Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

Lamar University partakes in the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act which requires that every institution of higher education (IHE) receiving federal financial aid must adopt and implement a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees both on its premises and as a part of any of its activities. The Department of Education regulation at 34 C.F.R. "Part 86", implements this provision, requiring that colleges and universities such as Lamar University must 1) distribute certain drug and alcohol prevention information to students and employees every year (known as our "Policy Notification") and 2) conduct a Biennial Review of illicit drug and alcohol prevention programs every other year.

At a minimum, instititutions of higher learning must distribute the following in writing to all students and employees:

• Standards of Conduct for alcohol and drug use
• Description of legal sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol
• A description of any drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available to employees or students
• A clear statement that the institution will impose sanctions on students and employees and a description of those sanctions, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution, for violations of the standards of conduct.
• The law further requires that the institution conduct a biennial review of its program with the following objectives
  1. determining the effectiveness of the policy and implementing changes to the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) program if they are needed; and
  2. to ensure that the sanctions developed are enforced consistently.

Details of the Policy Notification

All students, faculty, and staff are required to read this notification annually.  

Lamar University further provides education to the LU students by requiring that all incoming freshman and new students at LU complete modules prior to the start of their first semester. These modules are assigned to each student via their Lamar University email.

Biennial Review

What is it: Lamar University conducts a systematic review of its AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) programs to determine effectiveness and the consistency of sanction enforcement, in order to identify and implement any necessary changes. The Department of Education recommends that institutions of higher learning conduct the biennial review in even-numbered years and focus their report on the two preceding academic years.

Why is it important: The Biennial Review process, next occurring in 2024, brings together multiple individuals, departments, and programs who have an investment in helping promote a healthy and safe environment for all students. Additional benefits to conducting this review include:

• Promoting and sharing data and information regarding student beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors
• Learning the impacts of  AOD programs, interventions, services, and policies
• Promotes collaboration between departments and individuals
• Opens up doors for voices to share good news about improvements regarding the efforts and successes taking place in their departments and in their spaces on campus
• Provides an opportunity for advocacy for changes where they may be needed
• Keeps the university accountable for ensuring that improvements are always being sought and recommendations made are being carried out during future academic years

Documents

Annual Policy Notification

Biennial Review 2020-2022

Student Code of Conduct 

Faculty and Staff Policies 

Relevant Contacts

Assistant Vice President, Human Resources and Talent Management
Marsha Worthy
Marsha.Worthy@lamar.edu 
 
Assistant Vice President of Health, Wellness, and Accessibility
Shawn Gray, MSN, RN ACNP-BC
rooneysf@lamar.edu 
 
Deputy Chief of Campus Operations & Chief of Police
Dr. Hector Flores
HFlores1@lamar.edu