Student Affairs

Alcohol and Other Drugs Services staff are mandated reporters. Any information shared with us that may indicate a threat to oneself/another, child abuse, or sexual misconduct will be reported to the appropriate unit on campus. We share additional information with others only on a need-to-know basis.

Marijuana— medicinal or otherwise— is illegal on campuses that receive federal funding, as required by the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act. The University prohibits the possession or use of medical marijuana on campus premises even though medical marijuana is legal in the District of Columbia. The possession, use, or aroma of synthetic marijuana is also prohibited.

For information on points for violations, please review our Alcohol and Other Drugs Point System Policy. The Coordinator of Residence Education (CRE) and the Office of Student Conduct coordinator will assign points for students found responsible for violating the alcohol and/or other drugs policies. For more information on appealing a violation, you may download the Residence Life and Housing Appeal Form or contact us for more information.

Once a determination has been made that a student violated the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy (through an appropriate disciplinary process as described under Student Conduct Program or Residence Hall Policies in the Student Handbook), the corresponding number of points and other required sanctions will be assigned. The Office of Student Conduct (OSC), Office of Residence Life and Housing, and/or the Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (ADS) have the right to make determinations as to the point value and sanction of any violation of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policies. For more information on sanctions, please contact us or review our Alcohol and Other Drugs Point System Policy.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford exceptions permitting colleges and universities to disclose certain information to students’ parents or guardians. Gallaudet’s position on parental notification regarding alcohol and other drug violations is intended to develop a partnership with parents and guardians as a way of addressing high-risk student behaviors in order to enhance campus safety, student health, and academic success, and to provide notification in instances involving the health and safety of students and our campus community. Exceptions that may preclude parental notification involve certain situations related to a student’s personal relationship with or the current status of a parent/guardian or violations that are considered less severe (e.g., empty alcohol bottles or beverages used for decorative purposes in a dry residence hall). Student Affairs administrators reserve the right to exercise professional judgment and discretion in such parental notification decisions. Gallaudet will notify parents or guardians of students under the age of 21, regardless of dependency, in writing when their student is found responsible for a Student Code of Conduct violation involving the use, possession, manufacturing, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. Gallaudet will also notify parents or guardians of students under the age of 21, regardless of dependency, in writing when their student is found responsible for a Student Code of Conduct violation involving the use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages. Gallaudet will also notify parents or guardians, regardless of age, when a student is experiencing a medical or psychological emergency. The Office of Residence Life and Housing or the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Academic Support will make such notification by calling or writing. Gallaudet informs coaches or academic advisors of alcohol and other drug violations in order to enhance student health and academic success. Student Affairs administrators reserve the right to exercise professional judgment and discretion in such notifications, including notifications made before determining whether the student is responsible for the violation.

Students who do not complete sanctions as assigned for alcohol or drug violation may face additional disciplinary action imposed by the University, which may include the loss of point forgiveness, off-campus housing privileges, residence hall privileges, or University suspension.

Students who have points from alcohol or drug violations may be eligible to reduce their points. Point Forgiveness:

• For each semester that a student is not involved in any violations of University policy, ONE point will be removed from their record.
• To qualify for the removal of one point from their record, as described above, students must meet the scheduling expectations for educational programming and alcohol/drug assessment at the time of the initial violation (see the Educational Programs and Alcohol/Drug Assessment section above for more details.)
• No more than two points can be forgiven for a student in one academic year (fall and spring semesters); no more than one point can be forgiven for a student per semester (fall and spring semesters only).
• Points cannot be forgiven for the previous semester if the student is being investigated for (or has been charged with) a violation (committed in the previous semester) until the violation has been fully adjudicated.

The Health and Wellness Programs houses the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services unit. Both work together to manage the AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates— a required online program for new and transfer students. The Health and Wellness Programs (HWP) Office seeks to enhance Gallaudet University students’ well-being by empowering them to make informed health and lifestyle choices in accordance with their values and belief systems. By supporting students on behavior and lifestyle change via the dimensions of wellness-physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental, HWP helps students become more successful academic community members. For more information, please contact us or visit our Health and Wellness Programs page.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (ADS) supports students dealing with alcohol and other drug-related infractions of the Student Code of Conduct. We ensure that students complete their assigned sanctions issued by Residence Life or the Office of Student Conduct. Alcohol and Other Drugs Services handles online alcohol and drug educational sessions, alcohol and drug programs, and alcohol/drug classes in collaboration with several units on and off-campus. Together with the Health and Wellness Programs, ADS manages AlcoholEdu and Haven, a required online program for new and transfer students. The office is located in Ely 103. Office hours are 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday.

A Good Samaritan is a student who seeks assistance for another who is in need of emergency care due to alcohol or drug consumption. To qualify under the Good Samaritan provision of the Alcohol and Drug Point System, the student seeking assistance for the student needing medical attention must:

• Be the first person to contact DPS or Residence Life staff to report that a person needs medical assistance due to alcohol consumption/drug use;
• The calling student must provide his/her name when they contact DPS or Residence Life;
• The calling student must remain with the person needing medical assistance until DPS and the Residence Life on-call team member arrives, and the need for their presence has ended;
• The calling student must not have purchased, supplied, or otherwise made alcohol or other drugs available to the student needing medical attention.

In an effort to further advance our students beyond the classroom, Gallaudet University has partnered with EverFi, whose mission is to help students address critical life skills such as alcohol abuse prevention and sexual assault prevention in higher education institutions across the country. Gallaudet University requires all new and transfer students to complete AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention training. Students who do not complete the course by the stated deadlines may face dorm restriction and/or an inability to register for classes for the following semester. These online courses help students develop the critical skills to make more thoughtful and educated choices outside the classroom. Students will find greater success with these skills at Gallaudet University and well beyond your graduation. Some students are eligible to be waived from the course. To learn more about reasons for waivers or to request one, please contact us. For directions on how to access AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, please check out AlcoholEdu and Haven.