Athletics Substance Abuse
Athletics Substance Abuse Policy
Purpose
The educational ideals of the University of Dayton (the University) stress the development and integration of the total person: mind, body, and soul. The mastering of athletic skills and the challenge of intercollegiate competition make a positive contribution to the development and integration of the whole person. Alcohol and drug abuse are serious impediments to growth, development, and integration. It is the University’s goal to create an educational environment which encourages the responsible use of alcohol and prescription drugs and seriously discourages alcohol and drug abuse.
The University has built a reputation for a high quality athletic program and it is a privilege for the student-athlete to represent the University in intercollegiate athletics. University of Dayton Athletics Division has a responsibility to promote the health and safety of student-athletes and to ensure fair intercollegiate athletic competition.
Scope
This policy applies to all student-athletes.
Policy History
I. Effective Date: August 6, 1987
II. Approval: November 28, 2018
III. History:
- Approved in its original form: August 6, 1987
- Approved as amended: January 3, 1996
- Approved as amended: September 5, 2000
- Approved as amended: November 28, 2018
IV. Maintenance of Policy: Vice President and Director of Athletics
Definitions
(a) “Student-athlete” is a student who participates or is a prospective participant in any capacity in any intercollegiate athletic activity administered by the University of Dayton Athletics Division.
Policy
The Athletics Substance Abuse Program shall consist of the following activities, services, and sanctions:
1. Informational and Educational Activities administered by the Division of Athletics consisting of providing information about substances and educating student-athletes as to the psychological and physical effects resulting from the use/misuse/abuse of such substances.
2. Counseling services administered by the University Counseling Center consisting of problem awareness and assessment sessions, and follow-up counseling sessions providing assistance through professional counseling to student-athletes in their efforts to cease the use/misuse/abuse of substances.
3. A testing procedure administered by the Associate Director of Athletics in charge of the Substance Abuse Program and the Drug Testing Coordinator to identify student-athletes who have used banned substances.
4. Administrative procedures administered by the Division of Athletics if a student-athlete has a confirmed positive test result; or a third confirmed positive test result during the same academic year.
5. Sanctions, and the procedures for the imposition thereof, applicable to student-athletes who refuse or otherwise fail to be tested or whose test results are confirmed positive. Specific sanctions are as follows:
a. A first confirmed positive test result or a report from any authoritative agency will result in a minimum of 10 hours of community service. This sanction may increase depending on the history of the student-athlete involved and/or the nature and type of substance abuse participated in.
b. A second confirmed positive test result or a report from any authoritative agency will result in a minimum of 20 hours of community service or a suspension of a minimum of one contest (if in-season). Additional counseling/treatment may also be ordered.
c. The student-athlete will be dismissed from all athletic teams and will lose his/her athletic scholarship under the following circumstances:
i. A third confirmed positive test result.
ii. A material and substantial failure to participate in the Substance Abuse Program, including the refusal or failure to provide a specimen when and where requested.
d. Coaches may add appropriate sanctions to those of the Athletics Division for first and second offenses
e. Failure to participate in Testing Procedures will result in a student-athlete be denied the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletic activities. Nothing herein contained supersedes or modifies any other procedure which may be applicable or sanction which may be imposed by the University of the Athletics Division or University disciplinary process resulting from the sale, transfer, or use of illegal substance or the use/ misuse/abuse of any substance.
6. Appeal procedures to safeguard the inherent fairness of this Substance Abuse Program as it is applied to an individual student-athlete.
7. Confidentiality as to matters uniquely involving an individual student-athlete (such as test results), and, at the same time, to achieve the objective of the Substance Abuse Program. Participation in this Substance Abuse Program is a prerequisite for team membership in all intercollegiate athletics at the University. A substantial and material failure to participate will result in dismissal from all athletic scholarship at the end of the current academic year. Prior to and as a condition of team membership in all intercollegiate athletics at the University, student-athletes are required to file a Consent and Release of Liability form with the Drug Testing Coordinator.