Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989

The following information is provided by Geneva College in compliance with the Drug Free School and Campuses Act of 1989

Campus Community

Geneva College is a private Christian Liberal Arts College committed to the development of a Christian perspective in all curricular and co-curricular areas of learning. The College enrolls approximately 1400 students on the Beaver Falls campus with nearly 950 living in college housing. There are some 325 employees working for the College in various faculty, administrative, and service positions. The mission of the College is to educate and minister to a diverse community of students for the purpose of developing servant-leaders, transforming society for the Kingdom of Christ. All students and employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the mission and goal of the institution.

As a Christian educational institution, Geneva is committed to creating and fostering an academic, spiritual, and social environment in which its members grow in knowledge and responsibility. The presence and/or use of illegal drugs or alcohol by members of the College community is contrary to its mission and purpose. As a result, the College will respond to any known instances of alcohol and drug abuse. Geneva College prohibits the possession, use or sale of illegal drugs or alcohol on campus. In addition, we seek to educate faculty, staff, and students concerning the abuse of alcohol and drugs and will assist anyone who might have a drug or alcohol problem.

Educational Program

Under the direction of the Student Development and Human Resource staff, educational material and programs are available to all students, faculty, and staff. Various professional alcohol and drug counseling agencies within the community serve the College with formal educational presentations and assessment procedures. The purpose of these educational programs are threefold: 1) to provide general education concerning the inherent dangers and health risks associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs; 2) to provide a deterrent to drug and alcohol use; 3) to make information available for those who might identify as having a potential alcohol or drug problem.

Educational activities include a mandatory semester long alcohol education program for all incoming students, residence hall and campus wide programming, and online alcohol education. All members of the Geneva College community are encouraged to participate in these programs.

Assessment and Disciplinary Program

The College reserves the right to require assessment and/or counseling for any employee who demonstrates the effects of alcohol or other drug use or abuse in his or her social interactions and/or job performance. The assessment counselor’s purpose is to intervene in the lives of persons whose behavior, while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, is harmful or disruptive to themselves or others. Additional information is available in the Staff and Faculty Handbooks.

Students

Geneva College policy requires members of its student body to abstain from the consumption, possession, sale, or transportation of any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug while under the jurisdiction of the College, (i.e., on College property, at College sponsored events, or on College sponsored trips). Any student who consumes an alcoholic beverage or drug off campus, and then returns to campus, is in violation of college policy and will be subject to disciplinary action.

As noted in the Student Handbook, drug and alcohol violations are referred to the College Judicial System. The recommended sanctions for a first time alcohol violation could include: community service; a campus confinement for one week; a $75 fine; and probation. Further alcohol violations could result in notification of parents, counseling at one’s own expense and/or suspension/dismissal. The normal sanctions for a first drug violation could involve: the student’s parents being notified; a suspension from the College for a specified period of time; a professional assessment done at the student’s expense before he/she can return to campus; and probation. Further drug violations could result in permanent dismissal.

For further details on student conduct policies and disciplinary procedures, see the Student Handbook.

Legal Sanctions Under Local, State and Federal Law

According to Pennsylvania law, a person is guilty of a violation of Statute 6308 if he/she, being under the age of 21 years, knowingly and falsely represents himself/herself to be 21 years of age to any licensed dealer or other person, for the purpose of procuring or having furnished to him/her any potentially intoxicating liquor.

All law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania are required to notify the parents or guardians of any person under the age of 21 years who has been charged with violating 18 PA c.s. 6308 as it relates to possession, consumption, purchase, or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

Conviction for a violation of Statue 6308 carries the following penalties: a) First Offense - $300 fine and loss of driver’s license for 90 days; b) Second offense - $500 fine and loss of driver’s license for 2 years.

Conviction for a violation of Statue 5505 (public drunkenness) carries a penalty of a $300 fine. A person is guilty of a summary offense if he/she being less than 21 years of age, attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, or transports any alcohol, liquor, or malt or brewed beverages. Any fine under this section of civil law is decreed to be paid to the local government of the area in which the offense was committed. Maximum penalties are: $300 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if he/she, knowingly, willfully and falsely represents a minor to be of legal age to any licensed dealer or other person, for the purpose of buying or securing any intoxicating liquors. Maximum penalties are: $2,500 fine and/or 1 year in jail.

It is a misdemeanor for any person to sell, furnish, or give to any minor under twenty-one years of age any malt or alcoholic liquor. The penalty for such a conviction is a $100 to $300 fine or three months in jail.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania (.08 blood alcohol content) is a misdemeanor of the second degree and the court will impose a fine of not less than $300 and a minimum term of imprisonment for not less than 48 hours for the first offense. In addition, a mandatory revocation of driving privileges for a period of not less than one month, but not more than 12 months is associated with an initial conviction. Intoxication is not recognized in Pennsylvania as a legal defense in criminal cases.

In Beaver Falls: City ordinance, #1316, section 3, states: Drinking of Intoxicants is unlawful in the streets, alleys, public grounds, and vacant lots of the city. Fine: Maximum penalties are a $600.00 fine and 30 days in jail.

Drugs/Controlled Substances

In June 1972, Pennsylvania adopted the Uniform Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. This act reduced most drug violations to the class of misdemeanor. One of the major exceptions is the distributing of drugs by a person over 21 years of age to a person under 18 years of age, who is at least four years his/her junior. This violation is the most heavily punishable under this act. The act provides that the possession of a small amount of marijuana only for personal use; or possession of a small amount with intent to distribute but not to sell; or the distribution of a small amount but not sold, carries a maximum sentence of 30 days and a maximum fine of $500. A small amount is defined as 30 grams or less of marijuana and 8 grams or less of hashish.

The acquisition, obtaining, or possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge is a felony and carries a sentence of imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not to exceed $250,000 or both.

The retail sale or dispensing of any controlled substance listed in Schedules I, II, III, and IV of Act 64 of the State of Pennsylvania to any person except one authorized by law to sell, dispense, prescribe or possess such a substance is a misdemeanor and carries a sentence not to exceed one year imprisonment, and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000 or both.

Geneva College respects and upholds all civil laws.

Health Concerns

Drinking alcohol contributes to health problems including diseases of the liver, digestive tract, and respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.  In addition, accidents and violence are highly correlated with alcohol and drug use and abuse.  Adverse consequences of drug abuse include and increased risk of morbidity and diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS, as well as the potential for developing drug dependency.  Substance use can also lead to academic problems, injuries, campus crime, legal problems, fights, and interpersonal problems.