Information for Students | Alcohol & Drugs
Substance Use Services
Student Counseling Center | 503-352-2191 | The Student Counseling Center (SCC) is committed to improving students’ well-being by co-creating nurturing spaces for students to heal, grow, and develop belonging. We bring an awareness of the impact of systemic oppression and recognize that well-being encompasses cultural, emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development.
Counseling is available through the Student Counseling Center in the Forest Grove and Hillsboro offices as well as teletherapy as long as the student is physically located within the state of Oregon at the time of the appointment. Counseling services are free of charge for all students who have paid the Student Support Fee (which is included in all tuition statements unless otherwise specified).
The SCC also provides counseling adapted from the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) and Brief Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students (CASICS) for students who are interested as well as those who have been referred from the Office of Student Conduct and/or through the Medical Amnesty Protocol. BASICS and CASICS are preventive interventions that utilize harm-reduction approaches designed to help college students explore their substance use in a non-judgemental setting, reduce risky behavior and harmful consequences, identify changes that could help you reduce risk, and provide important information and skills for risk-reduction.
To schedule an appointment or learn about services, please visit: Student Counseling Center website, emailing counselingcenter@pacificu.edu, or calling 503-352-2191. The Student Counseling Center 24/7 Crisis and Support Line is also available by calling 503-352-2999.
Student and Employee Health Center (SEHC) | 503-352-2269 | The SEHC is committed to providing accessible, quality healthcare and disease prevention to promote physical and emotional wellness.
To schedule an appointment or learn about services, please visit the Student and Employee Health Center website, email healthcenter@contact.pacificu.edu, or call 503-352-2269.
3rd Millennium | Online Education Courses about Alcohol and Cannabis for low-level and/or initial conduct violations. Courses are assigned by the Office of Student Conduct and the conduct procedure is outlined later in this notification.
Prevention, Education and Support
Orientation Programming | All incoming students—both first-year and transfer—receive education about the Pacific University Student Code of Conduct during their New Student Orientation, including a review of the University’s Alcohol, Drug, and Other Substance Policies. This information is delivered during a required session by the Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Specialist or a University representative.
Student Counseling Center | The SCC also provides counseling adapted from the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) and Brief Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students (CASICS) for students who are interested as well as those who have been referred from the Office of Student Conduct and/or through the Medical Amnesty Protocol. SCC clinicians also work with students presenting with substance use concerns through the Center’s short-term counseling model. BASICS and CASICS are preventive interventions that utilize harm-reduction approaches designed to help college students explore their substance use in a non-judgemental setting, reduce risky behavior and harmful consequences, identify changes that could help you reduce risk, and provide important information and skills for risk-reduction.
Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Specialist (MHPPS) | Tabling around alcohol and substance use occurs on a regular basis throughout the academic year. The MHPPS can also assist students with exploring recovery options and communities as well as referral to campus-based resources. This position also provides training for Campus Living Residential Assistants around University policies and procedures related to alcohol, drugs and other substances. The MHPPS leads a multidisciplinary Substance Use and Harm Reduction Working Group with campus colleagues dedicated to supporting students impacted by substance use concerns and cultivating a campus community oriented towards wellbeing, recovery and allyship. The MHPPS has also worked with the SAFE Project to bring Naloxone to campus (see below) as well as offer new workshops related to the intersections of substance use and mental health.
Substance Use and Harm Reduction Working Group (SUHRWG) | This working group, comprised of students, staff and faculty, meets monthly to working on advancing efforts related to substance use prevention, education and harm reduction. The working group focuses on longer-term and ongoing initiatives that support wellbeing at Pacific. A primary project has been the development of campus policy and procedures for the distribution of Naloxone (an opioid-overdose medication) as well as the training in its use for campus partners. The working group develops campus programming, including panel discussions on addiction and recovery.
Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Other Drug/Substance Use (downloadable PDF)
Alcohol and Other Drug/Substance Policies
The following information is drawn from the Pacific University Student Code of Conduct, available through the embedded link. A physical copy can be requested through the Campus Living office at 503-352-2936.
Code of Conduct Jurisdiction, Rules Regulations for violations of aforementioned Code.
Article III: Proscribed Conduct
A. Jurisdiction of the University Student Code
The University Student Code shall apply to conduct that adversely affects the University Community and/or the pursuit of its objectives. This conduct may occur at any time throughout the calendar year, on University premises, at University sponsored activities, or at any off-campus venue wherein a Pacific student acts. Each student shall be responsible for personal conduct from the time of their acceptance of admission through the actual awarding of a degree. The Student Code shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student severs the relationship with the University while a disciplinary matter is pending. The Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, shall decide whether the Student Code shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus or out-of-term, on a case by case basis.
B. Conduct—Rules and Regulations
Any student found to have committed, to have attempted to commit, or to have significantly aided in the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV. An attempt to commit a violation is a violation in and of itself. The fact that a student may be influenced by other aspects, such as but not limited to, alcohol or other drugs, during a violation shall in no way limit or excuse the student’s responsibility for the consequences of their behavior. A student is also responsible for the behavior of guests and may face disciplinary sanctions for guests’ behaviors even if the student host was not present at the time.
Subsection 9. Alcohol – Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by University regulations), or obvious intoxication. This includes the promotion of binge drinking or rapid, excessive alcohol consumption, or the aiding of another to obtain alcohol inappropriately. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age. This includes, but is not limited to, all violations of State and Federal laws. All activities and events where alcohol is served must be authorized through appropriate University personnel and conducted in accordance with University regulations.
NOTE: Situations in which students are under the influence of alcohol may present health and safety concerns. The University regards the health and safety of community members as paramount and expects students to be responsible in their use of alcohol. Anyone aware of a health or safety concern should contact emergency personnel immediately.
Subsection 10. Illegal Substances/Illegal Use of Substances/Paraphernalia – Use or possession of illegal or potentially harmful substances, including, but not limited to, marijuana, heroin, narcotics, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law. Possession of items that facilitate the use of illegal substances such as pipes, bongs, and/or homemade devices are prohibited, except as expressly permitted by law. This includes, but is not limited to, all violations of State and Federal laws. Also the illegal or harmful use of legal substances.
Subsection 11. Distribution and/or Manufacturing of Illegal Substances –The manufacturing or distribution of illegal or potentially harmful substances, including, but not limited to, marijuana, heroin, narcotics, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law. This includes, but is not limited to, all violations of State and Federal laws. Because this behavior is actively destructive to the fabric of the community, sanctions related to the conduct will be more severe.
Drug-Free Workplace
The University maintains a drug-free workplace policy in alignment with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. This statute requires that all institutions receiving grants from any federal agency certify to that agency that they will maintain a drug-free workplace. The Pacific University Drug-Free Workplace Policy was developed to accomplish this purpose and is available online.
The University strongly encourages students and employees to voluntarily obtain assistance for dependence on or abuse of alcohol or drugs before such behavior results in an arrest and/or disciplinary referral which might result in their separation from the institution.
Help is available both on Pacific University’s campuses and within their local communities for students and faculty/staff members who are dependent on, or who misuse alcohol or other substances. Available resources are detailed in the sections “Resource for Students” and “Resources for Employees” above.
Smoke-free Workplace
Information about Pacific University’s Smoke-free Workplace can be found here.
Standards Of Conduct And Disciplinary Sanctions For Students Regarding Alcohol And Drug Use
The Student Code of Conduct should be reviewed by all students in its entirety. The below Policies are those directly related to Alcohol, Drugs and Other Substances. The procedures for student conduct violations, hearings, and sanctions/disposition can be found in Article IV of the Student Code of Conduct.
APPENDIX | Updated October 2023