Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 Source: Oklahoma Daily, The (U of Oklahoma, OK Edu) Copyright: 2005 The Oklahoma Daily Contact: http://www.oudaily.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1371 Author: Scooby Axson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?228 (Paraphernalia) OU DRUG POLICY STILL IN EFFECT OU's approximately 3,800 on-campus residents are affected. The new student alcohol policy has had mixed reactions, but many students are unaware that OU's drug policy even exists. Like the alcohol policy, students living in housing who violate OU's drug policy can face termination of their housing contract and possible expulsion from OU. The three-strike rule employed by the alcohol policy is not part of the drug policy, because drug policy violations are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The policy concerns the approximately 3,800 residents of Adams, Couch, Walker and Cate centers. Students who do not live in university housing but are caught with drugs on campus or involved in off-campus drug incidents are dealt with on a different basis, said Susan Sasso, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. Punishment for violations off-campus depends on the severity of the crime, Sasso said. "If the crime constitutes a threat to the safety and welfare of the university community, appropriate action will be taken under the student code based on this determination," she said. Disciplinary action can include probation, suspension and expulsion. Students caught with "paraphernalia, including bongs, clips, pipes" and other items used for preparing or consuming drugs will also be subject to disciplinary action, according to the Community Living Handbook. There has been one such incident involving students possibly in possession of drugs and paraphernalia this semester in which there was probable cause to make a report to Student Affairs, according to OU Department of Public Safety reports. The students involved, whose names have not been released, did not let officers search their room, according to the report. OUDPS Sgt. Gary Robinson said that because of the refusal, the incident immediately became a matter with OU. Robinson also said that because police didn't have physical evidence linking students to drug use or possession, the students involved probably will not be charged through the criminal sector, and that OU will probably take immediate disciplinary action. Robinson said he could not comment on details of the case but said it would be difficult to prosecute the students to the fullest extent of the law. "I am guessing that the university would not be as harsh as a municipal court on finding the burden of proof," he said. "In other words, the smelling of burnt marijuana would be more than enough to find guilt." The OU Student Code explains in detail what OU considers "Prohibited Conduct" in titles 15 and 16 of the code. Drugs are classified as narcotics, marijuana and controlled substances, including illegal prescription drugs. Students accused of breaking the code will have the chance to defend themselves through a judicial process. "Whenever possible, educational sanctions are put in place to allow the student an opportunity to show that he or she can comply with university policies, campus regulations and local law," Sasso said. Students with drugs or paraphernalia are subject to discipline, said Michael Heaton, assistant to the director of OU Housing and Food Services. "As far as housing is concerned, if something is brought to the resident adviser's attention or a student comes to us directly with information about drug use, we will take the necessary steps to remedy the situation," he said. "If we feel that there is any truth to drug use or possession that is a direct violation of the student code, and at the minimum the student's (housing) contract will be terminated." Heaton said the policy doesn't mean the students will necessarily be kicked out of OU residence halls for violating the OU drug policy because these cases are dealt with on an individual basis. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin