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The College of St. Scholastica does not condone the illegal or otherwise irresponsible use of alcohol. It is the responsibility of every member of the campus community to know the risks associated with alcohol use and abuse. This responsibility obligates student-athletes to know relevant College policies and federal, state, and local laws and to conduct themselves in accordance with these laws and policies. It should be understood that possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by individuals under the age of 21 is a violation of state law. Likewise, it is illegal for anyone to supply alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21.
A conviction, plea of guilty or no contest, a determination of responsibility, or an admission to any of the following will be deemed a violation of the Department of Athletics Policy:
- Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) or other motor vehicle violations involving alcohol or drugs.
- Public intoxication.
- Drunk and disorderly.
- Other violations of law involving alcohol or drugs, including possession.
- Violations of College policies involving alcohol or drugs.
Violations can occur at any point during a calendar year not just during the academic year.
Sanctions for involvement with alcohol under conditions prohibited by the Department of Athletics and/or team rules, but in which there are no legal implications, will be determined by the Head Coach and the Director of Athletics, and/or his/her designee on a case-by-case basis. Violations are cumulative for student-athletes during their career at CSS and will be tracked confidentially by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. Based on the severity of the violation (even a first violation) a student-athlete is subject to a verbal warning or up to suspension and/or removal from their team.
Violation One: Meeting with Head Coach and/or Director of Athletics (warning)
Violation Two: Meeting with Head Coach and Director of Athletics and MINIMUM of 1 game/contest/race suspension (the next date of competition)
Violation Three: Meeting with Head Coach and Director of Athletics and MINIMUM of 10% of season suspension and applicable to all sports in which the student-athlete participates. A suspension will carry over to the following season if needed (effective and served immediately)
Violation Four: Meeting with Head Coach and Director of Athletics and MINIMUM of 25% of season suspension and applicable to all sports in which the student-athlete participates. A suspension will carry over to the following season if needed (effective and served immediately)
Violation Five: Meeting with Head Coach and Director of Athletics and student-athlete MINIMUM of 365 day suspension (effective and served immediately)
Individual Team Policies
Each varsity athletics team at CSS may have a specific drug and alcohol code of conduct that addresses drug and alcohol violations. These drug and alcohol policies shall be in writing, consistent with the Department of Athletics and College policies, and approved by the Director of Athletics prior to being presented by the team’s Head Coach to the student-athletes of his/her respective team, prior to the start of their competitive season. Each student-athlete shall sign an acknowledgement form stating they have read and understand the specific team drug and alcohol policy. Sanctions contained in team policies which have not been written, approved and presented, as discussed above, will not be imposed. Team policies are separate from, and in addition to, the CSS Department of Athletics Alcohol policy. Sanctions contained in the department policy shall be the minimum sanctions governing student-athlete conduct. The Director of Athletics will review any sanctions imposed by the team policy in regard to the violation and may take these team-related sanctions into consideration when imposing Athletics Department substance abuse sanctions.
Right to Appeal
Student-athletes who are found to be in violation under the terms of the policy will be entitled to a hearing. Requests for such a hearing must be made within forty-eight (48) hours of notification of a violation and the sanctions imposed. If the 48 hours would end on a weekend, the request must be made by noon on the next business day. Requests must be in writing and received by the Director of Athletics.
The Director of Athletics will forward the request for a hearing to the Appeals and Reinstatement Committee. The Appeals and Reinstatement Committee is comprised of the Director of Athletics or his/her designee, the Faculty Athletics Representative, and the Dean of Students or his/her designee. The student-athlete may have an advocate or other representatives present if desired, but must provide an additional written release for that representative(s); however, the student-athlete must present his/her own case. The hearing should take place no more than 48 hours after the written request is received. Either the student-athlete or the other parties involved may request an extension of time to the Director of Athletics, who will consider whether to grant the extension upon a showing of good cause. These proceedings shall include an opportunity for the student-athlete to present evidence, to question adverse testimony and review the alleged violation. The proceedings shall be confidential.
The decision by the Appeals and Reinstatement Committee regarding the sanction to be imposed, if any, shall be final. The Director of Athletics shall inform the student-athlete of the committee’s decision in writing.