Infectious Diseases

Significant infectious diseases are defined as Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS related Complex (ARC), and Hepatitis B. DCC will follow the policies and recommendations of the Centers for Disease control of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Montana Board of Regents AIDS Policy 1908 and will work in cooperation with local health authorities to prevent the spread of significant infectious diseases and will promote through education, the prevention of such diseases.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy - DCC CP 2-8

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, DCC is committed to provide a Drug-Free Workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of a controlled substance in the workplace or while conducting college business are prohibited.

Local state and federal laws make illegal use of drugs and alcohol serious crimes. Conviction can lead to imprisonment, fines and assigned community services

Glendive Ordinances:
Section 5.02.006 Purchase by or for persons under the age of twenty-one (21) prohibited. Up to six (6) months in jail and a $500 Fine.
Section 5.02.007 Misrepresentation of age. Up to six (6) months in jail and a $500 Fine.
State Penalties for Unlawful Possession or Distribution of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol:
Section 45-9-101 M.C.A. Criminal sale of dangerous drugs. Depending on the type of drug and prior convictions, penalties could range up to life in prison and a $50,000 Fine.
Section 45-9-102 M.C.A. Criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
(a) Less than 60 grams of marijuana or 1 gram of hashish, for the first offense, a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500 and by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than six (6) months.
(b) Other penalties depend on the nature of the drug, but can range up to five (5) years in prison and a $50,000 Fine.
Section 45-9-103 M.C.A. Criminal possession with intent to sell. Not less than two (2) years nor more than twenty (20) years in prison and a $50,000 Fine.
Section 45-9-104 M.C.A. Fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs. Up to ten (10) years in prison. Section 45-9-105 M.C.A. Altering labels on dangerous drugs. Up to six (6) months in jail.
Section 45-9-109 M.C.A Sale on or near school property. Not less than three (3) years nor more than Life in prison and a $50,000 Fine.
Section 45-9-112 M.C.A Criminal Sale of imitation dangerous drugs. Up to ten (10) years in prison and a $50,000 Fine.
Section 45-9-113 M.C.A Criminal possession of imitation dangerous drug with purpose to sell. Up to five (5) years in prison and a $50,000 Fine.
Section 45-10-103 M.C.A Criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Up to six (6) months in jail and a $500 Fine.
Section 45-10-105 M.C.A Delivery of drug paraphernalia to a minor. Up to one (1) year in jail and a $1,000 Fine. In addition under
Section 44-12-103, conveyances used in the commission of a drug offense are subject to forfeiture to law enforcement.
Section 45-5-623 M.C.A. Unlawful transactions with children, which includes selling or giving intoxicating substances other than alcoholic beverages to a person under 18 or selling or giving an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21. Fine of up to $500 and jail up to six (6) months or both for first offense.
Section 45-5-624 M.C.A. Unlawful possession of an intoxicating substance. $50 for first offense, $100 for second offense, $200 for third offense, fourth and subsequent offense, $300 fine and jail for up to six (6) months; plus completion of a community-based substance abuse information course; plus having drivers license confiscated for up to ninety (90 ) days.
Section 45-5-622 M.C.A. Endangering the welfare of children by supplying intoxicating substances to a person under 18. Fine up to $500 and jail for up to six (6) months for first offense. Federal Sanctions would be the same throughout the Country and would be too numerous to outline and are seldom imposed locally.

Health Risks

Abusive alcohol consumption and use of illicit drugs are associated with physical and mental health risk. A description of the health risk may include but are not limited to the following:

• Memory loss or interference
• Impaired judgment, reaction time and motor coordination
• Loss of concentration and/or interference with the brains ability to take in, sort and synthesize information – Physical exhaustion
• Malnutrition
• Psychosis
• Anxiety or paranoid reaction
• Increased aggressiveness
• Inappropriate or inaccurate perception
• Distortion of experiences and loss of self control
• Strokes
• Cancer
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Heart failure
• Lung damage
• Fetal damage from use by pregnant women
• Death from respiratory depression

Counseling and Treatment

A wide range of support services and educational programs are available to the DCC community. This includes, but is not limited to short-term counseling, support groups, and referral to inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. These programs are available primarily through the generic service system in Glendive and regionally. Students who feel that substance abuse may be negatively influencing their performance in college, or the community, should contact their academic advisor, housing director, Nontraditional student advisor, other student support services advisors, or the District II Alcohol and Drug Program for assessment and referral. Employees should contact their immediate supervisor or the Alcohol and Drug Program, directly.

Resources Available: Other resource programs are provided by law enforcement, mental health services, county health departments and local hospitals. DCC does not endorse any one treatment.

Sanctions on Students and Employees

Dawson Community College will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees (consistent with local, State and Federal Law) up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution, for violations of the standards of conduct. A disciplinary sanction may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program. Employees must, as a condition of employment, notify their immediate supervisors of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five days after such conviction.

Alcohol/Drug Policy - DCC BP 3-2

ALCOHOL/DANGEROUS DRUGS
Dawson Community College is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment free of drugs and alcohol. Dawson Community College is an alcohol and drug-free campus.
Dawson Community College recognizes an individual’s rights and responsibilities. For a positive academic and social atmosphere, members of the campus community need to manage their lives responsibly and in a way that reflects respect for other individuals and property.
ALCOHOL
Dawson Community College prohibits the manufacture, advertisement, sale, possession, use and/or distribution of alcohol by students and employees on institutional property or at college sponsored events, except as allowed by this policy. The possession and/or display of alcohol containers (cans, bottles, beer bongs, etc.) are evidence of use and/or consumption and are also prohibited.
Alcohol may only be served on campus (1) with the prior written approval of the Dawson Community College Board of Trustees or its designee, (2) pursuant to a license issued in accordance with state law, and (3) in accordance with the DCC Facility Use Policy. The sponsors of an approved event must ensure that alcohol is not accessible to any person under the legal drinking age or to any person who appears to be intoxicated, regardless of age. The sponsors of an approved event will be held responsible for their actions and those of their guests at all times.
DANGEROUS DRUGS
The use, possession, manufacture, sale or distribution of any dangerous drug or possession of any drug paraphernalia on college property or at college sponsored activities is prohibited. This prohibition complies with federal and state statutes, the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989.
For purposes of this policy, the term dangerous drug means any drug defined as dangerous under state law. See § 50-32-101(6, Schedules I through V in Title 50, Chapter 32, Part 2.
For purposes of this policy, the term drug paraphernalia means all equipment, products, and materials of any kind that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in cultivating, harvesting, manufacturing, converting, compounding, producing, processing, preparing, packaging, storing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body a dangerous drug. It includes but is not limited to any of the following when used, or intended for use, in any of the above listed illegal purposes: kits; devices used to increase the potency of any species of plant that is a dangerous drug; testing equipment of any kind; scales and balances used in weighing and measuring dangerous drugs; diluents and adulterants designed for use in cutting dangerous drugs; separation gins and sifters; blenders and other utensils and containers used in compounding dangerous drugs; capsules, balloons, envelopes and other containers used in packaging; objects used for ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing dangerous drugs into the body, such as, but not limited to, pipes, tubes, masks, roach clips, cocaine spoons and vials, chillums, bongs, and chillers.

Alcohol/Drug Policy - DCC CP 3-2

ALCOHOL/DANGEROUS DRUGS

Pursuant to the above principles, the Board of Trustees confirms its commitment to the establishment of a fair code of student conduct and fair and expeditious procedures for the implementation of disciplinary sanctions pursuant to that code of conduct. In furtherance of this commitment, the Board directs and authorizes the DCC administration to develop and maintain a student conduct code for the students of DCC with fair procedures for the implementation of sanctions under that code. The code should address the rights of the parties involved, the imposition of discipline and appeal procedures, and the confidentiality of disciplinary proceedings and sanctions. Such procedures may include sanctions against individual students and student groups and may include the disciplinary sanctions of suspension and expulsion. The AVP of Instruction & Student Services shall be responsible for the procedural administration of the code.

Violations of this policy will subject a student to disciplinary action under the procedures set forth in the Student Conduct Code (BP 3-5, CP 3-5). Violations by employees will subject them to appropriate disciplinary action.

Violation/Sanctioning

Any enrolled student of DCC who violates this policy will be subject to the following sanctions:
ANY Offense will include educational sanctioning to be determined by the appropriate DCC official. Failure to adhere to any educational sanctions levied will be grounds for immediate suspension and/or further sanctioning.
Monetary fines may also be imposed:

First Offense: A student found responsible for a violation will be assessed a fine of (not less than) $50 which must be paid to the business office within two weeks.

Second Offense: A student found responsible for a violation will be assessed a fine of (not less than) $75 and may be suspended, dis-enrolled, expelled, and/or evicted from the DCC Housing complex, dependent on the severity of the violation and the mitigating circumstances. Parental notification will be standard on all second offenses involving drug/alcohol.

Third Offense: A student found responsible for a violation will be assessed a fine of (not less than) $75

ANY Offense for which students are found responsible (Drug/Alcohol) may involve required participation in an alcohol/drug education program.
Dawson Community College reserves the right to report any illegal activity to law enforcement authorities. DCC may pursue student judicial proceedings whether or not criminal proceedings are in process and may use information from third party sources, such as law enforcement agencies and the courts, to determine whether College rules have been broken. It is possible that students may be found responsible for campus violations, but not be held responsible for criminal offenses due to differences between evidentiary standards.
Any monetary fines levied must be paid within two weeks or student-status may be suspended.
A law enforcement official will be called to apprehend any non-resident/non-student who violates this policy. Persons under the legal drinking age who possess alcohol, and persons who contribute alcohol to person(s) under the legal drinking age risk the chance of criminal prosecution by law enforcement officials. Persons who possess illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia risk the chance of criminal prosecution by law enforcement officials.

Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Policy - DCC BP 2-8

Use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on College property, including college vehicles and buses, except in designated areas.

Responsibility of Personal Acts, Articles

DCC assumes no responsibility for the loss of personal articles by theft. The College does not accept responsibility for damage to personal articles in the event of flood, fire, wind, or any other natural disaster. The College shall not be liable for damages if the college’s performance of its obligation is necessarily curtailed or suspended due to storm, flood, or other acts of nature; fire, war, rebellion, scarcity of water, insurrection, riots, strikes or any other cause beyond the control of DCC.

Weapons/Ammunition

Weapons must be stored in the safe on campus. Ammunition cannot be stored with weapons. See the Student Handbook.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Dawson Community College is committed to equal opportunity for all persons in all facets of the community college operations. Our policy has been, and will continue to be, one of nondiscrimination, offering equal opportunity to all students, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without regard to such matters as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, marital or parental status, or disability.

Students who feel that they have been unfairly treated by the college in policy as well as in disciplinary actions have the right to request a hearing by an appeals board of any action taken. This may include complaints of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, political belief, veteran status, marital or parental status, or existence of a disability.

Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedures

Dawson Community College affirms the right of all employees and students to work and study in an environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. DCC is committed to providing a climate of mutual respect among all students and employees and is opposed to every practice that denies human dignity or actions that infringe upon academic and personal freedom.

Sexual harassment and/or intimidation are a violation of federal and state laws. The State of Montana prohibits retaliation against any employee or student because he or she has filed a report of alleged harassment. Disciplinary action will be taken when instances of harassment, intimidation, or retaliation occur.

Sexual Harassment – is defined legally as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• The employee’s or student’s submission is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of individual’s employment or student’s status
• The employee’s or student’s submission or rejection of such conduct is used as basis for decisions affecting employment or education decisions.
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee’s work performance or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile offensive environment.

Sexual Intimidation – is defined as any unreasonable behavior, verbal or non-verbal, which has the effect of subjecting members of either sex to humiliation, embarrassment or discomfort because of their gender.

Other forms of Harassment – can be defined as:

• Messages which one can regard as irritating and offensive, violent or non-violent in nature.
• A behavior which acts in flagrant disrespect for the well being of others. Whether or not a person has the intention of carrying out a threat, threatening is a serious matter with serious, possibly criminal, implications and will be reported to the police. Continued disciplinary action will be made from the facts, on a case-by-case basis. Such action will consist of, but not be restricted to, the following:
• Informing or attempting to notify the person that such actions or comments are prohibited and that these actions may constitute a criminal offence
• Advising the police
• Notifying other individuals so their safety is not compromised

Although information given is kept confidential, this is one exception. The safety of those working within the public service is considered paramount. The college is committed to taking action against offenders through the disciplinary process. Students seeking advice on, or wishing to file a grievance related to, alleged sexual harassment should contact the Title IX Coordinator. Reporting assaults will ensure that victims will receive the services they need, along with helping to prevent assaults from happening to others.

Any student who believes s/he has been the victim of sexual harassment or intimidation is encouraged to report the incident(s) or action(s) as soon as possible after the alleged harassment or intimidation occurs. Reports should be brought to the attention of any or all of the following:

• The harasser, informing the individual the behavior is unwelcome, offensive or inappropriate and requesting that the action stop.
• The immediate supervisor (if applicable) of the harasser, or to the first level supervisor who is not involved in the alleged harassment.
• The college Title IX Coordinator
• Your college advisor or an instructor

Complaints – A complaint shall be defined as any informal (oral) or formal (written) allegation and usually fall into one of the following categories:

• The individual takes some steps which may stop the behavior
• The school initiates some actions informally
• Formal charges under the school’s sexual harassment procedures can be filed by either the victim or the institution against the offender
• The individual can file formal charges under federal and/or state laws

Individual procedure – You as an individual can confront the harasser or write a letter to the harasser – informing the individual that his/her behavior is unwelcome, offensive or inappropriate. Other things to do: notify supervisor, advisor, an instructor, Title IX Coordinator, keep notes, write down your feelings, list any witnesses etc. Documentation is strongly recommended.

Informal procedure – is aimed at stopping the behavior rather than determining culpability or intent. It’s a simple provides an alternative method for getting sexual harassment to end, which is usually what recipients of harassment want, rather than a vindication of their civil rights or achieving revenge. Why some choose informal procedures:

• Less frightening
• Confidentially may be ensured
• Process may be educational for harasser
• Question/statements of he said…she said and similar issues may not be addressed
• The complainant may play an active role in resolving the situation and this may feel empowered and less victimized
• Process provides several options for the victim

An oral grievance will involve the complainant, the Title IX Coordinator, and the appropriate administrator. Every effort should be made to find an acceptable solution as soon as possible.

Formal procedure – A written formal grievance will be filed with the Title IX Coordinator who, within five working days, initiate an investigation. During this time, each person is given a chance to respond to allegations made against her/him. Individuals subjected to disciplinary action as the result of a report of harassment may file a grievance under the college grievance policy.

Dawson Community Title IX Coordinator: Leslie Weldon Main Building- Room 112, 406-377-9474 

Violent, Discriminatory, and Sexual Misconduct BP 3-7

Dawson Community College fosters a safe learning and working environment that supports academic and professional growth of students, staff, and faculty and has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, class, religion, or relationship status. When incidents occur, the College will hold perpetrators accountable through appropriate disciplinary actions, while respecting the rights of survivors, in accordance with federal and State laws, the College’s Student Conduct Code, and other applicable College policies.

Sexual Misconduct CP 3-7

Pursuant to the above principles, the Board of Trustees confirms its commitment to the establishment of a fair code of student conduct and fair and expeditious procedures for the implementation of disciplinary sanctions pursuant to that code of conduct. In furtherance of this commitment, the Board directs and authorizes the DCC administration to develop and maintain a student conduct code for the students of DCC with fair procedures for the implementation of sanctions under that code. The code should address the rights of the parties involved, the imposition of discipline and appeal procedures, and the confidentiality of disciplinary proceedings and sanctions. Such procedures may include sanctions against individual students and student groups and may include the disciplinary sanctions of suspension and expulsion. The Dean of Student Services shall be responsible for the procedural administration of the code.

Violations of this policy will subject a student to disciplinary action under the procedures set forth in the Student Conduct Code. Violations by employees will subject them to appropriate disciplinary action.

Dawson Community College reserves the right to report any illegal activity to law enforcement authorities. DCC may pursue enforcement of its rules whether or not criminal proceedings are in process and may use information from third party sources, such as law enforcement agencies and the courts, to determine whether College rules have been broken.

Reporting Procedures

The College encourages reporting of all incidents of sexual misconduct, and respects the choices that survivors make regarding the methods of reporting:

1. Filing a report with the appropriate law enforcement agency to pursue legal redress

2. Filing a Student Conduct Code complaint to pursue College disciplinary action

3. Filing a confidential report to alert the College to the threat of violence and contribute to accurate College data concerning violence

4. Filing a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator

Survivors may opt for one or more of these choices:

Survivors choosing to pursue the reporting process have the right to assistance or consultation by a friend or advocate. The College offers services to survivors even if they choose not to report the incidents. The College provides services, and information for survivors in a safe, supportive, and confidential setting. In some circumstances, a survivor may seek a Temporary Order of Protection (TOP) from a court of appropriate jurisdiction against the alleged perpetrator. A survivor may also seek restriction of access to the College by non-students or non-employees in certain circumstances.

Federal law requires the College to collect, publish, and distribute an annual security report that includes statistics concerning the incidence of sexual offense and other serious crimes occurring on campus and on public property, in non-College buildings, or on non-College property. The reports do not include identifying information about survivors, but incidents included within the reports require confirmation. These reports function to increase awareness of the extent of crime on campus and to foster the development of policies, procedures, and programs to prevent and report crime. Following a formal or confidential report of an incident of sexual violence on campus, the Title IX Coordinator will issue a public warning if the evidence indicates that a threat of continued violence exists.