The University of Oklahoma recognizes its responsibility as an educational and public service institution to promote a healthy and productive environment. This responsibility demands implementation of programs and services facilitating that effort. The university is committed to a program to prevent the abuse of alcohol and the illegal use of drugs and alcohol by its students and employees. The university program includes this policy, which prohibits illegal use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, on university property, or as part of any university-sponsored activities. In order to meet these responsibilities, university policy:
- Requires all students and employees to abide by the terms of this policy as a condition of initial and continued enrollment/employment.
- Recognizes that the illegal use of drugs and alcohol is in direct violation of local, state, and federal laws as well as university policies included in this policy, the Staff and Faculty Handbooks, and the Student Code of Responsibility and Conduct. University policy strictly prohibits the illegal use, possession, manufacture, dispensing, or distribution of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances in the workplace, on its premises, or as a part of any university-sponsored activities.
OU is required to comply with federal policy that does not allow the unlawful use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs, including marijuana, on campus or at University-sponsored events and activities. Students and employees cannot consume, smoke, or possess marijuana on campus even though they might have a medical marijuana license, card, or prescription permitting them to do so. For more information, please see OU's Statement on Marijuana Use.
- Considers a violation of this policy to be a major offense, which can result in a requirement for satisfactory participation in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, referral for criminal prosecution, and/or immediate disciplinary action up to, and including, termination from employment and suspension or expulsion from the university. A criminal conviction is not required for sanctions to be imposed upon an employee or student for violations of this policy.
- Recognizes that violations of applicable local, state and federal laws may subject a student or employee to a variety of legal sanctions including but not limited to fines, incarceration, imprisonment and/or community service requirements. Convictions become a part of an individual's criminal record and may prohibit certain career and professional opportunities. A current listing of applicable local, state, and federal sanctions can be obtained through the Office of Student Affairs and Human Resources.
- Requires an employee to notify his/her supervisor in writing of a criminal conviction for drug or alcohol-related offenses occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days following the conviction.
- Provides access to the university's Employee Assistance Programs and Student Counseling Services for counseling and training programs that inform students and employees about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Voluntary participation in, or referral to, these services is strictly confidential.
- Forbids an employee from performing sensitive safety functions while a prohibited drug is in his/her system.
- Mandates drug testing of sensitive safety employees prior to employment, when there is reasonable cause, after an accident, on a random basis, and before returning to duty after refusing to take a drug test or after not passing a drug test (Sensitive safety employees are defined in CFR Volume 32, Part 280 and CFR Volume 49, Part 653. This legislation is available for review in Human Resources).
- Provides for annual distribution of this policy to all staff, faculty, and students.
Health risks generally associated with alcohol and drug abuse can result in, but are not limited to, a lowered immune system, damage to critical nerve cells, physical dependency, lung damage, heart problems, liver disease, physical and mental depression, increased infection, irreversible memory loss, personality changes, and thought disorders. The university's Employee Assistance Programs and Student Counseling Services staff are responsible for informing students and employees about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and the availability of counseling and rehabilitation programs.
The appropriate provost or executive officer is responsible for notifying federal funding agencies within 10 calendar days whenever an employee is convicted of a drug-related crime that occurred in the workplace. This policy is based on the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 (P.L.100-690, Title V, Subtitle D) and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (P.L.101-226) and is subject to the grievance procedure as stated in the Staff and Faculty Handbooks and the university discipline system as outlined in the Student Code of Responsibility and Conduct.