Drug Policy

Mount Aloysius College is a drug-free campus and students are prohibited from using illegal drugs and/or having detectible levels of drugs in their system. This policy applies to College-sponsored events and activities on-campus as well as off-site clinical or internship settings.

Many academic programs on campus require students to undergo random drug screenings prior to entering clinical/field experience sites. Students are expected to test negative on their drug screen to remain in compliance with College policy. College policy states "the use of illegal drugs and/or having detectible levels in the system is prohibited;" therefore, a positive drug test will result in dismissal from the academic program for one year.

If a student is attending an off-site educational experience (including, but not limited to: clinicals, practicum, internships, and externships) and tests positive on a drug screening, the student will receive a failing grade of F for the course associated with that educational experience. In addition, the student will be prohibited from continuing in that program and may not take courses in that major. A student may continue to participate in courses outside the major for the semester in which he/she tested positive.

In order to continue taking courses outside the major beyond the semester in which the student tested positive, the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students must receive verification that the student completed a certified drug treatment program prior to the start of the next semester’s classes and show proof of a negative drug test. After one year, a student may reapply for admission to his/her original program or another health-related program following the guidelines specified by the program in which they are interested in participating.

Students who participate in a urine drug screen that results in an undetermined or diluted result may be required, at the College’s discretion, to participate in an additional screening procedure, including but not limited to blood, hair, or saliva sampling. The student may be responsible for all retesting costs.

Students who have a positive test have an opportunity to appeal the test within three working days of being notified of the test results. Appeals should be in writing, should list the reason for appeal as noted below, and be sent to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students for investigation in conjunction with the agency conducting the screenings.

Appeals will only be considered by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students and the physician responsible for coordinating the screening process under the following circumstances:

A student may not appeal a positive urine drug screen result on the basis that the sanction includes dismissal from the program.