Alcohol and other Drugs Policy Section V, Applicable University Sanctions
Students found responsible for drug and alcohol related offenses are subject to campus disciplinary action that provides for sanctions of varying severity. Sanctions are to “fit the crime” and be increase according to severity. Oklahoma City University will impose disciplinary sanctions on students (consistent with local, State, and Federal law) to those found in violation of this Alcohol and other Drugs Policy. The following is a non-exhaustive list[1] of possible sanctions for students as described in the University Code of Conduct
| WARNING | A notice in writing to the student that the student is violating or has violated institutional regulations; a copy of the notice shall be placed in the student’s discipline file. |
| PROBATION | A written reprimand for violation of specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be violating any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period. |
| LOSS OF PRIVILEGES | Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time. |
| FINES | Previously established and published fines may be imposed. |
| ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS FEE | Administrative fees associated with alcohol and/or drug violations. |
| ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG ASSESSMENT | In-person assessment conducted by Licensed Counselors in the University Counseling Center. |
| RESTITUTION | Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement. |
| DISCRETIONARY SANCTIONS | Community service, educational assignments, service to the University, or other related discretionary assignments/sanctions. |
| UNIVERSITY HOUSING SUSPENSION | Separation of the student from University Housing for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified. |
| UNIVERSITY HOUSING EXPULSION | Permanent separation of the student from University Housing. |
| UNIVERSITY SUSPENSION | Separation of the student from Oklahoma City University for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission will be specified. |
| EXPULSION | Permanent separation of the student from Oklahoma City University. |
| REVOCATION OF ADMISSION AND/OR DEGREE | Admission to or a degree awarded from the University may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or other violation of University standards in obtaining a degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation. |
| WITHHOLDING DEGREE | The University may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in the Student Code, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any. |
[1] Online Student Code of Conduct, section on Sanctions: https://www.okcu.edu/students/...
In assigning sanctions, the Student Conduct Officer will consider:
- The facts of the case, as presented;
- The type and severity of the misconduct;
- Mitigating factors;
- Impact of the misconduct;
- Respondent’s conduct history including probation status;
- Demeanor towards involved University employees; if applicable;
- The respondent’s willingness and/or ability to accept responsibility and
- Precedent, if applicable.
With those considerations, the following sanction charts may serve as a guide for sanctioning policy violations:
*1st Violation*
Alcohol contact and no behavior issues
- Oklahoma City University Police (OKCU PD) ticket & $100 fine
- AoD $100 fee (may be deferred)
- Warning letter
- Online alcohol module
- Educational essay (if needed)
- Online OCU alcohol assessment (if needed)
Alcohol contact and/or public intoxication and/or behavior issues
- OKCU PD ticket & $100 fine
- AoD $100 fee (may be deferred)
- Parental notification if under 21 (if needed)
- Online OCU alcohol assessment
- Educational essay (should reflect the violation and behavior of student)
- Conduct probation
*2nd Violation*
Alcohol contact and no behavior issues
- OKCU PD ticket & $100 fine
- AoD fee
- Parental notification (if needed)
- Referral for alcohol/drug assessment via OCU Counseling Center at own cost (if needed)
- Community service
- Conduct probation
Alcohol contact and/or public intoxication and/or behavior issues
- OKCU PD ticket & $100 fine
- AoD fee
- Parental notification (if needed)
- Referral for alcohol/drug assessment via OCU Counseling Center at own cost
- Community service
- Conduct probation
*3rd Violation*
Alcohol contact and no behavior issues
- OKCU PD ticket & $100 fine
- AoD $300 fee
- Completion of outside substance use assessment and any recommended treatment program, at own cost
- Parental notification
- Removal from OCU Housing (if needed)
- Suspension/removal from OCU (if needed)
Alcohol contact and/or public intoxication and/or behavior issues
- OKCU PD ticket & $100 fine
- AoD $300 fee
- Completion of outside substance use assessment and any recommended treatment program, at own cost
- Parental notification
- Removal from University Housing (if needed)
- Suspension/removal from OCU (if needed)
Other Considerations:
- Sanctions, for subsequent violations up to and including expulsion are at the discretion of the Dean of Students and his/her designee.
- Severe violations of the substance abuse policy, such as possession with intent to distribute, purchasing for a minor, destruction of property, or assault and battery while under the influence of substance use may subject the student to interim restriction, University suspension, expulsion and/or arrest.
- Any student who self-refers and is found to be addicted to any substance may not be suspended or expelled unless the behavior becomes a threat to the personal safety of themselves, or those around them[1]. If a student is determined to be under the influence and exhibits aggressive behavior or is deemed to be harmful to themselves or others, they may be transported to an inebriation alternative center as an alternative to county jail. If at any time during their visit they are uncompliant, they will automatically be transported to county jail.
- Students who violate the University’s Student Code of Conduct and present symptoms of drug and/or alcohol use/abuse can be referred to the Counseling Center for screening, as part of their sanctions.
- The University may take disciplinary action against a student who refuses to undergo drug and alcohol testing. The University will take no disciplinary action against a student, except for temporary suspension, until the first test result has been confirmed by an additional test. Any student has the right to an explanation, in confidence, of the test results and may obtain all information and records related to testing. Information related to drug and alcohol tests will be kept confidential and apart from other student records.
- The University reserves the right to notify parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students under the age of 21 about incidents related to alcohol and other drugs[2].
Oklahoma City University School of Law’s Exceptions to Alcohol Policy
The Oklahoma City University School of Law does allow alcohol for limited purposes and events on its downtown OKC campus, administratively regulated and at the discretion of the Law School Dean.
[1] Please refer to the University’s Medical Amnesty Policy, found in the University’s website.
[2] The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) specifies that if the student is under the age of 21 at the time of the disclosure, parents or guardians can be notified. FERPA was amended in 1998 to allow such disclosures. See § 99.31(a)15 of the FERPA regulations. Also, if the student is a "dependent student" as defined in FERPA, the institution may disclosure such information, regardless of the age of the student.
