Seattle Community College District VI recognizes that illicit drugs and alcohol abuse are major social problems which affect the health, safety, and security of individuals and organizations.
Federal and State regulations also require a drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. As part of providing a healthful, safe and secure work and learning environment, each employee and student of Seattle Community College District VI is expected to be in appropriate mental and physical condition to perform assigned duties and fully participate in the learning process.
It is the policy of Seattle Community College District to prohibit the unlawful manufacturing, distributing, possessing, or use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol. This policy applies to all employees and students of Seattle Community College District VI, while in or on any owned and/or controlled property of Seattle Community College District VI, or while conducting college business regardless of location.
Violation of this policy by an employee will result in discipline up to and including termination of employment depending upon the seriousness of the violation. Disciplinary action will be processed in accordance with Federal and State regulations as well as union agreements. In addition to discipline, an employee who has violated this policy may be required to undergo rehabilitation for drug/alcohol abuse.
Employees who need assistance in dealing with drug/alcohol abuse problems are encouraged to use the Washington State Employees Assistance Program and health insurance plans, as appropriate. Additionally, the District will establish a drug-free awareness program for employees.
Students who violate this policy will be disciplined up to and including expulsion from the District depending upon the seriousness of the violation. Disciplinary action will be processed by the office of the Vice President of Student Services. Students may also lose federal funding and/or grants for their education. Students who need assistance in dealing with drug/alcohol abuse problems are encouraged to seek help through Student Services. Each campus will establish a drug-free awareness program for students.
Nothing stated herein shall preclude Seattle Community College District VI from referring violators of this policy for prosecution as required by law.
Employees required to have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) are subject to pre-employment, post-accident, random and reasonable suspicion testing in accordance with appropriate federal and state statutes.
Post-accident drug and alcohol testing may be conducted by Seattle Community College District for any employee when a work-related incident has occurred involving death, serious bodily injury or significant property/environmental damage, or the potential for death, serious bodily injury, or significant property/environmental damage, and when the employees action(s) or inaction(s) either contributed to the incident or cannot be completely discounted as a contributing factor (per SCCD/WFSE Agreement).
Furthermore, employees and students are required to report any conviction under a criminal drug statute for violations occurring in or on properties controlled and/or owned by Seattle Community College District VI, or while conducting college business.
Employees are to report such conviction to the Human Resources Department within five (5) days after said conviction. Students are to report such conviction to the Office of the Vice President of Student Services within five (5) days after the conviction.
The Seattle Community College District shall determine whether or not the reported conviction of an individual is in any way a part of a federally funded or contracted program. Notification of conviction shall be made to an appropriate federal contracting agency within ten (10) days of having received notice that an employee engaging in the performance of such federally sponsored grant or contract has any conviction of drug violation occurring in the workplace.
Recommended: Policy Manual Coordinator 8/15/90 Submitted to Chancellor's Cabinet for Review 8/15/90 Approved by Chancellor 8/15/90 Submitted to the Board for First Reading 9/4/90 Approved by Board 9/4/90 Authority RCW 28B.50.140(14) Adopted: September 4, 1990 Format Change: January 26, 1998 Amended: July 11, 2005
Green for the 21st Century in Seattle
Innovations in curriculum and operations have earned the 2009 Green Washington Award for the Seattle Community Colleges – Central, North and South. All three colleges are active members of the Seattle Climate Partnership and North was an early signer of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. A district-wide Chancellor’s Sustainability Initiative provides energy, focus and a forum for emerging training and initiatives.
Sustainability is infused into programs ranging from urban agriculture at Central to environmental science, real estate and building management across the district. Students have funded a sustainability coordinator. Campus activities include reducing the carbon footprint and promoting recycling and energy conservation, which earned a “Recycler of the Year” award for South. Last year, the college culinary operations diverted 31 tons of materials to a regional composting facility – which returned the compost to “green” the college landscape.
For more information visit www.seattlecolleges.edu/green
Helping displaced workers to ‘Start Next Quarter’
During the economic downturn, thousands of displaced workers turned to the Seattle Community Colleges at the same time regional employers reported a need for skilled workers to fill jobs in the new economy. To help both potential workers and employers, the Seattle Community Colleges developed Start Next Quarter (SNQ), a two-part initiative designed to improve the success of dislocated workers who enroll in technical education programs. SNQ invites prospective students to assess their eligibility for workforce funding online and connects them to a comprehensive two-day college success workshop held at each campus. The workshops are based on a model developed at one of the district campuses. Students who complete the workshop are more likely to complete their training programs and to obtain jobs using their new skills. The project was developed in part through a grant from the League for Innovation, funded by the Walmart Foundation Bright Futures project to serve displaced workers.
Visit www.startnextquarter.org
A Model for the Region
The Opportunity Center for Employment and Education at North Seattle Community College is a regional resource and the first integrated service center of its kind in Washington state. Since the OCE&E opened its doors in spring 2011, more than 40,000 people have come for one-stop help in finding a new job, career retraining or to sign up for public assistance benefits. Founding partners were the state Departments of Social and Health Services and Employment Security, the college, and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. The campus and the new LEED Gold Certified 45,000-square foot facility are in the heart of Seattle’s north end and close to a major transit hub. House Speaker Frank Chopp and Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (sponsor of the legislation and a former Seattle District trustee) championed the OCE&E in the state legislature. The center aims to provide streamlined services in a positive environment, helping clients succeed in the next stage of their lives.