Recommendations for revising NJC’s AOD Prevention program:

Need to continually assess the effectiveness of our hours of operation in the Student Center, Library, Event Center and Pete’s Retreat for recreation of an after-hours gathering place on campus.
Our NJC Peer Educator program has floundered this year. It needs to be up and running again to provide peer led education to students regarding alcohol, drugs, and health safety.
Additional educational programming is always needed: pro-health messages/posters around campus; social media blitzes.
Continue to enhance lighting, as deemed necessary.
NJC needs to better track our student activities, and evaluations of these activities. We are starting this in the Fall 201 semester. We will see how well it goes.

Use of Alcoholic Beverages Policy and Programs

Drug Free and Alcohol Free Campus

NJC abides by a “zero tolerance” policy for drugs and alcohol. The NJC policy for Drug Free and Alcohol Free Campus is included in the current Student Policy Handbook and is made available to all students and staff per the campus web site or in hardcopy upon request. The college does not allow the possession, consumption, or sale of alcohol or drugs on campus or at any college sponsored events. “Under the Influence,” where a person has detectable signs of using alcohol or drugs, will be considered a college violation. Any student under the legal age will be subject to the educational sanctions required by the college. Do not bring drugs or alcohol onto the campus and do not come to the campus under the influence. For assistance call (970) 521-6663.

Description of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Education Programs

The Student Services Department at NJC provides the alcohol and drug education program for the campus community. The philosophy behind the program is threefold: education, intervention and prevention. The purpose is to educate the campus community about responsible behaviors with regard to alcohol and drugs, to intervene when alcohol and/or drug use interferes with a healthy lifestyle, and to offer lifestyle options that prevent the onset of problems that can result from irresponsible use of alcohol and use of drugs.

In addition, housing regulations at NJC prohibit the use and/or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs in college housing. The alcohol and drug education program incorporates a component that addresses this regulation and serves as part of the disciplinary and education procedure for students who violate this policy.

The Student Success Center and Student Life departments work closely to deliver education and prevention programs:

The NJC Alcohol and Drug Policy is discussed during small group orientation sessions at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, and in freshman seminar classes
The Alcohol-Wise on line program is required of each new student. Alcohol-Wise is a brief alcohol abuse prevention program. Students are to complete it during the summer months before they arrive for New Student Orientation.
During mandatory floor meetings, the RA’s and the Hall Directors explain the NJC Alcohol and Drug policy to residents.
When students are referred for alcohol and/or drug violations, part of the sanction is a mandatory meeting with the NJC Guidance Coordinator. During this meeting, the guidance coordinator and the student discuss the incident, as well as the role and affect that alcohol and/or drugs have in the student’s life.
With a Level I and a Level II Alcohol Sanction, students complete a written assessment of need. The results of this assessment are discussed with the student during the meeting with the counselor. If it is determined that additional counseling may be required, the student is referred to outside alcohol counseling service providers.
With a Level I and a Level II Drug Sanction, students complete a written assessment of need. The results of this assessment are discussed with the student during the meeting with the counselor. If it is determined that additional counseling may be required, the student is referred to outside drug counseling service providers.
NJC Student Success Center staff make presentations in residence halls throughout the year. Impaired driving and Alcohol Poisoning are topics that are regularly covered and discussed with NJC residents.
Referral: Should a student, faculty or staff member exhibit maladjusted behaviors involving the use of alcohol and/or other drugs that warrant more intensive therapy beyond our program, a referral is made to one of the local counseling agencies. Under circumstances where the policy has been violated, the college may require referral to an alcohol and/or drug rehabilitation program. Finally, under circumstances where an individual is perceived to be a danger to him/her or others as a result of alcohol and/or drug use, the college reserves the right to involuntarily refer the individual to the appropriate treatment facility or agency.

Description of Sexual Assault Educational Programs

NJC sponsors a number of educational programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses.

The Alcohol-Wise on line program is required of each new student. Alcohol-Wise is a brief alcohol abuse prevention program. Students are to complete it during the summer months before they arrive for New Student Orientation. Alcohol Wise has a component on Sexual Assault Prevention and Respect.
The Residence Life program promotes resident assistant program preventing sexual assault. These include inviting in community resource staff to share information on keeping oneself safe and the risks in a college environment.

Printed information that is available in residence halls and in the student center cover the topics of date rape, stranger rape, sexual assault and other related topics including what to do should a rape occur.
Crime prevention tips are displayed campus wide via poster and reports. Students that live on campus are given staying safe on campus material at the time that they arrive as part of their orientation. This also occurs for students who stay for shorter periods in the summer semester.
Residence Hall staff are trained as referral people and are knowledgeable about the college and community services available to victims of sexual assault.
The Student Success Center staff conducts awareness/education promotions throughout the year on sexual responsibility and awareness of safety issues around drinking/drug use and date rape.
The Student Success Center also offers a library of self-help written materials that can be checked out.
Individual personal adjustment assistance and support is available by request or by referral in the Student Success Center, Hays Student Center 132.
The college has a cooperative relationship with Centennial Mental Health Center, a social service provider for long-term assistance. The college support S.A.R.A. Inc. (Sexual Assault Response Advocates) and establishes communication each year as new staff come into the college. SARA provides sexual assault awareness and prevention programs to our student population, especially to new students during Orientation programming.
All of our athletes are specifically taught Sexual Assault Prevention and Title IX protocols by our Title IX Coordinator.

The college realizes the necessity of education as a prevention strategy and will continue to seek ways to deliver this message to our students.

Assistance for Sexual Assault

Northeastern Junior College encourages all student victims of rape, or any sexual offense, to report such crimes to the appropriate police agency where the assault occurred. If an NJC staff member is notified or aware of such an incident, they have responsibility to assist the victim in knowing their options for reporting and to get medical attention. The victim has the right to determine whether they want to report and file charges with local police. When the local police are contacted, an officer trained in sexual assault support services as well as a rape response counselor will respond to preserve evidence, arrange personal/psychological counseling and attend to the immediate needs of the student. Following a sexual assault, the victim’s physical well-being is the primary concern. Support staff on campus will provide support at the request of the victim and confidentiality will be strictly maintained in all sexual offense cases. The college will provide the necessary support to prevent long-term physical and emotional consequences.

The college also follows lawful procedures for investigating Sexual misconduct in accordance with Title IX laws and regulations. NJC Title IX sexual assault investigators are trained through the Colorado Community College System legal counsel and through NCHERM and ATIXA.

Possible sanctions for rape, acquaintance rape or other sex offenses (forcible or non-forcible) following an on-campus formal report resulting in disciplinary procedure may include, but are not limited to, “probation, suspension, restriction, or dismissal from student housing and/or the college.” The victim must formally report the alleged rape to the chief student affairs officer in order for campus judicial process to move forward. The due process rights of both the alleged victim and perpetrator will be protected.

Preventing Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment incident must be reported to the Title IX Coordinator which allows the victim to file an informal or formal complaint. In student harassment incidents, both the student victim and the student respondent will be asked to file statements for the judicial decision. College jurisdiction is limited to college enrollment status of any student; the victim may also consider filing legal charges. The college does not tolerate student harassment in any form. For any alleged victim of sexual assault and harassment the college will give the victim the option of changing academic and living situation to alleviate personal distress.

College and Community Referral Services

NJC support staff are available to assist any sexual assault victim to support the person with personal decisions regarding legal and medical needs. The college guidance coordinator will explain the immediate steps to be taken and the resources that are available. The guidance coordinator will assist the victim with making connections with community resources as needed and desired by the student.

Northeastern Junior College

Northeastern Junior College Student Success Center - 521-6663

Sterling

S.A.R.A., Inc. (Ft. Morgan) - 867-2121 or 855-440-SARA

N.E. Colorado Health Department - 522-3741

Help for Abused Partners - 522-2307

Centennial Mental Health - 522-4392

Sterling Police Department - 522-3512

Logan County Sheriff’s Department - 522-2578

Off Campus Conduct

The college is a part of the local community and we expect students to be good representatives of the college both on and off campus. Acceptable conduct for all students is described in the Student Code of Conduct. Jurisdiction for student legal and behavioral problems off campus/non-college activity are limited to conduct that has impact upon the college and is a violation of the Code of Conduct. A student violation of law or the Code of Conduct committed off campus that has a severe and detrimental impact on any student, staff or the college is grounds for interim suspension. The safety and security of students and staff will be considered when off campus conduct warrants college action. The college has a close working relationship with the Sterling Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Department to preserve and protect the citizens of Logan County and the students and staff of Northeastern Junior College.

On Campus Violations

Nine (9) Alcohol Violations—August 2018 to August 2020

Four (4) Drug Violations—August 2018 to August 2020

The above violations are from the Annual Crime Log (2108, 2019, and 2020). The drug violations include Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, as well as both misdemeanor and felony drug offenses.