The U.S. Department of Education has issued regulations implementing the provisions of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) recognizes the College’s responsibility to provide a safe, drug-free work environment for its employees, students, and guests.  The U.S. Department of Education regulations require the College to distribute information concerning the possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs.

Standards of Conduct

Southwest Tech is focused on the protection of the campus community, takes a strong stand against substance abuse, and will vigorously enforce its rules regarding alcohol and illegal drug use. Students and employees of Southwest Tech agree to comply with all College regulations as a condition of enrollment or employment. As responsible adults and representatives of the College, they are accountable for their actions both on and off campus. Southwest Tech supports and will cooperate with authorities of the federal, state, and local governments in the enforcement of public laws and regulations regarding alcohol and illegal drugs.

All Southwest Tech students and employees are expected to abide by the terms of the College’s policies. A student and/or employee found to be in possession, illegally using, or distributing drugs and/or alcohol may be subject to appropriate sanctions. Such sanctions may include and are not limited to:

  • referral for prosecution;

  • termination of employment; and/or

  • referral to the Behavior Intervention Team for violations of the Student Code of Conduct which may result in reprimand, probation, suspension or expulsion.

More information on protecting the campus community is included in the Drug-Free Schools & Communities Act Biennial Report.

Drug & Alcohol Awareness Program

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 regulations require the College to distribute information annually, in writing, concerning the possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs at Southwest Tech.  In addition to this information, the College provides related information on sanctions for violation of its policies, health risks of drugs and alcohol, and resources for assistance with illicit use and abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College’s policies on alcohol and illicit drugs outline information on College sanctions for violation of these policies, criminal sanctions for the illegal possession or distribution of drugs and alcohol, health risks of drugs and alcohol, and resources for alcohol and drug abuse for students and employees. These policies will be distributed annually to each Southwest Tech student and employee at the beginning of the fall semester. Southwest Tech reviews its alcohol and drug programs annually for effectiveness and consistency of application and, where necessary, makes appropriate changes. Questions or concerns regarding Southwest Tech policies should be addressed to the Compliance Officer at compliance@swtc.edu

  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

  • Southwest Tech takes a strong stance against substance abuse and will enforce its rules regarding alcohol and other drug use. The College focuses on the protection of the campus community and supports and cooperates with authorities of federal, state, and local governments in the enforcement of public laws and regulations regarding alcohol and illicit drugs.

    Southwest Tech’s Alcohol and Other Drug Policy. is available to students, employees, and the public.

  • Student Policies and Sanctions

  • The unlawful use of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances by students, staff, and faculty adversely affects the educational environment at Southwest Tech. Therefore, all members of the campus community must adhere to established College policies, as well as to local, state, and federal laws.

    Student Policies


    Southwest Tech’s Alcohol and Other Drug Policy is available to students, employees, and the public.


    Employees, students, and campus guests, regardless of age, are expected to refrain from the unlawful use of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances, and/or drug paraphernalia, including hookahs, on Southwest Tech-owned or leased premises including Foundation and Real Estate Foundation-owned or leased premises or at College-sponsored/supported events, while driving a College vehicle or while otherwise engaged in College business. The only exception is if alcohol is served as part of an event listed under the Allowable Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs section in the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy.


    In addition, the following policies are specific to students:

    • Alcohol and tobacco cannot be advertised.

    • Illegal use of substances - Illegal use, possession, sale, or distribution of controlled substances, associated paraphernalia, and/or alcohol on property owned or leased by the College, Foundation or Real Estate Foundation or at College-sponsored activities is prohibited.

    • Hazing - Doing, requiring or encouraging any forced activity, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation, admission into, or continued membership or participation in any group that causes or creates a reasonable risk of mental or physical harm or humiliation is strictly prohibited. Hazing may include: any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, or branding; forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance; forced confinement; or any other forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student.

    Student Sanctions for Behavioral Misconduct


    Southwest Tech is focused on the protection of the campus community, takes a strong stand against substance abuse, and will vigorously enforce its rules regarding alcohol and illegal drug use. Violations of alcohol, illicit drugs, and related paraphernalia may also trigger a report to law enforcement.


    The range of outcomes, consequences, and sanctions include, but are not limited to:

    • Verbal reprimand – Verbal notice to the student that their actions are inappropriate and the individual must act more responsibly in the future.

    • Written reprimand - Written notice to the student that their actions are inappropriate and the individual must act more responsibly in the future.

    • Corrective action – Required corrective action including, but not limited to, academic counseling, substance abuse screening, writing a letter of apology, etc.

    • Educational program – Enrolling in an educational program addressing the related issues. Referral to an off-campus education program may be recommended.

    • Loss of privileges/access - Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time such as a restriction from hosting visitors and/or guests in housing; prohibitions on entering a specified housing facility; restriction from College-sponsored extracurricular activities or work positions on campus; other restrictions, as approved by the Chief Student Services Officer or designee.

    • Restitution/compensation - Monetary penalties for loss, damage, or injury.

    • No contact directive - Directive to avoid all contact with complainant or other individual including via in-person, email, cellphone, social media, or other electronic medium.

    • Mandated housing reassignment – Immediate relocation of the respondent to another housing residence.

    • Probation - Probation for a designated period of time. Additional disciplinary sanctions will be imposed if the student engages in behavioral misconduct during the probationary period.

    • Housing probation - Housing probation for a designated period of time. Additional disciplinary sanctions will be imposed if the student engages in behavioral misconduct during the probationary period.

    • Disciplinary suspension - Suspension results in separation from the College for a specific minimum period of time, after which the respondent is eligible to return, usually after meeting certain conditions. During the suspension period, the student is banned from property owned, leased, or controlled by the College, Foundation or Real Estate Foundation, including student housing and is banned from school-sponsored events and activities. The sanction may be enforced with a trespass action as necessary. Students suspended for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to any refund of tuition or housing fees.

    • Housing suspension - Separation from the student housing area for a specific period of time, after which the student may be eligible to return. During the suspension period, the student is banned from student housing. The sanction may be enforced with a trespass action as necessary. Students suspended for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to any refund of housing fees.

    • Expulsion - A permanent separation from the College. The student is banned from property owned, leased, or controlled by the College, Foundation or Real Estate Foundation, including student housing, and at College-sponsored events. This sanction may be enforced with a trespass action as necessary. Students that are expelled for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to any refund of tuition or housing fees.

    • Housing expulsion - Permanent removal of the student from student housing. The sanction will most likely result in a permanent ban from all student housing properties. Students dismissed from student housing for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to any refund of housing fees.

    • Academic removal - Removal of student from an academic course ("W" grade shown on transcript).

    • Confiscation of Prohibited Property – Confiscation of illegal or prohibited items for specified period of time. Any controlled substances, including alcohol, will be discarded or turned over to law enforcement.

    • Parental notification - The College reserves the right to notify parents/guardians of dependent* students of violations of the Code and may do so for drug and alcohol violations. The College may also notify parents/guardians of all students who are under the age of 21 of drug and alcohol violations. (*A dependent is defined by FERPA as a student who is dependent for tax purposes.)

    • When the severity of the circumstances warrants, the Chief Student Services Officer; Executive Director of Facilities, Safety, & Security; Director of Public Safety & Advising; Vice President for Administrative Services; Chief Human Resources Officer; and/or President may impose upon the respondent a temporary suspension or separation from the College, including classes and College housing.

  • Employee Policies and Sanctions

  • The unlawful use of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances by students, staff, and faculty adversely affects the educational environment at Southwest Tech. Therefore, all members of the campus community must adhere to established College policies, as well as to local, state, and federal laws.

    Southwest Tech’s Alcohol and Other Drug Policy. is available to students, employees, and the public.

    Employee Policies

    • Employees are required to report to work in appropriate mental and physical condition and perform their jobs in a satisfactory manner. If an employee is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or an illegal drug, they may be requested to immediately submit to a drug and/or alcohol test. If the result of the test is positive, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
    • The legal use of drugs currently prescribed for an employee is permitted on the job only if it does not impair the employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job effectively and in a safe manner.
    • Employees, students, and campus guests, regardless of age, are expected to refrain from the unlawful use of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances, and/or drug paraphernalia, including hookahs, on Southwest Tech-owned or leased premises including Foundation and Real Estate Foundation-owned or leased premises or at College-sponsored/supported events, while driving a College vehicle or while otherwise engaged in College business. The only exception is if alcohol is served as part of an event listed under the Allowable Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs section in the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy..

    Employee Sanctions

    Employee discipline may take the form of a verbal warning, written warning, suspension (with or without pay), disciplinary demotion, or termination, depending upon the circumstances. The severity of the discipline shall be determined by the College in it sole discretion and in accordance with its disciplinary procedures. The supervisor, in consultation with Human Resources, may place an employee on a performance improvement plan. The employee must demonstrate a willingness and ability to meet and maintain the conduct and work requirements as specified in the performance improvement plan.

    The range of sanctions include:

    • Verbal warning – A verbal warning will involve a supervisor holding a conference with an employee. During the conference, the supervisor will verbally discuss concerns and what changes in job performance or behavior are necessary. The supervisor will document the concerns and expectations and inform the employee that future violations could lead to further discipline. The employee and supervisor will be asked to sign and data a document, indicating that its contents have been discussed. The employee may write a rebuttal, within 60 days of the issuance of the verbal warning, which will be attached to the document. A copy of the document(s) will be provided to the employee and filed in the employee’s personnel file.

    • Written warning – Following an investigation, an employee may receive a written warning. A supervisor will hold a conference with the employee and present a written warning to the employee that specifies the violations, what changes in job performance or behavior are necessary, and the consequences for failure to improve. The employee and supervisor will be asked to sign and date the document, indicating the written warning has been received. The employee may write a rebuttal, within 60 days of the issuance of the written warning, which will be attached to the document. A copy of the document(s) will be provided to the employee and filed in the employee’s personnel file.

    • Suspension – During or following an investigation, an employee may be suspended with or without pay.

    • Disciplinary demotion – Following an investigation, an employee may receive a disciplinary demotion. Disciplinary demotion is the movement to a different position, which may result in a lower salary.

    • Termination – Following an investigation, employment may be terminated. Termination is an involuntary separation of employment. The employee will receive written notice of termination. Whenever possible, a conference will be scheduled with the employee to inform the employee of the termination. A copy of the termination notice will be placed in the employee’s personnel file.

  • Legal Sanctions
  • Health Risks

  • The following are summaries of the major health risks and common symptoms associated with alcohol and other drug use and abuse. This is not a complete listing but does provide an overview.

    Alcohol

    Drinking too much – on a single occasion or over time – can take a serious toll on your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the following risks are associated with alcohol use and abuse.

    Short-Term Health Risks

    Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

    • Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.

    • Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.

    • Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.

    • Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

    • Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women.

    Long-Term Health Risks

    Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:

    • High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.

    • Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.

    • Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.

    • Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.

    • Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

    • Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment.

    • Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.

    By not drinking too much, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks.

    For more information on alcohol use and abuse, go to the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm More information can be found at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body.

    Marijuana, Methamphetamine, and Other Drugs

    According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), all drug use comes with risks and takes their toll on you and your family. Drug use, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, as well as prescription drug misuse and illicit opioids, pose different dangers. Drug use can lead to dependence and addiction, injury and accidents, health problems, sleep issues, and more. For more information on drug health risks, SAMHSA has great information on it’s website located at https://www.samhsa.gov/adult-drug-use.

    Over time, the regular or habitual use of drugs becomes a crutch and only adds to the stress. Drugs can also cause other harms, including:

    • Cocaine: Highly addictive, cocaine is involved in nearly one in five overdose deaths; its health effects include asthma, bowel decay, and increased risk of HIV.

    • Prescription and Illicit Opioids: Highly addictive, the substances are the top cause of overdose deaths; health effects include confusion, nausea, constipation, coma, and brain damage.

    Marijuana

    Marijuana use comes with real risks that can impact a person’s health and life. There are real risks for people who use marijuana, especially youth and young adults, and women who are pregnant or nursing. Today’s marijuana is stronger than ever before. People can and do become addicted to marijuana.

    Marijuana use can have negative and long-term effects:

    • Brain Health: Marijuana can cause permanent IQ loss of as much as 8 points when people start using it at a young age. These IQ points do not come back, even after quitting marijuana.

    • Mental Health: Studies link marijuana use to depression, anxiety, suicide planning, and psychotic episodes. It is not known, however, if marijuana use is the cause of these conditions.

    • Athletic Performance: Research shows that marijuana affects timing, movement, and coordination, which can harm athletic performance.

    • Driving: People who drive under the influence of marijuana can experience dangerous effects: slower reactions, lane weaving, decreased coordination, and difficulty reacting to signals and sounds on the road.

    • Baby’s Health and Development: Marijuana use during pregnancy may cause fetal growth restriction, premature birth, stillbirth, and problems with brain development, resulting in hyperactivity and poor cognitive function. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other chemicals from marijuana can also be passed from a mother to her baby through breast milk, further impacting a child’s healthy development.

    • Daily Life: Using marijuana can affect performance and how well people do in life. Research shows that people who use marijuana are more likely to have relationship problems, worse educational outcomes, lower career achievement, and reduced life satisfaction.

    Methamphetamine (Meth)

    Meth causes short-term and long-term health effects and sometimes death, even on the first try. Meth speeds up the body’s systems to dangerous levels. Chronic users experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia, paranoia, aggression, and more.

    Short-term Effects

    Even taking small amounts of meth can cause harmful health effects, including:

    • Increased blood pressure and body temperature

    • Faster breathing

    • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

    • Loss of appetite, disturbed sleep patterns, or nausea

    • Erratic, aggressive, irritable, or violent behavior

    Long-term Health Risks

    Chronic meth use can lead to many damaging, long-term health effects, even when people stop taking meth, including:

    • Permanent damage to the heart and brain

    • High blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes, and death

    • Liver, kidney, and lung damage

    • Anxiety, confusion, and insomnia

    • Paranoia, hallucinations, mood disturbances, delusions, or violent behavior (psychotic symptoms can sometimes last for months or years after meth use)

    • Intense itching, causing skin sores from scratching

    • Premature osteoporosis

    • Severe dental problems

  • Resources and Awareness Program
  • Student Resources

    Any student seeking assistance with an alcohol or substance abuse problem can contact the Mental Health Counselor on campus at 608.822.2268 or mhc@swtc.edu. The mental health counselor will conduct an assessment and/or intervention referral for alcohol and other drugs. Southwest Tech also offers students access to BetterMynd mental health counseling. This online mental health service is available at www.bettermynd.com. External drug and alcohol resources are available by dialing 211 or 988, contacting Unified Community Services at Unified Community Services or at the following locations:

    Other county alcohol and other drug use resources available in the Southwest Tech district include:

    Other external resources include:

    Employee Resources

    Employees with alcohol or drug abuse problems are strongly encouraged to seek help. Alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation and assistance programs are available through the College’s health benefits program and through the College Employee Assistance Program. Employees may contact the Office of Human Resources at 608-822-2314 or humanresources@swtc.edu to seek assistance and/or referral to an appropriate outside agency. Employees are encouraged to use the free, confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for assessment and/or intervention referral. The EAP is available to employees on the Charger Hub.

    External drug and alcohol resources are also available to employees by dialing 211 or 988, contacting Unified Community Services at Unified Community Services or at the following locations:

    Other county alcohol and other drug use resources available in the Southwest Tech district include:

    Other external resources include: