VCOM Administrative and Classified Staff Handbook

• Accidents or illnesses caused by substance use; • Patterns of absenteeism and/or lateness; • Evidence that a previous drug or alcohol test was tampered with; or • Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Any concerns that raise these suspicions for substance impairment will be reported to VCOM administration who will then determine whether “for cause” testing is appropriate. Scheduled or “for cause” testing may be performed on campus or at a qualified designated laboratory site identified by the College. A positive drug test on campus will result in a repeated test within a forensic laboratory as arranged by the administration. In general, the laboratory site will carry a forensic certified testing program certified by the College of American Pathologists for testing. Compliance with “for cause” drug and alcohol testing of employees is a condition of employment. Refusal of employees to consent to testing may result in termination for student safety. The requirement that an employee be tested as well as the test results will remain confidential and disclosed only to those individuals within VCOM with a need to know, as well as any licensing, registering or certification boards that have a need to know. Any employee who tests positive on a drug screen for controlled or illicit substances and/or marijuana (whether prescribed or not), demonstrate illegal or disruptive actions related to drug or alcohol use, are arrested for drug paraphernalia or other illegal use of drugs, or demonstrated dependence to alcohol will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and/or required to satisfactorily participate in a drug-abuse assistance or rehabilitation program at the discretion of administration. Disciplinary action will be administered in accordance with the Standards of Conduct and Guidelines. Self-Identification of Substance Use Dependence or Arrest/Criminal Charge of a Substance Use Violation Employees must report an arrest or charge for any illegal behavior, including substance use, whether guilty or not guilty, to the Director for Human Resources within 72 hours from the time of the arrest or charge. Employees who do not report such an arrest or charge are considered as acting in an unprofessional and/or unethical manner and may be dismissed. Failure to disclose a substance use condition that subsequently results in impairment, patient safety concerns, professional misconduct, or violation of institutional policies will be considered unprofessional conduct and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Substance Abuse Prevention Information regarding the risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the misuse of alcohol, including applicable health consequences and legal sanctions, is distributed annually to students and employees. In addition, all students and employees are required to complete VCOM’s alcohol abuse prevention program. Building and Grounds Etiquette When VCOM’s lecture halls are not used for formal instruction, VCOM encourages students to use the rooms for quiet study. Periodically, the lecture halls will be used for other events; therefore, students are requested to pick up their personal possessions daily. Items left behind will be turned into Facilities. VCOM is not responsible for items left behind. Items not accounted for within 30 days will be disposed of or donated to charity.

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