(a) Introduction

(1) OSCA is aware that some of its members have found experimental and / or recreational drug and alcohol use to contribute to the process of self-exploration and personal growth. However, OSCA is also aware that drug use and the sale of drugs have been found to be destructive and dangerous to the safety and security of individuals and the community as a whole. At times, outside intervention may be necessary for safety or security reasons such as violence, property destruction, and health reasons.

(2) It is not the intention of this policy to punish certain individuals for their choice in lifestyle habits. It is also not intended to supersede the Oberlin College Drug and Alcohol policy or local, federal, and state laws. It is intended, instead, to

i. adequately educate co-op members of the dangers and issues involved in drug use,

ii. have an effective and appropriate way of responding to abuse and crisis situations, and

iii. help ensure that co-op members feel safe in their community and have a way of voicing their concerns.

(b) Education

Purpose: OSCA should provide education about drugs and alcohol, their effects, how they work, and how they cause harm. OSCA should provide information on resources for dealing with drug abuse. OSCA should also provide education about the Oberlin College Drug and Alcohol Policy, and local, state and federal laws.

(1) The Programming & History Coordinators of OSCA shall research, collect, and create pertinent educational information that should be available for each housing and dining co-op. Information should be available in the OSCA Library, and in dining and housing co-ops (unless a co-op has previously stated that they do not wish to have this information.)

(2) The Programming & History Coordinators of OSCA shall work with the Dining Loose Ends Coordinators of each co-op to provide channels for disseminating education and information. Dining co-ops should decide if they would like to have discussions, guest speakers, and such about drugs and alcohol sometime at the beginning of the school year and / or throughout the year.

(3) The Housing Coordinator of OSCA shall work with the Programming & History Coordinators to provide the same information and resources for Housing Loose Ends Coordinators and their respective housing co-ops. The Housing Coordinator shall develop training materials about drugs and alcohol, especially on community issues. This material should be presented by the Housing Coordinator in conjunction with Oberlin College Residential Staff training.

(4) Each housing co-op shall have a discussion with their Housing Loose Ends Coordinators about drug and alcohol use and abuse, community issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse and sales, Oberlin College drug and alcohol policies, local, state, and federal laws, available resources in Oberlin, and other pertinent information about drugs and alcohol at the beginning of each semester.

(5) The OSCA/OC Liaison shall keep OSCA informed of any changes, updates, or precedents that Oberlin College makes to its drug and alcohol policy.

(c) Abuse and Crisis Situations

Purpose: OSCA should provide general protocol and training for dealing with drug and alcohol abuse and crisis situations. Abuse is defined as any usage of drugs or alcohol that is destructive to the individual or their community. Crisis is defined as any usage of drugs or alcohol that puts the individual at immediate danger to themselves or others.

(1) The Operations Managers of OSCA shall work with the Programming & History Coordinators of OSCA to provide general training to Dining Loose Ends Coordinators or other elected co-op representative on responding to drug and alcohol abuse and crisis situations.

(2) The Housing Coordinator of OSCA shall work with the Programming & History Coordinators of OSCA to provide training to Housing Loose Ends Coordinators of each co-op. This training should be done in conjunction with Oberlin College Residential staff training and should be thorough and in-depth and include training on providing resources and counsel to abusive drug and alcohol users as well as basic response and first-aid for dealing with crisis situations.

(3) In general, the whole co-op community is responsible for noticing when someone is having a problem with drugs and alcohol.

(4) The Loose Ends Coordinator of each co-op should notice if someone is abusing drugs or alcohol. The community, however, is responsible for making the Loose Ends Coordinator aware. The Loose Ends Coordinators should approach the person having problems. Mood and focus should not be “I think you have a problem,” but “These are some things I’ve noticed, and I’m concerned; what are your feelings on all this?” The Loose Ends Coordinator should not push punitive action unless they feel it is necessary. The Loose Ends Coordinator should not do more than they feel capable of doing.

(5) A crisis situation needs immediate response. The Loose Ends Coordinator of the co- op shall be notified in this situation. The Loose Ends Coordinator or whoever is available should insure the safety of the individual having the crisis and insure the safety of the community. This may involve removing the person from a negative situation, providing first-aid where necessary, or attempting to resolve conflicts. The person doing this should not do more than they feel capable of doing.

(6) If a Loose Ends Coordinator or other persons in the co-op do not feel capable of handling the situation, they shall contact someone who does. First-aid emergencies should be directed to Security and 911. Abuse situations should be referred to the counseling center.

(d) Community Issues

Purpose: OSCA has an obligation to protect communities in co-ops from being disrupted from drug and alcohol use in the co-ops. When someone is in some way harming the community as a result of drug and alcohol use, OSCA is responsible for seeing that it is stopped.

(1) Each semester, each housing co-op shall act proactively to prevent drug and alcohol use from being a community issue. This will be done early in the semester through discussions at the house meeting level, where the community defines its own expectations, concerns, and attitudes regarding drug and alcohol use. Housing co- ops shall discuss issues of community interference as defined in Part III, Item 2. Housing co-ops shall also discuss those items mentions in Part I, Item 4 of this policy. Dining co-ops are welcome to use this format as well.

(2) Community Issues Defined: Community Interference includes

i. Reoccurring use of drugs and alcohol in a destructive manner

ii. Violence as a result of drug and alcohol use

iii. Damage to community property

iv. General public obnoxious behavior

v. Health hazards in public areas (e.g. vomit)

vi. Interference with co-op jobs because of drug and alcohol use

vii. Personal issues with the community’s drug and alcohol use

viii.Behavior indicative of a larger problem with the community

ix. Violations of house, party, or college policies as a result of drug and alcohol use

(3) Behavior protocol: The LECs or any member of the community shall have the following protocols when approaching a community issue regarding drugs and alcohol. Depending on the seriousness of the situations, they can use anything on the following list:

i. Private mediation with a Loose Ends Coordinator

ii. Private mediation with the Housing Coordinator of OSCA

iii. Meeting with the entire community

iv. OSCA Conflict Resolution Committee

v. The College Drug and Alcohol Policy

vi. Local, state, or federal laws

(4) OSCA shall conduct a feasibility survey of creating a drug and alcohol free housing space in OSCA. This may include a hall of a co-op or an entire building. This survey will be conducted by the Housing and Membership Committee. Unless a Board proposal policy passes setting a drug and alcohol free space as continuing policy, each housing co-op shall decide each year before the annual lottery whether they will have any drug and alcohol free spaces for next year’s membership in their co- op. Such a free space will follow the recommendations set previously by the Housing and Membership Committee. These guidelines will be sent out to each Housing Loose Ends Coordinator who shall present the issue and policy to their community.