I. Drug Free Communities and Schools Act

This policy has been developed in concert with the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act which was enacted to ensure that any institution of higher education that receives funds under any federal program has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students. It also incorporates the statutory mandates required under the state Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990 (O.C.G.A. § 20-1-20 et seq.) No student may engage in the unlawful manufacture, possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on the technical college's property or as part of any of its sponsored activities.  Such unlawful activity may be considered sufficient grounds for serious punitive action, including expulsion. Disciplinary sanctions for students convicted of a felony offense involving alcohol or the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of marijuana, controlled substances or
other illegal or dangerous drugs shall be immediate suspension and denial of further state and/or federal funds from the date of conviction. Specifically in the case of a drug related offense the student shall minimally be suspended for the remainder of the quarter and forfeit all
academic credit for that period.

Augusta Technical College shall notify the appropriate state/federal funding agency within 10 days after receiving notice of the conviction from the student or otherwise after receiving the actual notice of conviction.

Within 30 days of notification of conviction, Augusta Technical College shall with respect to any
student so convicted:

A. Take additional appropriate action against such student up to and including expulsion as it deems necessary.

B. Provide such student with a description of any drug or alcohol counseling treatment, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency.

Augusta Technical College is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of a drug free awareness program to inform students of the following:

A. The dangers of drug and alcohol abuse on the campus and elsewhere.

B. Any available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation and assistance programs.

C. Any penalties to be imposed upon students for drug and alcohol abuse violations occurring
on the campus.

Augusta Technical College shall conduct a biennial review of its program to determine its effectiveness and implement changes to the program if they are needed and to ensure that the sanctions required by the program are consistently enforced.

Augusta Technical College shall maintain and make available to the U. S. Secretary of Education and to the public a copy of each item in the program as required by this policy and applicable law as well as results of the biennial review.