Alcohol & Drugs Standards of Conduct

Drugs

The University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture or distribution of illicit drugs on University property or at University sponsored activities. Besides their legal implications, these drugs are a health hazard and are incompatible with the philosophy and objectives of the University. TCU believes that any substance use may lead to undesired outcomes affecting an individual’s academic, personal, social, or environmental involvement. For complete information, please refer to HR 2.007 - Drug and Alcohol Abuse and HR 2.006 - Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Alcohol

Except for certain specified areas in University residence halls approved by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (see the University Calendar/Student Handbook for the student alcohol policy), and for specific events authorized by the Chancellor, President or Provost in University buildings, the consumption, sale or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the campus. The purchase or sale of alcoholic beverages by individuals is prohibited everywhere on the campus. Alcohol may only be sold by a vendor authorized by the University. Furthermore, no person may provide alcoholic beverages to any person younger than 21 years of age. The University also prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in all instructional settings including those remote to the campus.

The consumption of alcohol is permissible for persons of legal drinking age in parking lots immediately adjacent to Amon G. Carter Stadium when parking lots open for home football games. All parking lots will be open five (5) hours prior to kickoff. For games starting before 2:30 p.m., all lots must be cleared three (3) hours after the game. For games starting after 2:30 p.m., all lots must be cleared 90 minutes after the game or by 11 p.m. (whichever comes first due to city ordinance). Alcohol cannot be brought in the stadium at any time.

Alcohol and Drug Policy - International Travel

TCU employees must adhere to all applicable University policies. Please refer to TCU Global Programs Policy: Study Abroad and Study Away Programs.

Health Risks of Using Alcohol and Other Drugs

The effects of alcohol may vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors, including quantity and frequency of use, family history/genetic vulnerabilities, co-occurring physical and mental health issues, among others. Use of alcohol has been shown to cause serious health problems including:

Alcohol

Frequent or heavy use of alcohol can result in effects on brain development; cirrhosis of the liver; cancer of the liver; cancer of the mouth, throat, and pancreas; stomach ulcers; heart damage; lowered sex hormone production; and lowered immunity to infections and disease.
Alcohol use by pregnant women can also cause birth defects, lowered birth weight and/or severe psychological disorders.
Alcohol use is correlated strongly with other campus behavioral concerns: assaults, accidents, and other issues that impede student health/safety and academic success.
Use of alcohol is involved in half of all traffic- related deaths and permanent disabilities.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and symptoms of this disorder are linked to other serious mental illnesses and outcomes such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, and family conflict/strain.

Drugs

A drug is any chemical substance that changes the functioning of the mind and body, and drug use can cause harm not only the people who take the drugs, but also the people around them. Use of drugs has been shown to cause serious health issues including:

The use of illegal drugs, including but not limited to cannabis, cocaine, heroin, opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, psychedelics and so-called “designer drugs” has been shown to result in physical and mental disorders.
Lung damage (including lung cancer), lowered immunity to disease, memory loss, depression, flashbacks, lowered production of sex hormones, birth defects, low birth weight infants and severe psychological disorders may result from the use of drugs.
These drugs are highly addictive, both physically and The body builds a tolerance to such drugs so that larger and more frequent doses are required to satisfy the need for the drug.

For additional information on health risks associated with alcohol or drug abuse:

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Substance Use & Recovery Services

An employee who voluntarily seeks assistance to correct a drug or alcohol use problem will not be subject to disciplinary action as a consequence of such use. Even though voluntary assistance has been sought, the employee becomes subject to disciplinary action if the use continues. The Substance Use & Recovery Services office, located in Jarvis Hall, Suite 232, has a library of printed resources regarding drug and alcohol use. They can also provide a list of off-campus treatment facilities.

Employee Assistance Program

Individual and family problems can impact your life both at home and at work. When you face these challenges in life, it is nice to know there’s a place to turn. To assist you and your family in getting the help you need, TCU offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through ComPsych Guidance Resources, which is a confidential support service designed especially to help you with the issues that affect your life the most. TCU understands that your family members also may benefit from speaking with an EAP professional. That’s why the program is available to both you and your immediate dependent family members. To learn more about EAP, visit the website or contact Human Resources at askhr@tcu.edu.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The university applies the following schedule of disciplinary action against employees who violate the drug and alcohol policy:

The penalty for violation of the university's policy on drug and alcohol use may range from a reprimand to suspension without pay for an appropriate period or termination of employment. Violators who are not terminated may be required to complete an approved drug or alcohol use assistance or rehabilitation program. Failure to complete the program may result in immediate termination of employment.

Texas Christian University complies with the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 which applies to recipients of federal contracts and grants. TCU prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution,dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance (drug), as defined by the Act, in the workplace.

Compliance also includes University certification to the federal granting or contracting agency that a good faith effort is made to comply with all requirements of the Act.

Employees directly engaged in the performance of work under the provisions of a federal contract or grant must notify the TCU Human Resources office of any conviction for a criminal drug law violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after the conviction.
TCU must report to the contracting or granting agency such convictions within ten (10) days of the date the convicted employee reports such conviction to the university.
TCU, within thirty (30) days of receiving notice from an employee of a conviction for criminal drug law violation occurring in the workplace, must:
1. Take appropriate personnel action against the convicted employee, up to and including termination, or
2. Require the employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug-abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purpose by a federal, state or local health agency; federal, state or local law enforcement agency or other appropriate agency.
TCU must maintain a drug-free awareness program to inform employees working under the contract or grant about:
- the dangers of drug abuse in the work place;
- the University’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
- the availability of drug counseling and rehabilitation; and
- the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace.

Legal Sanctions for Illegal Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs

An employee who violates any of these alcohol or drug laws will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and will be subject to prosecution in accordance with the law. Legal sanctions for violation of local, state, and federal laws may include, but not be limited to: fines, probation, jail, or prison sentences.

Legal Sanctions for Illegal Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Texas State Law
Offense	Class/Degree	Punishment
Possession of a controlled substance	Class B Misdemeanor to First Degree Felony	Minimum: Up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 or both Maximum: 15 years to life in jail and a fine of up to $250,000
Possession or delivery of marijuana	Class B Misdemeanor to First Degree Felony	Minimum: 180 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000, or both Maximum: 5 years to life in jail and a fine of up to $100,000
Driving while intoxicated (alcohol or other drugs or both)	Class B Misdemeanor Class A Misdemeanor if BAC is equal to or greater than .15 Third Degree Felony if 2 or more prior convictions	Minimum: Confinement of 72 hours unless driver had an open container of alcohol in his/her possession in which case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of six days in jail. Maximum: 2 to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000
Public intoxication	Class C Misdemeanor If under 21 years of age, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code apply (Sections 106.071 and 106.115)	Fine up to $500 Fine up to $500 and attendance at an alcohol awareness program. Where the offender has previously been convicted twice for an alcohol -related offense by a minor, the punishment is a fine of $250 to $2,000, jail time of up to 180 days, community service of 8 to 40 hours, driver’s license suspension for 30 to 180 days and attendance at an alcohol awareness program.
Purchase, consumption, or possession of alcohol by a minor	Class C Misdemeanor	Attendance at an alcohol awareness program, and when the person has been previously convicted twice for an alcohol-related offense by a minor, the punishment is a fine of not less than $250 or more than $2000; confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or both the fine and confinement; community service of 8 to 40 hours; suspension of Texas Driver's License or permit for 30 to 180 days and attendance at an alcohol awareness program.
Sale of alcohol to a minor	Class A Misdemeanor	Fine up to $4,000, up to one year in jail, or both, 180 -day driver’s license suspension
Purchase of alcohol for a minor or furnishing alcohol to a minor	Class B Misdemeanor	Fine up to $2,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both
Misrepresentation of age by a minor to person selling or serving alcohol	Class C Misdemeanor	Attendance at an alcohol awareness program, and where the offender is a minor previously convicted twice for alcohol-related offenses, a fine of not less than $250 or more than $2000; confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or both fine and imprisonment; community service of 8 to 40 hours; suspension of Texas Driver's License for 30 to 180 days and attendance at an alcohol awareness program.

Federal Law
Offfense	Minimum Punishment	Maximum Punishment
Manufacturing, distribution or dispelling of illegal drugs	Imprisonment up to 3 years, and a fine of $250,000, or both	Life imprisonment (no parole) and fine up to $8 million (individual) or $20 million (other)
Possession of illegal drugs	Imprisonment for up to 1 year and a fine of not less than $1,000 or both	5 to 20 years imprisonment and fine of at least $5,000 plus investigation/court costs
Distribution of drugs to a person under 21 years of age	Double the federal penalty for distribution of drugs	Triple the penalty for distribution of drugs