Drug-Free Workplace and Drug-Free Schools and Communities

SPU is subject to the requirements of the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. The University strongly supports the 1988 and 1989 acts and consistently ensures compliance with them. SPU annually distributes information regarding the restrictions and consequences of violations of each act. Any student who has not received copies of the statements should contact the Office of Student Life in the Student Union Building (SUB), second floor, or Human Resources at 330 West Nickerson.

The purpose of SPU’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Policy is to support the educational mission of the University with standards of personal health, moral integrity, and social consciousness. The policy is also intended to provide guidelines for members of the University community who are sensitive to the varieties of Christian perspectives represented on campus, the Free Methodist Church, and the community at large. For some, this represents an area of personal liberty, but for others it is a stumbling block. In keeping with our heritage, we expect undergraduate students to refrain from the use of alcohol on and off campus — and to not involve themselves in situations where such activities are present — while they are members of the Seattle Pacific community.

The use of alcohol or tobacco on or off campus or at any of its activities will be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. An undergraduate student who is found to be exhibiting specific, objective signs of having consumed intoxicating beverages or illicit drugs, or of abusing prescription medications, will be subject to disciplinary action.

If the abnormal behavior resulted from prescription drug use in compliance with a physician’s instructions, then the policy may be waived. If the behavior is a result of drug abuse or alcohol use, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal and referral for prosecution. If the behavior results in a conviction of a violation of criminal drug or alcohol laws, the disciplinary actions will be dictated by the Drug-Free Workplace regulations.

If a student is required to complete a drug treatment and rehabilitation program as part of the disciplinary action resulting from a violation of this policy, official records of the diagnosis or treatment will be kept for three years in the student’s records. The file will be held in the strictest confidence and will be used only as evidence to governmental and granting agencies that the University did in fact take steps toward correcting the problem.