Tabor College Athletic Department Substance Abuse Policy (Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco)

Tabor College Athletic Department – Substance Abuse Policy (Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco)

I. Statement of the Problem

The Tabor College athletic department recognizes the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco as a significant problem on college campuses. This results in negative effects on behavior, relationships, academic performance, athletic performance and the overall experience for student-athletes. The use of these substances also negatively impacts our teams as well as the campus environment.

II. Statement of Education and Prevention

Our student-athletes represent their respective teams and the athletic department. The Tabor athletic department recognizes its role in educating and preventing drug, alcohol and tobacco use by student-athletes in an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle as part of this policy.

III. Statement of Purpose

The Tabor College athletic department policy on illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco has been designed to assist student-athletes in making decisions regarding their own health and safety and provide the consistent discipline needed.

IV. Baseline Discipline for Tabor College Student-Athletes

The following shall apply to all violations as defined by the athletic department. Each disciplinary action will affect the contest/practice dates immediately following notice of the infraction. This will include the beginning of the next season as applicable. All discipline is cumulative for the entire duration of the student-athlete’s career. What follows may be altered based on the nature of the infraction at the discretion of athletic department leadership.

1. Alcohol – (use/possession/purchase)

1st Offense – suspension from 5% (rounded down to the nearest whole number but no less than one full contest) of the number of regular season scheduled contests. The student-athlete may practice with the team during the suspension.

2nd Offense – suspension from an additional 10% (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of the number of regular season scheduled contests. The student-athlete may practice with the team during the suspension.

3rd Offense – suspension from an additional 20% (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of regular season scheduled contests. The student-athlete may not participate or be present for any team activities for 10 consecutive days.

4th Offense – immediate dismissal from all athletic department competitive involvement for up to one calendar year. (re-instatement requires approval of the head coach and VP of Athletics/AD)

2. Alcohol – (distribution to minors or hosting alcohol party)

1st Offense – suspension from 20% (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of regular season scheduled contests. The student-athlete may not practice or be present for any team activities for 7 consecutive days.

2nd Offense - immediate dismissal from all athletic department competitive involvement for up to one calendar year. (re-instatement requires the approval of the head coach and VP of Athletics/AD)

3. Illegal Drugs – (use/possession/purchase//positive test – marijuana is illegal in KS)

2nd Offense - immediate dismissal from all athletic department competitive involvement for up to one calendar year. (re-instatement requires the approval of the head coach and VP of Athletics/AD)

4. Illegal Drugs – (distribution)

Any Offense - immediate dismissal from all athletic department activities for one calendar year. (re-instatement following the year suspension possible with the approval of the head coach and VP of Athletics/Athletic Director)

5. Alcohol and/or Illegal Drugs (presence at alcohol/illegal drug parties without consuming)

Any Offense – the consequences are at the discretion of the head coach and the VP of Athletics/Athletic Director but can include up to dismissal from the team for a full calendar year.

6. Tobacco – (smoking, chewing and/or possessing – e-cigarettes included)

1st Offense – one day suspension from all team activities excluding outside competition.

2nd Offense – 2-day suspension from all team activities excluding outside competition.

3rd Offense – suspension from 5% (rounded down to the nearest whole number but no less than one contest) of regular season scheduled contests (the suspension extends to post-season contests as applicable). The student-athlete may practice with the team during the suspension. Additionally, the student-athlete will cooperate with student life professionals to create a recovery plan from addiction to tobacco. Any lack of cooperation on behalf of the student-athlete could result in an indefinite suspension.

V. Notes

1. All contest suspensions apply to off-season and post-season competitions.

2. If a student-athlete who has had an infraction, does not have any other infractions for an entire calendar year, he or she may move backward one step in the disciplinary process.

3. This policy is in effect both on and off campus in keeping with the Tabor lifestyle covenant definition. Additionally, the policy is in effect for post-season play after 1st and 2nd semester final exam weeks have ended as well as during fall camp prior to 1st semester classes beginning.

4. This policy is in effect during the entire calendar year for illegal drug use.

5. The head coach is responsible for the behavior of his/her athletes. Head coaches will review this policy with their teams at a team meeting early in the fall. The Vice-President of Athletics/Athletic Director or his designee will attend said meeting.

6. Each student-athlete will sign a form following the meeting stating that he/she understands the policy and will abide by it. An athlete will not participate if he or she does not sign the form.

7. Violations of these policies during road trips will result in an immediate 7-day suspension from all athletic department activities and potentially longer.

8. Disciplinary action from the athletic department does not prohibit the student-athlete from being sanctioned by the student life office. Student-athletes are held to a higher standard.

9. This baseline policy outlines the minimum consequences for policy violations. Additional penalties may be imposed depending on circumstances subject to the approval of the head coach and the vice-president of athletics/athletic director.

10. Should Tabor College initiate any kind of drug testing, student-athletes will be subject to the drug policies outlined in this document depending on the results of the tests.

11. Starting the 2017-18 academic year the NAIA has implemented PED testing at championship events. Tabor College athletes are expected to take personal responsibility to ensure they do not have banned substances in their systems. Part of this responsibility is to report to the Tabor athletic training staff any medications or supplements an individual athlete is ingesting.