Linfield University is a drug-free University and workplace. These regulations are part of the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. The regulations require that, as a condition for receiving federal financial assistance, an institution of higher education must certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by its students and employees on school premises or as part of any of its activities.

 Violations of this policy include the following:

• Any member of the University community who uses, is under the influence of, manufactures, possesses, has under their control, sells, furnishes, or facilitates the use of a narcotic or dangerous drug or misuses prescription medication, is subject to disciplinary action up to and possibly including separation from the University. This includes the possession or use of marijuana, marijuana oil, food products, cannabidiol, (hemp oil permitted if stored in original container), etc. 
• Any actions that violate University policy while under the influence
• Furthermore, a person who manufactures, possesses, sells, distributes, or facilitates the use of narcotics or dangerous drugs, or who is found under the influence of narcotics or dangerous drugs is in violation of the law and can be subject to severe penalty by a criminal court.
• Because drug use is a hindrance to success in college, the University will treat any violation of any University policy, state, or local drug laws on or off campus by students as a violation of the University drug policy. Law Enforcement may be contacted at the University’s discretion.

For students, minimum responses to drug policy violations are as follows:

• First violations result in a meeting with a representative from the Dean of Students’ Office and a requirement to complete an education program, which may be at the student’s expense.
• Second violations result in a meeting with a representative from the Dean of Students Office to determine the need for an educational response and/or referral to a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
• Third violations may result in a recommendation for suspension from the University.

These represent minimum sanctions; other sanctions are available to Administrative Hearing Officers based on the individual circumstances of the particular policy violation(s).

If drug use results in a health risk or hospitalization, the University may notify emergency contact(s).

Additional sanctions may be imposed for situations such as:

• Violations of local, state, or federal drug laws
• Hosting a function that involves any drug violation
• Furnishing drugs
• Tampering with smoke detectors
• Disruption of community
• Unreasonable or excessive noise
• Lack of respect for or cooperation with responding authorities
• Providing false ID or misrepresentation of age or name
• Physical or verbal abuse of staff or police
• Leaving without providing identification

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

• Community restitution hours
• Educational programs
• Exclusion from University residence halls or apartments
• Probation
• Separation from the University (suspension and/or expulsion)

Repeated and/or more severe violations of this policy will be associated with progressive sanctioning.

Students who struggle with drug addiction, or who develop a potential for such a problem are encouraged to seek assistance in the Health & Counseling Center in Walker Hall 103 in McMinnville, or contact the Portland Counseling Staff at pdx-counseling@linfield.edu.  Employees should seek assistance through the EAP via the Human Resources Office.

Furthermore, a person who manufactures, possesses, sells, distributes, or facilitates the use of narcotics or dangerous drugs, or who is found under the influence of narcotics or dangerous drugs is in violation of the law and can be subject to severe penalty by a criminal court.

Drug Paraphernalia

Drug paraphernalia found in possession of persons under the age of 21 will be confiscated and destroyed by Linfield Public Safety, regardless of the value or suspected ownership. This includes, but is not limited to: bongs, grinders, pipes, vapes, bottles, or any other equipment, product, or accessory that is intended or modified for the use, consumption, or storage of federally illegal drugs.

Drug paraphernalia found in possession of persons over 21 will be confiscated and held by Linfield Public Safety. At the discretion of the Director of Linfield Public Safety, confiscated items may be returned to the person as long as they are removed from Linfield property. A receipt for the returned item(s) will be issued to the student by Linfield Public Safety. This includes, but is not limited to: bongs, grinders, pipes, vapes, bottles, or any other equipment, product, or accessory that is intended or modified for the use, consumption, or storage of federally illegal drugs.

McMinnville Residence Life & LPS Response Protocol

Steps used by staff when responding to possible policy violations may include (depending on the specific circumstances, the order of these steps or the entire process may change as the situation warrants):

• Staff will knock on the door and announce who they are. Those residents present need to respond and answer the door. Failure to respond in a timely manner will result in an additional knock and an announcement that Residence Life or LPS will be entering the room or apartment.
• Students that live in the room or apartment will be asked to turn down the music and to speak with a Residence Life or LPS staff member (if this started as a noise issue). It will be explained to them that there is a concern that there may be a possible violation of Linfield policy.
• Students will be informed that they are responsible for all individuals in their room or apartment (including the balcony and/or patio) and that all University policies (including alcohol) must be followed.
• If alcohol and/or drugs are present or staff believe that there may be other policy violations in the room or apartment it may be searched at this time. In drug cases, students can work with the University or the police. The police will be called in to help search a room if students are not cooperative or if the University believes additional assistance is needed.
• Student IDs and/or driver’s licenses (if alcohol is present) will be checked in an orderly fashion. If no ID is available, students will be asked to wait until the staff finishes with everyone else, the student will then be accompanied to their room/apartment to see proper ID.
• A student’s entire room or apartment (all rooms) will be searched during the ID check process to make sure that all students are properly checked for ID.
• If all present are of legal drinking age, students will be informed that the staff will be returning to check on the apartment/room, and if at that time noise is still a problem the staff will ask that all non-residents leave the room or apartment.
• If any illegal substances are present, staff will collect all names of people present, and the illegal substances will be confiscated and turned over to the police. If marijuana paraphernalia is confiscated and the resident of the room/apartment is 21 years of age, they may appeal to the Director of Linfield Public Safety to arrange a time to pick up the items from LPS and remove them from campus.
• If minors are present and wish to volunteer for a breathalyzer, LPS will administer this test. Breathalyzers requested after the conclusion of the incident or after a student has left the scene of the incident will not be administered or serve as a demonstration that an individual has not consumed alcohol. It is the responsibility of the student to request a breathalyzer.
• If all minors present can demonstrate that they have not consumed alcohol through the use of a breathalyzer, students will be informed that the staff will be returning to check on the apartment/room, and if at that time noise is still a problem (if this was initially a noise complaint) the staff will ask that all non-residents leave the room or apartment.
• If any minor does not submit to a breathalyzer or if any minor does not pass the breathalyzer then all non-residents of the room or apartment will be asked to leave after an ID check.
• If any resident of the room or apartment is under the legal drinking age (under 21) and cannot demonstrate that they have not been drinking by volunteering for a breathalyzer, then all containers of alcohol, regardless of whether they are open or not, will be confiscated and dumped down the most convenient drain. All alcohol bottles will be recycled when possible. The student can expect to be contacted by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for University policy violation(s).
• If an alleged policy violation has occurred, all students’ names will be sent to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for determination of the appropriate conduct review process.

Drug-Free School and Community Act