Bluffton University Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) Policy

PURPOSE

Bluffton University is concerned with the health, safety and welfare of student-athletes who participate in its programs and represent the institution in competitive athletics. The athletics department recognizes the need to provide education, testing and professional guidance for the student-athletes to prevent and deter student-athletes from the use and abuse of prohibited substances.

POLICY

As an athlete you will be required to be eligible to be drug tested throughout the entire academic year. The written policy and procedures will be distributed and explained to the student-athletes at each team's initial organizational meeting at the beginning of each academic year or at the time of an athlete being added to the roster. This policy will also be available on the athletics webpage.

ELIGIBILITY

At the beginning of the academic year, each Bluffton University student-athlete must acknowledge receipt of Bluffton University's SAPP and sign a consent form to allow for drug screening and release of results to a limited group of individuals directly involved in implementing Bluffton University's SAPP. If the student-athlete is under 18 years of age at the time of the signing, the parent or guardian will also need to consent for the student-athlete to participate in Bluffton University's SAPP as a condition of the student-athlete's eligibility.

Any student-athlete who does not wish to sign Bluffton University's consent form may choose not to do so. Failure to complete and sign the consent form before practice or competition or before the Monday of the 4th week of classes, whichever date occurs first, shall result in the student-athlete not being eligible to participate in any intercollegiate athletics at Bluffton University.

NONCOMPLIANCE

Noncompliance with the Athletic Department SAPP Policy or failure to report for a drug test will be treated as a positive test and follow the appropriate sanctions. If a student-athlete reports late for a drug test it will be treated as a positive test and follow the appropriate sanctions.

VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE

A student-athlete may voluntarily notify the director of athletics in writing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs prior to the university's request for drug testing. The student-athlete will be given the appropriate offense according to their record.  The student-athlete will be tested in the next random drug testing procedure.

REASONABLE CAUSE

Reasonable cause drug testing will be used in cases in which there is a suspicion on the part of the Dean of Students, Director of Athletics, Certified Athletic Trainer, or Head Coach that a student-athlete is under the influence or potentially abusing drugs.

PROCEDURE

Any student-athlete who is currently enrolled in the University and on the official roster of the team may be selected at any time. Evidence of a drug substance will be determined from an analysis of the student-athlete's urine specimen. Drug testing will be administered by the Certified Athletic Training staff at an assigned location, date and time as indicated on the student-athlete's notification form.

SELECTION

Drug screening will be eligible for all student-athletes on the current year sport roster with remaining athletic eligibility at the time of testing. This includes athletes who are both in-season and out-of-season. Random selection will take place through Aegis Science Laboratories for ten student-athletes to be tested.

NOTIFICATION

Student-athletes will be notified by a certified athletic trainer that they have been selected for drug testing. The student-athlete will be notified by a written notification, a text message and through an email. The notification will state the location, date and time of the drug testing. They will also be advised to bring a photo ID and any current medications they are on.

SPECIMEN COLLECTION

The student-athlete must present a photo ID at the time of testing before submitting their specimen. The student-athlete will follow all instructions for the collection procedure. The specimen will be provided by the student-athlete under direct observation by the Certified Athletic Training Staff and/or a designee by the Athletic Director to ensure the integrity of the collection, processing, packaging, and evaluation of the specimen. The Certified Athletic Training Staff will maintain constant supervision of the collected samples as well as written documentation and records. The specimen will be mailed to Aegis Science Laboratories for testing.

TAMPERING AND ADULTERATION

Any donor who attempts to or does falsify, alter, or otherwise tamper with any specimen or any aspect of a test performed under this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the Policy.  A specimen that is identified as having been adulterated or manipulated shall be treated in the same manner as a "true positive" test result for a prohibited substance, with all of the consequences of such a positive test.

DRUG TESTING RESULTS

The results of the drug testing will be reported directly to the Head Certified Athletic Trainer. The Head Certified Athletic Trainer will then notify the Dean of Students, Director of Athletics, Head Coach, and the student-athlete of the positive results.

APPEAL PROCESS

The student-athlete who is in violation of the substance abuse policy may appeal the findings of the test within forty-eight (48) hours of the student-athlete being notified of the results. The appeal must be made in writing to the Director of Athletics. The student-athlete will have their specimen retested and reevaluated at their own expense. The results of the second testing will be reported directly to the Director of Athletics through writing and/or fax. The second testing results of the specimen are final.

SANCTIONS FOLLOWING DRUG SCREEN RESULTS

The sanctions do not start over with each new year; they will remain throughout the entire collegiate career of the student-athlete.

Offense #1:

2 week suspension from respective sport practices and games.

Student-athlete will also be referred to the Campus Student Conduct Process which may have additional sanctions.*

Mandatory retesting.

Offense #2:

Season suspension from respective sport practices and games.

Student-athlete will also be referred to the Campus Student Conduct Process which may have additional sanctions.*

Mandatory retesting.

Offense #3:

Intercollegiate sport suspension.

Student-athlete will also be referred to the Campus Student Conduct process which may have additional sanctions.*

*See Student Handbook for complete explanation of Campus Alcohol and Drug policies and Student Conduct Procedures. The Student Handbook can be found here. 

RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENT-ATHLETE

It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to read the Bluffton University SAPP prior to participation in athletics.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The identification of each sample taken will be kept confidential by the Certified Athletic Training Staff. Only positive tests will be reported to the Director of Athletics, Dean of Students and Head Coach. The identity of all student-athletes tested will be kept confidential.

RESOURCES

We encourage students who may be struggling with substance use or abuse to seek the free resources that are available on campus. You can meet with the campus counselor, Rae Staton, who can be contacted at 419-358-3449 or statonr@bluffton.edu.

Bluffton University Athletic Department, August 16, 2012