 2008)

Drug-Free Campus. Curtis has adopted a Drug- and Alcohol-Abuse Prevention Policy in order to provide and maintain a campus free of the unlawful use of drugs and alcohol. Parts of that policy are based upon the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and applicable regulations issued by the United States Department of Education. For purposes of this policy, drugs are defined as any substance which is defined, listed, or identified as a controlled substance under federal statutes and regulations. Further, drugs are defined as a controlled substance under federal statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, methadone, methaqualone, hallucinogens [including, but not limited to, PCP, LSD, and psilocybin (mushrooms)], narcotics or opiates (including, but not limited to, heroin, morphine, opium, Demerol, and Percodan), and Fentanyl. Curtis intends through this policy to promote a safe learning and work environment for its community and to discourage and prevent unlawful conduct and activities relating to drugs and alcohol. This policy and the procedures implementing it are applicable to all members of the Curtis community.

All members of the Curtis community are prohibited from unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, purchasing, transferring, selling, or using a controlled substance (sometimes called an illicit drug) and/or alcohol on Curtis property or during participation in any activities of Curtis regardless of whether such activities take place on or off the property of Curtis. Also, all members of the Curtis community are required to be at Curtis without having engaged in the current, illegal use of any controlled substance and free of the unlawful presence of any controlled substance in their body systems. All members of the community are prohibited from storing in a locker or desk, or other repository on Curtis property, any controlled substance that is not lawful for him or her to possess. Anyone who is convicted for a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace must notify the director of student services, in writing, of such conviction within five (5) calendar days after such conviction. Anyone who engages in conduct that is prohibited by this policy or do not give the required notice of conviction will be subject to disciplinary sanctions, as determined by Curtis, in its discretion, up to and including dismissal from Curtis. Also, anyone who engages in conduct prohibited by this policy may be required to successfully complete a rehabilitation or treatment program, determined to be appropriate by Curtis, in its discretion, in order to be eligible to remain at Curtis. Curtis has the discretion whether or not to accept the determination made by the rehabilitation or treatment program that the student successfully completed such program. Reinstatement with Curtis, either during or upon successful completion of a rehabilitation or treatment program, is not guaranteed. The decision whether or not to reinstate at any time will be made solely by Curtis, in its discretion.

All members of the Curtis community are reminded that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, purchase, transfer, sale, or use of controlled substances (i.e., illicit drugs) and/or alcohol is against the law. Curtis may refer any violations of law to local, state, or federal law enforcement authorities for prosecution.

All members of the Curtis community are reminded that there are serious health risks associated with the unlawful use of controlled substances and the abuse of alcohol. “Excessive alcohol consumption and the abuse of drugs are just plain dangerous. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect your health and ability to function and think … Heavy drinkers and drug abusers are not only a danger to themselves, but to others—on the highways, at home, in the workplace” and at school. (“Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Abuse”, Buddy T. About.com Guide to Alcoholism, http://alcoholism.about.com/od/effect/u/Risks.htm#s1)

To assist the Curtis community in understanding and avoiding the perils of substance abuse, Curtis has a Drug-Free Awareness Program, that makes information available about: (1) the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse; (2) Curtis’s Drug- and Alcohol-Abuse Prevention Policy; (3) the availability of treatment and counseling for students who voluntarily seek such assistance; and (4) the penalties Curtis may impose for drug or alcohol abuse violations. As part of this program, Curtis issues an annual statement to students and employees concerning this policy. A copy of the statement, in addition to its distribution, is available in the human resources and benefits coordinator’s office for review.

Students are encouraged to meet with the staff of the Curtis Student Services Office or with the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service for assistance. Students should make an appointment with our mental health consultants if they feel they need professional counseling in this area.

Students should refer to the Curtis Code of Conduct for information about the student disciplinary procedure or meet with a member of the student services staff.

No Smoking. In compliance with applicable laws, smoking inside Curtis (all buildings), the bridges between its buildings, fire stairs, and near emergency exits is strictly prohibited. Smoking also is strictly prohibited outdoors within twenty (20) feet of any entrance or exit of any Curtis buildings, out of consideration for the health of Curtis students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This includes the entrances to 1718, 1720, and 1726 Locust Street, as well as the handicapped-accessible entrance to Field Concert Hall and all emergency exits.

Further, Curtis asks that cigarette butts be properly disposed of, rather than dropped outside the buildings as smokers enter. A cigarette-disposal container can be found on the sidewalk in Mozart Place at a safe distance from all entrances and exits, and we encourage all smokers to use it. We encourage all smokers to consider becoming nonsmokers.

Any person who is violating this policy will be informed that smoking is prohibited by law in those areas (referred to as the no-smoking areas) and will be requested to immediately refrain from smoking or leave the no-smoking areas. Applicable law provides for reporting to appropriate authorities if a person does not comply with a request to immediately refrain from smoking or leave the no-smoking areas. Any employee engaged in smoking in any building or facility of Curtis, or other no-smoking areas, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge from employment. The word “smoking” includes inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or other such device that contains tobacco or other smoke-producing products.