Division of Student Life : : Office of the Dean of Students

Wellesley College is committed to providing a healthy learning environment that facilitates the highest level of academic achievement and fosters the full development of all students. The campus community strives to support and promote safe and legal behavioral norms and standards.

A cornerstone of Wellesley's community life is respect for individual integrity. Personal honor, accountability, and responsibility, coupled with shared responsibility as community members to create and sustain a safe and vibrant environment, serve as the overarching principles that shape this policy.

The purpose of the policy is to clarify the individual and shared responsibilities of community members, define appropriate behaviors to help community members understand the college's responsibilities, to describe the college's response to hazardous or disruptive behavior, and to inform community members about the many resources available for addressing drug-related concerns and problems.

In accordance with state and federal laws, we specifically have established these priorities:

to stress safety, well-being, and individual accountability for all Wellesley College students
to provide an atmosphere free from coercion to abuse illegal or prescription drugs
to discourage and prohibit the illegal use of drugs or misuse of prescription drugs
to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of illegal and prescription drugs
to prevent problem behavior and to combat drug abuse
to provide prevention and intervention information and education for all students, faculty, and staff
to provide students with information about confidential on- and off-campus resources to address issues related to drug use and abuse.

Wellesley College emphasizes the responsibility of each community member to be law-abiding, knowledgeable, and thoughtful about any decisions regarding drug use.

The college provides information about drug use and abuse and urges all community members to take advantage of opportunities to become informed about the potentially harmful or negative effects of illegal drugs and the abuse or misuse of prescription drugs.
Individuals with concerns about their own use or another person's use of drugs are encouraged to seek confidential and private assistance on- or off-campus.
The college emphasizes that anyone who is experiencing potentially dangerous effects of drug use should seek medical attention. The safety and health of students is the overriding concern of the college. In cases of intoxication and/or alcohol or other drug-related poisoning, individuals are strongly encouraged to call for medical assistance for themselves or for a friend/acquaintance who is dangerously intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. In order to encourage those who may be in danger from alcohol or other drug-related poisoning, or alcohol or drug-related injury, to get proper assistance, no student seeking medical treatment for her alcohol or other drug-related overdose, or assisting another student in obtaining such medical treatment, will be subject to college discipline for the sole violation of using alcohol or drugs or of providing alcohol or drugs to the student they have assisted in obtaining treatment. All students treated for drug overdose will be encouraged to meet with either the health educator or a member of the Counseling Center.
In accordance with state and federal laws, the college will respect and protect the privacy of students, faculty, and staff who voluntarily seek assistance.

Students are expected to be responsible for their actions; to comply with federal, state, and local laws; and to respect the rights of all members of the campus community.

Violations of the Wellesley College Drug Policy or of any Commonwealth of Massachusetts or Town of Wellesley laws are subject to disciplinary action. Acts in violation of the Wellesley College Drug Policy that occur on campus will be subject to disciplinary action.

Additionally, acts in violation of the Wellesley College Drug Policy that occur off campus may be subject to disciplinary action.
By way of illustration, the Wellesley College Drug Policy prohibits the following actions:

No person shall possess or use illegal drugs or misuse/abuse prescription drugs.
No person shall be coerced, even subtly, to use illegal drugs or abuse prescription drugs.
No person shall drive under the influence of illegal drugs. This can result in criminal penalties.
No person shall provide illegal or prescription drugs to another individual.
No person shall manufacture, distribute, or sell illegal or prescription drugs.

It shall be a Category I violation of the Wellesley College Drug Policy for a person to possess and/or use drug paraphernalia. The Massachusetts State Law Chapter 94C guidelines as noted in Appendix E of the Alcohol and Drug Policy guide the determination of paraphernalia.

It shall be a Category Il violation of the Wellesley College Drug Policy for a person to possess or use illegal drugs or misuse/abuse prescription drugs.

It shall be a Category IIl violation of the Wellesley College Drug Policy for a person to provide illegal or prescription drugs to another individual.

It shall be a Category IV violation of the Wellesley College Drug Policy to manufacture, sell, distribute, or intend to distribute illegal or prescription drugs.

All students who receive referrals for violations of the drug policy will be required to appear before either the administrative chair of the hearing board and/or the full hearing board. In any situation in which impairment is deemed an aggravating factor in conjunction with a violation of the Honor Code, the individual may be charged with both an Honor Code violation and a drug policy violation

In general, the college reserves the authority to suspend, dismiss or expel from the college any student whose continuing presence constitutes a risk to the student's health and safety, or the general well-being of the college community. Any student who is suspended, dismissed or expelled from the college will have the suspension, dismissal or expulsion noted on her transcript. This is consistent with guidelines under the General Judiciary procedures.

Violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the alcohol and drug hearing board.

First Offense: A student found in violation will be required to attend a course of education with the health educator. She will also be placed on residential probation for a period of one calendar year from the date of the violation.

For a student placed on residential probation, subsequent violation of college policy will result in a further sanction, which may include the loss of privilege to live in college housing.

A student’s parent or guardian will be notified when a student is placed on residential probation for a drug violation. Parental contact will normally be in the form of a letter, though a student may request a three-way phone conversation (administrator, student, and parent).

Second Offense: A student found in violation will be required to have an individual consultation with the health educator and complete the recommended follow-up. She will also be required to meet with the associate dean of students and the director of residential and campus life and fulfill individually determined sanctions. The college will notify the student's parents or guardian of the violation.

Third Offense: Violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the associate dean of students in consultation with the appropriate Student Life staff.

A student found in violation will be required to attend a course of education to begin within 30 days of the violation. She will also be required to meet with the associate dean of students and the director of residential and campus life and fulfill individually determined sanctions. She will also be placed on residential probation for a period of one calendar year from the date of the violation. The college will notify the student's parents or guardian of the violation.

Violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the alcohol and drug hearing board.

Wellesley College invites all students, faculty, and staff to participate actively in efforts to maintain a safe campus community that promotes the well-being and academic success of all students. The college strongly encourages members of the community to utilize the wide range of campus resources and services available for addressing drug-related problems. Students seeking assistance through Health Services, Counseling Services, and alcohol or other drug education will receive confidential services in accordance with state laws. Wellesley College support services include:

Health Services - x2810 (nurse on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week according to the academic calendar)
Campus Police - x5555 emergency, non-emergency x2121 (available for assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Counseling Services - x2839 (confidential counseling during the academic year)
Health Education Services - x2821 (related health education and information)
Professional or student members of the Residential Life staff, including resident directors, house presidents, resident managers, and resident advisors
Student organizations providing related education and support:
- SAAFE Advocates (Sexual Assault Awareness For Everyone)
- OMHA (Organization for Mental Health Awareness)
- Mental Health Educators
- Sexual Health Educators
- Health Reps
- Peer Resource Advisors

In addition, there are many off-campus resources available to students, faculty, and staff including Al-Anon/Alateen (1.888.4AL.ANON) and Alcoholics Anonymous (617.426.9444).