The illegal possession, use or distribution of drugs or alcohol by any persons is a violation of university rules as well as state and federal laws. Officers of the University cooperate with State and Federal agencies in the prevention of drug abuse. University Police Officers enforce all Nebraska laws and university policies concerning the purchase, possession, consumption, sale and storage of alcoholic beverages and drugs. These would include:
- Use, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia on university premises or while on university business or at university activities or in university vehicles either during or after working hours;
- Unauthorized use or possession or the manufacture, distribution, or sale of a controlled substance as defined by the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq., or Nebraska Drug Control Laws, Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-410 et seq., on university premises, or while engaged on university business or attending university activities or in university vehicles either during or after working hours;
- Unauthorized use, manufacture, distribution, possession or sale of alcohol on university premises or while on university business or at university activities, in university supplied vehicles either during or after working hours;
- Storing in a locker, desk, vehicle or other place on university owned or occupied premises, any unauthorized controlled substances, drug paraphernalia or alcohol;
- Use of alcohol off university premises that adversely affects an employee’s or student’s work or academic performance, or an employee’s or student’s safety or the safety of others;
- Possession, use, manufacture, distribution or sale of illegal drugs on university premises that adversely affects an employee’s or student’s work or academic performance, or an employee’s or student’s safety or the safety of others;
- Violation of state or federal laws relating to the unauthorized use, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia;
- In the case of employees, failure to notify an employee’s supervisor of an employee’s arrest or conviction under any criminal drug statute as a result of a violation of law which occurs at the University of Nebraska workplace.
- In the case of students it is against the Student Code of Conduct to be in the presence of alcohol or drugs while on the university premises or at official university functions.
Conviction for violations of these laws could result in fines, loss of driver’s license and imprisonment. Students who violate the Student Code of Conduct will be subject to the process and sanctions as outlined by the code; separate from any legal sanctions they may receive. Sanctions may range up to and include suspension or expulsion from either University housing and/or the institution. Employees who violate the drug free workplace policy will undergo corrective action according to established university procedure; separate from any legal sanctions they may receive. Corrective action up to and including dismissal may occur and may include requiring the employee to successfully participate in a drug rehabilitation program at the employee’s expense.
Many physical and psychological health risks are associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol and other substances, including but not limited to the following:
- Accidents due to impaired judgment and coordination
- Unwanted sexual activity
- Difficulty with attention and learning
- Physical and psychological dependence
- Damage to the brain, pancreas, kidneys, liver, heart and lungs
- High blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and ulcers
- Birth defects
- Diminished immune system
- Death
Sexual Misconduct Policy
The university is committed to providing an institutional environment where all persons may pursue their studies, careers, duties and activities in an atmosphere free of threat of unwelcome and unwanted sexual actions. UNK will not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when;
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic standing.
- Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions or academic decisions affecting such individual, or
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working/academic environment.
Complaints regarding sexual harassment of a student by a student can be made to the UNK Student Affairs Officer, Memorial Student Affairs Building, #180, 308-865-8528 or Associate Dean: Conrad Hall, 308-865-8519; or Assistant Director Residence Life: Conrad Hall, 308-865-8519 or the Title IX Coordinator, Director Human Resources: Founders Hall #1200, 308-865-8388.
Complaints regarding sexual harassment of a student by a faculty or staff can be made to the UNK Human Resources Office or Title IX Coordinator: Founders Hall #1200, 308-865-8388.
Sexual Assault
Sexual activities should be explicitly agreed upon by all parties involved in the act. Verbal communication of non-consent, nonverbal acts of resistance or mental impairment, to include impairment due to alcohol and drug use, of the victim will constitute lack of consent. Sexual assault includes sexual penetration or sexual contact by intentional touching another’s intimate parts or the clothing covering these parts.
If you are a victim of a sexual offense:
- Get to a safe place.
- Seek medical and counseling assistance. Students can contact: Student Health Care at (308) 865-8218, Counseling Care at (308) 865-8248 or contact your local physician. Employees can contact Best Care EAP at (800) 666-8606 or contact your local physician.
- Report the incident to the university police at (308) 627-4811or local police at (308) 237-2104 or 911 in a timely manner.
- Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. An individual who has been sexually assaulted should not shower, bathe, or douche. If possible do not urinate. Do not eat, drink liquids, take any medications, smoke or brush teeth if oral contact took place.
- Keep the clothes worn during the offense. If clothes are changed place clothes in a paper bag. DO NOT clean any clothing garment.
- Do not destroy any physical evidence. If the crime occurred in the victim’s home, the victim should not clean or straighten until the police have had an opportunity to collect evidence.
Following an incident, victims are encouraged to make a report to campus or local police. If an individual needs assistance in notifying authorities University officials will assist them in doing so. Filing a police report does not obligate prosecution but does provide the opportunity for the collection of evidence, investigation into the allegations and makes legal action possible. The earlier an incident is reported the easier it is to collect valuable evidence.
Victims have the option of keeping their report of sexual assault in complete confidence, protecting their right to anonymity, when making a report through the University Counseling and Health Care or Best Care EAP for employees. When reporting to anyone other than the University Counseling and Health Care or Best Care EAP individuals are obligated to forward the information on to the University Title IX Office for investigation and to UNK Police and Parking Services for investigation/statistical collection.
University code of conduct action, Title IX action, employee disciplinary action, criminal prosecution and civil suits are all options available to victims of sexual assault. To begin the university conduct process, the campus authority or victim should contact the Title IX Coordinator: Founders Hall #1200, 308-865-8388. the Dean-Student Affairs, Memorial Student Affairs Building, #180, 308-865-8528 University Student Conduct Officer, Nebraskan Student Union #142A, #865-1619 or the Human Resources office Founders Hall #1200, 308-865-8388. Once the university has been notified they are obligated to investigate the incident and complete their processes.
During campus conduct proceedings, (not involving sexual harassment or sexual assault) both the victim and accused may be present. Both may have a counselor, attorney and/or an advisor present to provide support and advice. Both the victim and accused will be informed of the results of the proceeding in the same manner and in the same time period. Victims of other types of crimes of violence or a non-forcible sex offence will be notified on the results of any disciplinary proceeding upon written request. If the alleged victim is deceased as a result of such crime or offense the next of kin shall be treated as the alleged victim.
The following sanctions may be imposed upon an individual who is found to be in violation of this policy; warning, probation, loss of privileges, restitution, discretionary sanctions, residence hall relocation, suspension or expulsion, University suspension or expulsion, demotions or termination.
Students who have been sexually harassed or complainants have access to other available University assistance in changing academic and living situations after an alleged incident, if so requested by the student or complainant and if such changes are reasonably available, Accommodations to minimize burden on the student or complainant may include:
- Changes of an on-campus student housing to a different on-campus location;
- Assistance from University in completing the relocation
- Arranging to end a University housing contract and/or adjusting a student account balance for refund;
- Rescheduling an exam, paper, or assignment;
- Taking an incomplete in a class;
- Transferring between class sections;
- Temporary withdrawal;
- Alternative course completion options;
- Arranging to complete a course or lectures via distance education methods with the assistance of technology.
If individuals need assistance in contacting resources University officials will assist. Other services are available to assist victims through their situation. Some of these organizations are the SAFE Center, Victim Witness, UNK Counseling & Health Care, UNK Women’s Center and Family Advocacy Network (FAN) and Best Care EAP for employees.
The Safe Center provides a place for individuals to escape domestic violence situations. They provide support groups and assist victims throughout the court process. SAFE Center can be reached at (308) 237-2599 or at 3710 Central Avenue Suite 10.
Victim Witness is given your information once legal proceedings have begun. They will contact you and explain all the steps of the legal process and support you along the way. Victim Witness can be reached at (308) 233-5263.
The Family Advocacy Network (FAN) provides a safe environment for the survivor while meeting their medical, psychological and safety needs. FAN brings together all necessary parties needed to meet these needs for the survivors. They have trained staff to assist in all aspects of the assault and are equipped with trained medical personnel and equipment.
Phone: (308) 865-7492
Website: www.familyadvocacynetwork.com
The University Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a community coordinated response to sexual assaults which include a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), a sexual assault investigator and trained health care providers. The SART team can be activated by the majority of the listed agencies.
The Women’s Center is staffed by a licensed mental health practitioner, two personal counseling graduate assistants, and a work study. All are trained to respond to victims of sexual assault using strict confidential guidelines.
Phone: (308) 865-8279
(308) 865-8248 (Available 24 hours a day)
Hours: Vary Monday through Friday—please call! Know that we welcome you.
Location: Memorial Student Affairs Building, South Hallway, Room 158
Website: http://unk.edu/officers/womenscenter.aspx?id=17280
Counseling Care provides personal counseling intended to empower UNK students with making choices and decisions from within each student's own unique circumstances. The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice serves as its standard in provision of services. Strict confidentiality is a core principle. All of Counseling Cares's counselors are master's-prepared and are nationally certified and state licensed.
Phone: (308) 865-8248 (Available 24 hours a day)
Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Memorial Student Affairs Building, South Hallway, Room 144
Website: http://www.unk.edu/offices/counseling/
Health Care staff is comprised of fully licensed, qualified nurse practitioners and registered nurses who provide primary health care services for UNK students. All are trained to respond to victims of sexual assault using strict confidential guidelines.
Phone: (308) 865-8218
Hours: The Health Care clinic is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Walk-in clinic hours are from 8:15 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and until 6:00 p.m. Thursdays.
Location: Memorial Student Affairs Building, Northwest Door, Room 184
Website: http://www.unk.edu/offices/studenthealth/
Best Care EAP offers free, confidential counseling for benefit eligible employees and their families
Phone: (800) 666-8606
Prevention, intervention and education programs specifically addressing rape, acquaintance rape and other sexual offenses are offered by Police and Parking Services, Counseling and Health Care, Women’s Center, Peer Health Education and Residence Life. Some of these programs include RAD (Rape Aggression Defense), and RAPE (Rape Awareness Prevention and Education). Human Resources also provides information to all new employees, has a library of training resources available to departments and offers training on sexual harassment and Title IX issues.