As a requirement of the Drug-Free School and Campuses Act, Kalamazoo College is to disseminate and ensure receipt of the below information to all students and employees on an annual basis. Questions concerning information included below may be directed to Haley Mangette, Wellness and CARE Coordinator (Haley.Mangette@kzoo.edu).
Kalamazoo College Policies – Alcohol and Other Drugs
The mission of Kalamazoo College is to prepare its graduates to better understand, live successfully within, and provide enlightened leadership to a richly diverse and increasingly complex world. The Student Code of Conduct (also referred to as the Code) is rooted in this mission and in our mutually held principles freeing us to create an environment of living and learning that will foster understanding, mutual respect, intellectual curiosity, and social commitment. The Code describes minimal expectations, in the form of proscribed behavior, necessary to pursue our mission.
Alcohol Policy
General Information
Kalamazoo College’s alcohol policy is consistent with state law regarding alcoholic beverages and its commitment to helping students be responsible adults. Students twenty-one years and older who choose to use alcohol should do so in a responsible manner and in accordance with state law. Irresponsible drinking may adversely affect academic performance, interfere with personal relationships, or result in illness, injury or death. Drinking should be a considered choice that displays respect for oneself and for the community. Information about the impact of alcohol and treatment of substance abuse can be found in the materials sent to each student annually under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.
Summary of Michigan Law
It is illegal to purchase, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages unless one has attained the age of twenty-one. It is illegal to provide alcoholic beverages to or provide false identification for a person under the age of twenty-one. (Refer to state statutes for the most complete explanation of the laws of Michigan.)
The full Kalamazoo College Alcohol Policy and further information regarding the interpretation of the Policy can be found on the Alcohol Policy page of the Kalamazoo College Human Resources website.
Note: Students who seek appropriate help for others who are intoxicated or otherwise adversely affected by alcohol abuse are considered to be acting in the best interest of the student in need. In most cases, if the person seeking help for another is in violation of the College alcohol policy, they will be exempt from formal disciplinary action because they are acting in the interest of another. The College desires to exempt the student seeking help from formal disciplinary action; however, as every situation is unique, these matters will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if extraordinary or unusual circumstances alter the desired practice.
Drug Policy
The possession, use, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs or controlled substances, including but not limited to marijuana, LSD or any other hallucinogenic drugs, cocaine, Ecstasy, GHB, barbiturates or other depressants, amphetamines or other stimulants, or the misuse of any prescription drug constitutes a violation of federal, state, and municipal laws and College regulations. Further, the possession, use or sale of drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to pipes, and bongs, is strictly prohibited.
Though legal in Michigan, medical and recreational marijuana are not permitted on campus property. The College receives a great deal of federal funding for student financial aid, and federal restrictions on marijuana supersede Michigan state law. Simply put, permitting marijuana on campus may jeopardize the ability of the College to receive federal funding. Because of this, marijuana is prohibited on campus property.
The College reserves the right to involve the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in the possession, use, distribution, or sale of drugs or controlled substances. Should a student be suspected of distributing or selling drugs, the College will involve the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.
The Drug-Free Workplace policy is included in a provision of the Staff Handbook and in the Faculty Handbook.
Health Risks of Commonly Abused Substances
Please find information on Health Risks of Commonly Abused Substances or visit Annual Drugs-Free Schools and Communities Act Notification for a screen reader-friendly version.
Counseling and Treatment
Mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services are included in Kalamazoo College’s health plan. Through Kalamazoo College’s Human Resources department, Kalamazoo College’s Employee Assistance Program offers employees additional education and counseling, as well as appropriate referrals. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact each agency for additional information regarding specific services and costs.
Recovery and Employment
Addiction recovery is an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) covered condition. Learn how Kalamazoo College supports colleagues in recovery by contacting Human Resources or by visiting Accessibility in the Workplace.
Employee Sanctions
Kalamazoo College prohibits unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use, or being under the influence of a controlled substance in the workplace. In addition, students and employees of Kalamazoo College are prohibited from the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs or alcohol while on Kalamazoo College property or as any part of its activities. Furthermore, an employee must notify the College of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation relating to the workplace no later than five days after a such conviction has occurred. Employees violating such prohibition will be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment.
Michigan Sanctions, Penalties, and Health Codes regarding Alcohol and Controlled Substances
Find information on sanctions associated with violations of Michigan alcohol statutes in the Michigan Liquor Control Code Of 1998.
Find information on sanctions associated with driving under the influence in the Michigan Vehicle Code (Excerpt). For ease of understanding, the Michigan State Police have created this helpful resource, the Impaired Driving Law page.
Find information on penalties associated with drinking and driving under the age of 21 in the Office of Highway Safety Planning Alcohol Brochure.
Find information on public health codes regarding the manufacturing of controlled substances in Section 7401 of Michigan Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978.
Find information about the distribution of controlled substances in Section 7341 of Michigan Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978.
Find information on sanctions associated with the possession of controlled substances in Section 7403 of Michigan Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978.
Federal Drug Laws
The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited by federal law. Strict penalties are enforced for drug convictions, including mandatory prison terms for many offenses. The following information, although not complete, is an overview of federal penalties for first convictions. All penalties are doubled for any subsequent drug conviction.
Denial of Federal Aid (20 USC 1091)
Under the Higher Education Act of 1998, students convicted under federal or state law for the sale or possession of drugs will have their federal financial aid eligibility suspended. This includes all federal grants, loans, federal work-study programs, and more. Students convicted of drug possession will be ineligible for one year from the date of the conviction of the first offense, two years for the second offense, and indefinitely for the third offense. Students convicted of selling drugs will be ineligible for two years from the date of the first conviction, and indefinitely for the second offense. Those who lose eligibility can regain eligibility by successfully completing an approved drug rehabilitation program.
Forfeiture of Personal Property and Real Estate (21 USC 853)
Any person convicted of a federal drug offense punishable by more than one year in prison shall forfeit to the United States any personal or real property related to the violation, including houses, cars, and other personal belongings. A warrant of seizure is issued and property is seized at the time an individual is arrested on charges that may result in forfeiture.
Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (21 USC 841)
Penalties for federal drug trafficking convictions vary according to the quantity of the controlled substance involved in the transaction. If death or serious bodily injury results from the use of a controlled substance that has been illegally distributed, the person convicted on federal charges of distributing the substance faces a mandatory life sentence and fines ranging up to $8 million.
Persons convicted on federal charges of drug trafficking within 1,000 feet of a University (21 USC 845a) face penalties of prison terms and fines which are twice as high as the regular penalties for the offense, with a mandatory prison sentence of at least 1 year.
Please see Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties for amounts and offenses, or visit Annual Drugs-Free Schools and Communities Act Notification for a screen reader-friendly version.
Federal Drug Possession Penalties (21 USC 844)
Persons convicted on Federal charges of possessing any controlled substance face penalties of up to 1 year in prison and a mandatory fine of no less than $1,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. Second convictions are punishable by not less than 15 days but not more than 2 years in prison and a minimum fine of $2,500. Subsequent convictions are punishable by not less than 90 days but not more than 3 years in prison and a minimum fine of $5,000. Possession of drug paraphernalia is punishable by a minimum fine of $750.
Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine impose a mandatory prison term of not less than 5 years but not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000, or both if:
- It is a first conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams;
- It is a second conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams;
- It is a third or subsequent crack conviction and the amount exceeds 1 gram.
Civil penalties of up to $10,000 may also be imposed for possession of small amounts of controlled substances, whether or not criminal prosecution is pursued.