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12.0 Behavioral Expectations re: Violence, Alcohol & Drugs

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The State University of New York at Canton is committed to creating and maintaining a learning, working, and social environment for all students and staff that is free from violence and illegal alcohol/drug use. The premise on which this program is built is that every act of violence and alcohol/drug policy violation will be met with strong disciplinary action. There is a need to send both a consistent and strong message that violence and illegal use of alcohol/drugs, and resultant behavior, will not be tolerated. We also have a responsibility to identify those who may have a problem and assist them in obtaining professional help.

  • Serving and/or purchasing alcohol for minors is a violation of New York State Penal Law and College Policy. Individuals involved in this conduct will face campus discipline and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
  • Individuals on the SUNY Canton campus appearing in public under the influence of an intoxicant will be considered publicly intoxicated. Public intoxication is a violation of this Policy. Public intoxication is based on the premise that a reasonable person would conclude that an individual is intoxicated. Students found to be in violation of this policy will be sanctioned.

Civility, understanding, and mutual respect toward all individuals are intrinsic to excellence in teaching and learning, to the existence of a safe and healthy workplace, and to the maintenance of a campus culture and environment that serves the needs of the constituencies supporting it.

12.1 Acts Of Violence

The College will not tolerate acts of violence towards other students, staff, community members, or visitors.

Any student who is involved in an act of violence on campus may be immediately placed on Interim Suspension pending the outcome of a hearing before the Student Faculty Hearing Board if deemed appropriate by the Vice President for Student Affairs. If the individual(s) are found to have committed an act of violence, thus a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, it could result in sanctions up to and including suspension from College for the balance of the current semester or subsequent semesters as appropriate with no special refunds.

For the purpose of this Policy, violence and threats of violence include but are not limited to:

  • Any act that is physically assaultive, or
  • Any physical or verbal threat, behavior or action which is interpreted by a reasonable person to carry the potential to
    1. harm or endanger the safety of others;
    2. result in an act of aggression; or
    3. maliciously destroy or damage property, or
  • Hazing

12.2 Alcohol/Drug Violations - Sanctions

When an individual is found to have violated the campus Alcohol/Drug policy the following actions will be taken:

The First Alcohol/Drug policy violation will result in the following minimum sanction:

  1. Mandatory completion of an online Alcohol/Drug Awareness Class ($30.00 charge);
  2. Automatic Residence Hall Probation for one year;
  3. Letter sent home to parent(s)/guardian(s) of any student under the age of 21;

The Second Alcohol/Drug policy violation will result in the following minimum sanction:

  1. Disciplinary Probation for the balance of the student’s attendance at SUNY Canton;
  2. Residence Hall Probation for the balance of their attendance at SUNY Canton;
  3. Mandatory attendance and participation in an eight-hour Alcohol/Drug Education Class ($30.00 charge);
  4. Letter to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of any student under the age of 21;

In addition, a second alcohol/drug policy violation may also result in any one, or combination of, the following sanctions:

  1. Immediate suspension and restriction from the residence halls for the balance of the semester with the requirement that the student return to the residence halls at the beginning of the next semester. Students suspended from the residence halls lose their preference in requesting their living location when they return to the residence halls.
  2. Relocation to another residence hall, per the assignment of the Director of Residence Life, with the restriction against entering the building from which they were moved.
  3. Assigned 50+ community service hours.
  4. Evaluation through Counseling.

The Third Alcohol/Drug policy violation will result in the individual meeting with the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or their designee. For any questions or need for clarification of this policy, please contact the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at studentaffairs@Canton.edu or 315-386-7120.

12.3 Alcohol and Controlled Substances

It is the policy of SUNY Canton that the unlawful use, possession, manufacture, dispensation or distribution of alcohol and controlled substances in all campus locations, including fraternity and sorority residences, is prohibited.

No student may attend class, and no employee will report for work or will work, impaired by any substance, drug or alcohol, lawful or unlawful. Individuals may possess and use a controlled substance that is properly prescribed for him or her by a physician, as long as its use causes no impairment. “Impaired” means under the influence of a substance such that the individual’s motor senses (i.e. sight, hearing, balance, reaction or reflex) or judgment either are or may be reasonably presumed to be affected. The term “controlled substance” is defined in Section 202 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 USC 812). Alcohol may be consumed or dispensed in public areas only as authorized by a permit issued by the College Alcohol Coordinator and in accordance with the Policies and Procedures Manual.

Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements and the Code of Student Conduct. Student violations will be a matter of attention by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Individuals may also be required to participate in and satisfactorily complete an approved drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program as a condition of continued employment or enrollment.

As a condition of continuing enrollment, each student shall abide by this policy and notify the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, in writing, of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring on campus or off campus, within five calendar days of such a conviction. The college is obligated to notify the appropriate federal contracting agency, if applicable, within ten calendar days of receipt of notice of a student conviction as noted above.

As a condition of employment, each employee shall abide by this policy and notify the Director of Human Resources, in writing, of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring off site or in the workplace or at the College worksite within five calendar days of such a conviction. The College is obligated to notify the appropriate federal contracting agency, if applicable, within ten calendar days of receipt of notice of an employee conviction as noted above. The College provides on-going drug and alcohol awareness educational programs, and dissemination of pertinent information will continue to occur for all members of the campus community.

Confidential counseling and referral for alcohol and drug maladies is available to students through the Counseling Center and Davis Health Services. Employees may seek services through the Employee Assistance Program.

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