As passed by the Board of Directors on April 29, 1999

The USCA does not condone the use or abuse of any substances or activities that contribute to substance abuse. The USCA endeavors to help any member end a substance problem.

A substance is any chemical that causes physical, emotional, or behavioral changes. This policy primarily addresses alcohol and controlled substances.

Substance abuse will not be tolerated and includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

Dealing or dispensing of substances on USCA property,

Use of substances in public areas,

Dangerous, threatening, belligerent, or hostile behavior do to the use of a substance,

Or any type of substance use that endangers the health and safety of members.

Any member who abuses drugs will be subject to USCA disciplinary measures up to and including termination. As a cooperative entity, the USCA strives to help any co-oper end a problem with substances.

All complaints will be handled confidentially and discreetly.

Those that believe that a member is abusing drugs can contact their house manager, or any Central Level Supervisor at 848-1936.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROCEDURES
As passed by the Board of Directors on April 29, 1999

I. USCA Substance Abuse Policy

The University Students’ Cooperative Association is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment. The USCA does not condone the use or abuse of any substances or activities that contribute to substance abuse. The USCA endeavors to help any member end a substance problem. We aim to have a community that respects individual’s rights.

II. Definitions

A. A substance is any chemical which causes physical, emotional, or behavioral change. This policy is primarily concerned with alcohol and controlled substances.

B. Substance abuse is using a substance and experiencing negative consequences. The abuser may not be aware of these negative consequences, which can range from health effects, the increased willingness to take a risk with health or safety, or any outcome that adversely affects another person or him/herself.

III. Dissemination of Information

On a semesterly basis, the Member Resources Department and the Education and Resources Committee will:

A. Publish and post copies of the substance abuse policy prominently in all living and work sites.

1. The Education and Resources Committee will update and distribute the Intervention Resource Handbook.

B. Notify all USCA staff, house and central level elected officers, and member resources staff of the substance abuse policy itself, and their role as potential contact people for reports/grievances.

C. Send written notification to all newly elected house officers detailing the Substance Abuse Policy and Procedure and appropriate responses to complaints.

D. Present the policy at manager trainings and inform them of who the central level contact person is.

IV. House Level Procedure

A. Houses will be requested to write a substance abuse procedure that can be enforced, or choose to have Central Office deal with substance abuse issues. The policy will be due to Central Office no later than the third week of the contract period. The house’s substance abuse procedure will be incorporated into the house’s bylaws, so that it need not be revised each semester.

B. House Level Substance Abuse Procedure must address the following points:

1. Who will the decision making body be? For example:

a. House council

b. Management team

c. Special committee made up of (please specify)

2. How will the voting procedure be done? How will you protect minority opinions?

a. Secret ballot

b. Hand vote

c. Quorum requirements

d. Eligibility to vote (Will the accused be present, is the complainant required to be present and/or vote)

e. Consensus voting

3. The names of the complainant and the accused must be kept anonymous.

How will you protect the identity of the person accused? The complainant? How will you ensure that confidentiality is maintained?

4. Options for the house to consider:

a. House Level termination

b. Clear and present danger termination (This is a determination made by the House Manager or House President, the General Manager and the USCA President)

c. Conditional Contract (must include individual’s commitment to end substance abuse)

d. Training and education from community resources for individuals and/or house

5. Who is responsible for notifying Central Level of the house’s decision(s)?

a. Appointed individual,

b. Elected official

6. The Member Resources Supervisor, with assistance from house members, will ensure compliance with the house’s decision.

V. Substance Abuse Related Offenses

A. If a member’s substance abuse:

1. Breaks either House/USCA rules,

2. Violates the rights of others,

3. Threatens life,

4. Or is in breach of a member’s contract,

then a member, manager(s) or the house may either opt to implement the house’s substance abuse policy or individually contact the Member Resources Supervisor.

B. The Member Resources Supervisor, house manager(s), complainant and a representative of an outside resource will meet to discuss the complaint and determine possible resolutions that the house members may choose. If the house manager is implicated, the house shall choose a neutral house member to attend the meeting. If the complaint is determined to be extreme and/or of a violent nature, a clear and present danger termination can be used in place of the house’s substance abuse procedure.

C. After the Member Resources Supervisor, the House Manager(s) and/or House President and the complainant meet to determine possible resolutions to a member’s substance abuse, the matter will be handled according to the houses’ substance abuse procedure within one week of the aforementioned meeting.

D. If the Member Resources Supervisor, the complainant, the house, and identified member(s) are unable to arrive at a satisfactory resolution within two weeks, further complaints will be reported to Central Office. An investigation/intervention will then be conducted after a complaint is filed.

VI. Investigation/Intervention

A. House members may first notify Member Resources Supervisor. The Member Resources Supervisor will work with the house and the member(s) alleged as substance abuser(s) to create a satisfactory resolution, as outlined in Section IV.

B. If no adequate resolution can be found after two weeks, an investigation shall be conducted by Central Office.

1. The General Manager or Cabinet, depending on their availability, can grant extensions if the house is in the process of resolving the issue.

2. When asking for an extension, the house will not refer to the individual in question in order to protect the person’s identity.

C. The Central Office fact finder/investigator shall be one of the following: 1) the Member Resources Supervisor, or 2) the Operations Manager, or 3) the General Manager, as appropriate.

1. S/he maintains neutrality.

2. S/he will conduct an investigation with consultation from outside professional assistance as necessary.

a. Receive the complaint, preferably in writing.

b. The investigation will take no longer than 1 week from the time of submission of the complaint to the submission of the preliminary report to Cabinet. Cabinet will grant extensions on a case-by-case basis.

c. In a private, non-confrontational meeting, inform the alleged abuser that a complaint has been submitted and he or she is under investigation. Interview him/her for his/her response to the complaint. Provide referrals and treatment options as appropriate. Inform him/her that the Member Advocate is available to assist him/her in responding to the complaint.

d. As appropriate to the particular circumstances, interview the named individuals and others who can be reasonably expected to have relevant knowledge.

e. Review independent documentation, as appropriate.

VII. Findings

A. The fact finder/investigator will make a preliminary finding based upon his/her investigation and s/he will:

1. Make a finding as to whether the member falls under the category of substance abuser and has committed the actions in question;

2. Present the preliminary report to Cabinet and the USCA General Manager;

3. Notify member of the finding, and advise him/her of the Member Advocate; and

4. Advise the member that written responses, if any, must be turned in within three (3) working days and will be forwarded to the Cabinet and the USCA General Manager for review.

B. The findings become final after Cabinet, with the USCA General Manager as a voting member, accepts the preliminary findings.

VIII. Resolution

A. The fact finder/investigator will also recommend appropriate action to address the complaint, which must be forwarded in writing to both Cabinet and the USCA General Manager, for review.

1. The Cabinet with the USCA General Manager, as a voting member, may accept these recommendations or offer their own.

B. The resolution of a complaint of substance abuse may take a number of forms depending upon the severity of the incident and the parties involved. These might include any one or combination of the following:

1. Conditional Contract,

2. Transfer from one living unit to another,

3. Loss of elected position,

4. Termination of employment,

5. Termination of membership (eviction),

6. Counseling, mediation, treatment and/or

7. Referral to state or local agencies as appropriate.

C. The USCA General Manager, or his/her designee, is charged with ensuring that the recommendation(s) are implemented.

D. After notification of Cabinet’s decision, the member will have three (3) working days to submit a written appeal to Cabinet. Only in the case of a termination of membership may an appeal go to the Board of Directors. At the Board of Directors, the defendant shall present the case. A Cabinet designee shall present the Cabinet’s decision and reasoning behind that decision. Decisions shall be based upon factual information and not on personalities.

E. All documentation and reports presented to Cabinet and to the Board of Directors shall not contain the names of individuals, which would permit identification. Official findings and recommendations, which identify individuals, will be kept by the Member Resources Supervisor as confidential records.

Addendum I.

A. Guidelines for Identifying Individuals Who May Need Support has a substance abuse problem includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Has the person’s work, schoolwork, workshifts or other responsibilities been neglected as the result of drinking/drug use?

2. Are other people concerned about this person’s drinking/drug use?

3. Does this person show a marked behavior change when under the influence?

4. Is your relationship with this person suffering because of his/her drug use?

5. Has the person’s health, work, or dependability deteriorated?

6. Has the person had legal or other problems, such as vandalism, DUI, fights?

7. Does this person contribute to a sense of unease or threatened safety?

8. Does this person continue to use despite negative consequences?

B. If a member may need support, resources are available from the Member Resources Supervisor at Central Office. S/he may also refer to the Intervention Resources Handbook that is available at every house and at Central Office.