B.) Rutgers University Sanctions and Procedures A violation of this policy is defined as a drug screen that has tested positive for a banned substance or a violation of the provisions of this policy regarding alcohol.
1.) First Violation: Notification, Treatment, and Sanctions
Positive drug screen results will be communicated by the laboratory to the Director of Sports Medicine. The Director of Sports Medicine will communicate to the Athletic Director, Head Coach, and Sport Psychology Team positive drug screens or other policy violations.
The student-athlete will receive a physical exam and be required to attend a mandatory counseling session with a counselor assigned by the Director of Sports Medicine. The student-athlete and the counselor will develop an individualized treatment contract. The contract will include treatment expectations for the student and it will detail probable future sanctions should the student-athlete commit further violations of the policy.
The specifics of counseling sessions will remain confidential, but the student-athlete will be asked to agree in writing to release reports on attendance and compliance to the Director of Sports Medicine, the Head Coach and the Athletic Director and Sport Psychology team. If discussion with other parties might be helpful to the student-athlete other appropriate releases of information may be specified.
Every student-athlete who commits a first violation of this policy may be suspended for a period of up to two weeks from practice and competition. The Director of Athletics will set the sanction in consultation with the Director of Sports Medicine, the Sports Psychology team, and the Head Coach.
2.) Second Violation: Notification, Treatment and Sanctions
The Athletic Director, Head Coach, and the Sport Psychology team will be notified by the Director of Sports Medicine of a second positive test result or violation of the alcohol policy. A second violation will be understood to mean that the student-athlete is in need of more extensive help. An appropriate counseling and rehabilitation program will be developed for the student-athlete and a written contract will outline that program. The specifics of counseling sessions will remain confidential, but the athlete will be asked to release a report on attendance and treatment compliance to the Director of Sports Medicine, the Head Coach and the Athletic Director. The student-athlete will be expected to follow all treatment recommendations.
The student-athlete who violates the Substance Abuse Policy for a second time will be suspended from all participation in athletic activities immediately for a minimum period of two weeks. If the violation occurs when the athlete is not in season, he or she may be suspended for the first two weeks of their competitive season.
3.) Third Violation of the Substance Abuse Policy
If the student-athlete violates the Substance Abuse Policy for a third time, it must be assumed that the student-athlete has a very significant problem or he or she has made a decision to not abide by the policies of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. This will be treated very seriously. All parties notified of the first two offenses will again be notified.
The third offense will dictate a suspension from practice and athletic competition for a minimum of one full calendar year from the date of the positive drug screen.
The Athletic Director in consultation with the Director of Sports Medicine, the Head Coach, and the Sport Psychology Team will decide whether he or she will be allowed to return for participation as a student-athlete within the Rutgers Division of Intercollegiate Athletics after the suspension. Prior to the suspension the student-athlete will have the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Athletic Director and present evidence of any mitigating circumstances that the student feels are important.
Any further offenses will result in final dismissal from participation in athletics as a member of the Rutgers Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Athletic Director will discuss the appropriate action with the Head Coach and the Director of Sports Medicine. In addition, the Director will recommend to the University Financial Aid Committee that any athletic grant-in-aid not be renewed for any subsequent year.