Students around campus were happy overall with how campus administrators and safety officials enforce rules and policies regarding campus drug violations.
In an effort to prevent substance abuse, most universities have a zero tolerance policy on drugs and criminal charges that are pressed on any individual found in violation of this policy. N.C . State is one of those universities.
“We do have a zero tolerance for drugs and will charge criminally as well,” Jon Barnwell , deputy chief of Campus Police, said.
Most students come to college having drunk alcohol in the past, according to University Health Promotion.
“A vast majority of first year students have had at least one drink in the past year, and 38 percent of first year students drank on at least one occasion within two weeks of being surveyed,” according to the health promotion website.
An educational program emphasizing the medical, psychological and legal consequences of the possession, use or distribution of drugs is a standard feature at student orientation programs.
“Given the statistics, N.C . State University requires all first year students under the age of 21 to complete AlcoholEdu for college. Completion of the program is required for spring semester registration. This two-part, online, science-based course provides detailed information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind,” according to the website.
Students who commit other minor violations are often not charged criminally. Instead they are educated by referring them to the University’s student judiciary council and the Office of Student Conduct.
Many universities also have a policy on tobacco, which restricts people from lighting up in public spaces within the campus for health and safety reasons. However, they do provide smoking zones within the campus where the restrictions do not apply.
For example, Shaw University in downtown Raleigh has a ban on all tobacco products, as they receive government subsidies for providing a smoke-free campus. N.C . State, however, has not instituted a smoke-free campus.
Apart from these policies, most campuses also have restrictions on vehicular movement within the campus. These policies are in the interest of public safety and ensures right of way for pedestrians within the campus.
Skateboards are also prohibited on most campuses as they are usually ridden recklessly and result in damage to pavements and railings. They also pose a danger to pedestrian safety.
“The most common policy violation on campus aside from criminal activity is skateboarding,” Barnwell said. “Most skate violations are typically warned for the first offense and in case of repeat offenders, appropriate action is pursued.”
The University has strict policies on equal opportunity and non-discrimination. These policies ensure that education and employment decisions of the students are based on their academic abilities and work performance, not on other factors.
There are also policies on sexual harassment, with specific guidelines dictating the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable interpersonal relationships between students, and also between students and faculty. The Equal Opportunities and Sexual Harassment policies protect against racial discrimination, reduce hate crimes, protect the interests of the community, and foster an environment conducive for learning. There are also policies in place to prevent the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted material. These are in place to check the photocopying and distribution of copyright material, either from books or from the internet.
Violations of these policies have serious repercussions which may include suspension, expulsion and criminal charges being pressed upon the violators in certain cases.
