Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs

Baylor University policy prohibits the unlawful manufacture, possession, use, sale, transfer, or purchase of a controlled substance or another dangerous drug such as a controlled substance analogue (designer drug) on or off the campus. It is also a violation of University policy for anyone to possess, use, or be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage on the campus or at a University-related activity off campus. An off-campus University-related activity is defined in the process for student organization violations. Anyone violating these policies is subject to disciplinary action ranging from warning to expulsion.

The University believes that spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development has their greatest growth free from mind-altering chemicals. Its goal is to provide an environment where the entire campus community is challenged and motivated to live a chemical-free lifestyle.

As a first step toward reaching that goal, the University makes every effort to seek full compliance with University policy and federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; to discourage by every means possible the use of alcohol; to promote sobriety; to provide social and recreational alternatives to the use of alcohol and other drugs; and to offer confidential, effective, and redemptive assistance to employees and students who seek help for substance misuse, while focusing on the development of a comprehensive program of non-residential services.

Because the University is committed to a caring relationship among its students, staff, faculties, administrators, and regents - a caring that is characterized by understanding, forgiveness, and respect for individuality - its disciplinary procedures are intended to be constructive and redemptive. For students who seek help for substance misuse, complete confidentiality will be strictly observed to the limit of the law. Insofar as federal and state statutes and professional ethical standards permit, no professional on the Baylor counseling or medical staff will in any way notify the administration of the name of a specific student who comes for assistance for substance misuse or any other type issue, and no records will be forwarded to the administration regarding the services or the problem.