University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol

Policy Number: 03.0006

Introduction

At The New School, we seek to foster the intellectual, artistic, and social development of our diverse student body and to create and maintain a community in which principles of fairness, civility, and diversity are upheld. The university seeks to promote a drug-free campus that respects the community at large. If alcohol is to be consumed, it must be done so legally, responsibly, and with respect to others in the community. We expect all members of the university community to adhere to university policies and rules, as well as federal, state, and local laws concerning drugs and alcohol.

Purpose

The policy has been formulated out of care for and the well-being of faculty, students, and staff and is designed to promote and maintain an environment conducive to the educational values, principles, and objectives of the university, as well as to cultivate awareness among all members of the university community in regard to alcohol and drug abuse.

It is also intended to encourage individuals to be sensitive to and considerate of the needs and feelings of other persons, including those who lead a substance- or alcohol-free lifestyle.

The university strictly adheres to federal, state, and local laws such as the Federal Controlled Substances Act, Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, New York State Penal Law, New York State Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, and Zero Tolerance Law. The university community is encouraged to familiarize themselves with these and other laws, regulations, and legal sanctions related to drug and alcohol use.

The New School encourages the community to understand the health risks associated with substance use, misuse, and abuse. Students and employees should also familiarize themselves with available counseling and educational programs to identify and help those who experience difficulty with drugs or alcohol. See Substance Use Services and Assistance Programs for details.

Scope

This policy applies to all faculty and staff (collectively “Employees”) and students of The New School.

Definitions

• A University Event is a gathering or activity which is affiliated with The New School, defined as meeting at least one of the below criteria:
• Conducted under the name of The New School or one of its colleges, schools, institutes, departments, clubs, or other university organizations
• Paid for, even partially, by university funds
• Organized by university students, faculty, or staff
• Endorsed by the university by sending students, staff, and faculty to participate as official university representatives
• Workplace includes any property, building, office space, other property, or vehicles owned, leased or operated by the University. It also includes any other site during the time in which an Employee is being paid to engage in University business or University activity, including remote work locations.

Responsibilities

• All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. All Employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.
• Human Resources is the policy owner and responsible for overall implementation, promotion, enforcement, maintenance, and biannual review of the policy and program.
  Human Resources is also responsible for tracking and enforcing this policy as it pertains to Employees and the Workplace. They inform our Employees annually of this policy, respond to reports of Employee violations, help maintain the list of available support resources, and participate in the program’s biannual review.
• Student Success is responsible for tracking and enforcing this policy as it pertains to students . They inform our student body annually of this policy, respond to reports of student violations, help maintain the list of available support resources, and participate in the program’s biannual review.
• Institutional Research & Decision Support supports the biannual review of this policy and program.

Policy

The university is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and productive environment for its community. All students and Employees are required to report to class and/or work free from the influence of any drug or alcohol, including cannabis. The manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale, or use of any illegal or dangerous drugs or controlled substances is prohibited in the Workplace, on university-owned or -controlled property, in university vehicles, and at University Events.

Cannabis (marijuana) possession and use in all forms is illegal under federal law and is strictly prohibited in the Workplace, on university-owned or -controlled property, in university vehicles, and at University Events, including for medicinal purposes. In accordance with New York State Penal Law 222, off-site and off-duty cannabis use is generally legal for adults age 21 and over, while still subject to some restrictions. The university does not take adverse employment or disciplinary action based solely on the lawful use of cannabis outside of work hours and off university premises, unless required by federal law, as a condition of federal funding, or where such use negatively affects job performance, professional responsibilities, or campus safety. Employees remain prohibited from possessing, using, or being impaired by cannabis while: on duty; on university premises; at university-sponsored events, whether on or off campus; or when representing the university in any capacity.

With the exception of medication as legally prescribed, it is illegal in the State of New York for any person to possess or traffic in any controlled substances and/or drug paraphernalia, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Narcotics: opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, etc.
• Depressants: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methaqualone, etc.
• Hallucinogens: LSD, mescaline, peyote, ecstasy, etc.
• Inhalants: nitrous oxide, butyl nitrate, propyl nitrate, etc.
• Precursors: chemical compounds
• Prescription drugs: steroids, Ritalin, etc.
• Drug paraphernalia: packing materials, scales, balances, hypodermic needles, etc.
• Legal consequences for the possession or criminal sale of controlled substances and/or drug paraphernalia may include fines and imprisonment.

Any student or employee taking prescription medication for a medically documented condition is eligible to request a reasonable workplace or academic accommodation.

To initiate a request:

• Students: Contact Student Disability Services.
• Employees: Contact the Office of Human Resources.

All such requests will be handled in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL).

Alcohol is prohibited on university-owned or -controlled property, including but not limited to residence halls, except as outlined in the Alcohol at Events Policy.

In accordance with state and federal law, persons under the legal age for consumption are prohibited from possessing any alcoholic beverage on university-owned or -controlled property and at any University Event, whether the event is on campus or not. Undergraduate students, even those who have attained the minimum legal New York State purchase and consumption age of 21, are prohibited from possessing any alcoholic beverage at any University Event, whether the event is on campus or not.

As a reminder, students and Employees, including those studying or working abroad, are expected to familiarize themselves with and abide by local laws and regulations. See Drugs and Alcohol Laws, Regulations, and Legal Sanctions for a summary of these for New York state.

The university encourages students and Employees to seek help for substance use. If they voluntarily disclose a substance use issue before violating policies they will receive support. This may include referrals to Student Health Services (SHS), free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals through the university-sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or consultation with the Office of Human Resources for a leave or workplace accommodation under relevant policies. The university advises members of the community of the dangers of drug abuse and of available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs (see Substance Use Services and Assistance Programs).

Suspected violations of this policy must be reported to the appropriate office. In addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalty, any university Employee or student found in violation of this policy shall be subject to sanction, disciplinary action, or completion of a drug or alcohol abuse assistance program as outlined under Enforcement.

Additional Student Provisions

In addition to the above policy, students are prohibited from the on-campus possession of any type of paraphernalia analogous with the use, distribution, or sale of illegal substances/narcotic drugs (i.e., scales, bongs, pipes, etc.).

The possession and/or use of prescription medication other than as legally prescribed is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct as well as federal, state, and local laws. The distribution of such medications without proper licensure and/or in a manner other than specified under federal, state, and local law is prohibited. The use of over-the-counter medications in a way that is deemed by the university as misuse or the possession of quantities of such medications as deemed excessive by the university will be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Additional Employee Provisions

Applicants for employment may be required to submit to an appropriate drug and alcohol test as a condition of employment. In addition, the university reserves the right to require Employees to undergo appropriate medical tests designed to detect the use of drugs and alcohol post-accident or incident involving property damage or injury, or when there is reasonable suspicion of impairment. All testing will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employees who fail to cooperate fully with any investigation relating to this policy, including any refusal to submit to drug or alcohol testing, is subject to appropriate disciplinary action

All Employees are covered by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and are required to notify the university within five (5) days of a conviction for violating any criminal drug law in the Workplace or guilty plea as a condition of their employment. Failure to report may result in appropriate disciplinary action. If an Employee is engaged in the performance of work pursuant to a grant or contract funded by a federal agency, The New School will notify the relevant federal agency, as appropriate and in accordance with applicable requirements and law, within 10 days of receiving actual notice of an Employee’s criminal drug conviction or plea. Within 30 days of receiving notice, the university shall take appropriate disciplinary action (see Enforcement below).

Procedure

See Drug & Alcohol Policy Violations.

Policy Review

This policy and program is evaluated every two (2) years to ensure effectiveness. The Responsible Office maintains records of the review, including anonymized data and meeting minutes.
All substantive changes made to the policy are noted under Policy History below.

Enforcement

Students found in violation of this policy will be subject to Sanction under the Student Code of Conduct.

Any university Employee found in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment. At its discretion, the University may require Employees who violate this policy to successfully complete a drug or alcohol abuse assistance program as a condition of continued employment (see Substance Use Services and Assistance Programs). Enrollment in or use of a drug assistance program after an Employee is found to have violated this policy will not necessarily lessen disciplinary action already imposed or otherwise impact the university’s determination as to appropriate disciplinary action.

In addition to actions taken by the university, members of the university community should be advised that they may also be subject to prosecution in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. See Drugs and Alcohol Laws, Regulations, and Legal Sanctions for details.

Policy Administration

Responsible University Official: VP of Human Resources

Responsible Office: Human Resources, Student Success

Contact Information: hrhelp@newschool.edu

Policy History

Effective Date: November 7, 2025

Last Reviewed Date: November 7, 2025

Next Review Date: November 7, 2027

Revision History:

• 1/15/26 - Substantive changes updated in Guru.
• 4/11/26 - Moved language related to alcohol at events to a separate policy.