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Northeastern Junior College values the safety and security of our campus community, including all of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Department of Education enforces the Clery Act. A copy of the Annual Security Report, the daily campus Crime Log, the Fire Log or the Annual Fire Safety Report, may be obtained from or viewed on request, free of charge, at the Student Services office.
Annual Security Reports
A copy of the Annual Security Report and the Annual Fire Safety Report, are available to you at no charge. These logs contain information on any crime or fire events that happen on campus. This document details the policies and procedures that Northeastern Junior College uses to deter and respond to crimes on campus. In it, you will find listings of the measures that Northeastern Junior College has taken to help you maintain your personal safety. You will also find suggestions on how you can increase your own safety, as well as the information required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, the Campus Crime Disclosure Act of 1998, and the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000.
Please contact the Coordinator of Campus Safety at 970-521-6683, or the Vice President of Student Services at 970-521-6657 for a full version. Full versions of the Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Report will be sent via email (PDF version), or can be available for pick-up at a scheduled appointment. You may also reach out to them for a copy of the Daily Crime Log as well as the Fire Log.
This review allows NJC to stay in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. The signed review is housed in the Office of the Vice President of Student Services in the Hays Student Center at Northeastern Junior College. The on-line version can be accessed at http://www.njc.edu/Publications
This is also where all of our campus documents and policies are located, including the NJC Student Handbook, which contains all of the rules, procedures, and sanctions for alcohol and drug offenses. The campus safety report and the crime statistics report can also be found at the NJC publications web link. This review covers the period from August 2018 through August 2020. The review panel is as follows:
Cindy Carey, Guidance Coordinator
Jeri Estrada, Director of Human Resources
Marci Henry, Director of Athletics/Events Center
Kodi Johnson, Director of Student Success, Equity and Inclusion Trenton Schwarzer, Coordinator of Campus Safety & Security Steve Smith, Vice President of Student Services
Tim Stahley, Director of Residence Life & Student Activities
The panel collected the data and information in the review by year-round documentation of programs and reports, by information gathered for the Campus Safety Report, by Clery data, and by department records.
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Education program at NJC provides multiple levels of influence for better decision making on the part of students and staff to keep healthy, safe and out of legal difficulty regarding alcohol/drug use. The Student Services units of Student Success and Student Life provide a variety of educational programs to the campus. The Student Services judicial area utilizes a system of educational sanctions regarding violations of the zero tolerance for alcohol use on the campus. The NJC Athletic program supports a drug-testing program with education and counseling. The administration has supportive relationships with local law enforcement to assist in managing on and off campus activities. Faculty and staff all play an ongoing support role in their leadership and interaction with students.
Goal:
Create a campus community that is conducive to academic and personal success by providing a comprehensive AOD prevention program consisting of the following program elements:
The AOD appears on web site and in Student Handbook (3.24). This is widely distributed through orientation and mailings.
3.24 Substance Abuse Involving Alcohol and/or Marijuana
Northeastern Junior College recognizes the social and personal consequences of drinking alcohol and the pressure to drink as part of the college rite of passage as a young adult. We also recognize the college's responsibility to enforce the state law, which limits legal consumption of alcohol to persons over 21 years of age, and the Drug and Alcohol-Free Campus Federal Law, which restricts any alcohol or drugs on campus or associated with a college activity. As a local, state and federally funded college we must abide by all legal regulations and then realistically deal with the student behaviors related to alcohol use/abuse.
Note 1: The College may notify parents/guardians when their son/daughter violates the substance abuse policy after the first violation. This notification is allowed to all parents/guardians of students under the age of 21 years. The college reserves the right to withhold notification on the first violation but will notify parents for any violation after level one.
Note 2: Although possession and use of marijuana for certain medical conditions consistent with the requirements of the Colorado constitution is no longer a crime in the State of Colorado, the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Consistent with federal law, including the Controlled Substances Act and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the use and/or possession of marijuana continues to be prohibited while a student is on campus, including in campus housing.
Police. The College will notify police when students are in possession of alcohol, marijuana and/or other drugs in a residence hall room or any other location on campus. This procedure applies to all discipline levels including level one.
Northeastern Junior College will respond to all known incidents of alcohol possession on campus property or any college activity and any other violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Strictly punitive measures as required by law do not serve the needs of our students. Violations of the alcohol policy will be dealt with at the education and behavior change level first. The goal of the Alcohol/Drug Education Procedure is to inform, educate and seek behavior change. The college assumes each student is developmentally normal and will respond to reasonable educational sanctions regarding alcohol use. The four-level education/intervention strategy provides appropriate assistance from the experimental user through the difficult chemical dependent level of addiction. Northeastern Junior College will abide by all laws while providing alcohol/drug education and will enforce appropriate disciplinary consequences of all alcohol use.
Note 1: Situations where excessive quantities of alcohol/marijuana are found may result in the disciplinary level/sanction being enforced at a higher level. A resident hall student who is in possession of a large amount of marijuana may face eviction from the residence halls.
Note 2: A combination of alcohol, marijuana, and/or other drug offenses in a single incident will result in an increase in the sanction levels of any/all procedures.
A student who has been reported for a first violation of the alcohol/marijuana policy will be required to complete the following educational sanctions (Note: Presence of paraphernalia or devices used to smoke marijuana is also considered a level one violation.
A Residence Hall Director, Director of Residence Life, Student Guidance Coordinator, or Vice President of Student Services will review the procedure and will give the student the appropriate assessment to complete and turn in to the Student Success Center staff. The student will be required to schedule an appointment with the Student Guidance Coordinator within 30 days of the report of the offense. The student has five days to complete an appeal through appropriate due process if deemed necessary.
The student will be required to participate in an appointment with the Student Guidance Coordinator to determine if counseling assistance is needed and to discuss the results of the assessment. If the student lives on campus, they are required to meet with a Residence Hall Director (or an Assistant Hall Director, Director of Residence Life, or the Vice President of Student Services) to be assigned appropriate Educational Sanctions. Completion of all sanctions is required before any future enrollment at the college. The Vice President of Student Services or the Director of Residential Life will monitor the completion of all educational sanctions.
A student who has been reported for a first violation of the alcohol/marijuana procedure will be placed on Disciplinary Probation for thirty (30) days, beginning at the time the offense is reported. Additional violations during the warning period will cause the probation to increase two levels.
Level One is possession only with no intent to sell or distribute. With possession there may be other people present—either students or non-students. There may be intent to use the substance, or it may simply be in the presence of others. All persons present will be subject to the sanction. Amount and type of illegal substance in possession does not exceed a misdemeanor legal summons. An amount of controlled-illegal substance that is excessive beyond a misdemeanor level will cause Level Two or Level Three sanctions. Many substances are considered felony regardless of amount. In these instances, the sanctions will be those of Level Two or Level Three. Eviction may occur, as defined in Level Two.
An illegal possession will result in a police call for summons – always. This will require educational sanctions to be assigned and referral to NJC Counseling Services for assessment of need. The student must schedule an appointment with the NJC Student Guidance Coordinator within 14 days of the report of the offense/ The student will also be referred to an off-campus chemical Student Guidance Coordinator for an assessment at their own expense. Disciplinary Probation is for sixty (60) days. A repeat offense involving substance abuse within a four (4) semester time frame will result in a Level Three College Sanction of interim action.
Level Two is the second offense of what is stated above, in Level One.
An illegal possession/use of a controlled substance will result in a police call for a summons – always. The college judicial action is immediate eviction (within 2 to 24 hours) and complete restriction from any residence hall and cafeteria. Disciplinary Probation is assigned for one (1) semester or ninety (90) days. A repeat offense involving a violation of substance abuse within a four (4) semester time frame will result in a Level Three College Sanction of interim action.
Possession of an excessive amount is interpreted as intent to sell or distribute. There may have been observed behavior of selling, distributing of an illegal-controlled substance. This activity may be confined to one room or expanded to more than one area on campus. Amount and type of controlled substance exceeds the misdemeanor level.
An illegal possession/use and distribution of a controlled substance will result in a police call for summons – always. The college judicial action is immediate eviction (within 2 hours) and an interim action from college, which may result in suspension following an investigation. As part of the interim action, complete removal from campus property will take place within two (2 hours) with police escort and total restriction from returning to campus until further notice.
Some of the leading psychological risks of alcohol/drug use are:
Some of the leading medical risks are:
Northeastern Junior College encourages all students who have identified drug or alcohol problems to seek rehabilitation treatment before disciplinary sanctions have to be implemented as outlined in the student procedures. Most treatment programs which are supervised by professional doctors, psychologists are covered under most student health insurance programs. Student may receive on- campus assistance from the NJC Student Success Office, phone 521-6663.
Local Resources:
970-521-6663
NJC has a professional Student Guidance Coordinator trained in drug/alcohol and behavior intervention. This center is a first step in determining the needed support and resources for an individual’s problem with alcohol or drug education. Consultation and referrals to other agencies and treatment programs are made.
General treatment and alcohol/drug treatment programs.
211 West Main Street Sterling, CO 80751
970-522-4392 (24 hours)
CMH provides comprehensive community based mental health services consisting of outpatient clinic, partial care, residential, inpatient, consultation and education. Centennial also provides crisis and emergency intervention services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They also provide Level II and III Alcohol Education Therapy groups to DUI drivers and court referrals. Also provides volunteer outpatient services and referrals for persons seeking treatment for alcohol and drug related problems.
1325 North 7th Street - 522-4538
AA and Al Anon meetings are held several times a week. These serve as support groups for people desiring to stop drinking as well as for family and friends.
A list of statewide drug and alcohol treatment resources is available upon request from the NJC Guidance Coordinator. This includes the Colorado Crisis Line (844) 493-TALK. Employees of the college also have Counseling Services available through C-SEAP. Information about C-SEAP can be obtained in Walker Hall and the Human Resources Office.
The college conducts biennial reviews to determine program effectiveness, to show if procedures implemented need changes and to ensure disciplinary sanctions are enforced fairly and consistently. AA and Al Anon meetings are held several times a week. These serve as support groups for people desiring to stop drinking as well as for family and friends.
Strengths. The high level of involvement in student activities on an alcohol free campus. Enforcement of AOD policies as well as educational follow up efforts as part of the disciplinary process. Educational programs are delivered to the campus throughout the year. The NJC Athletic program supports the alcohol-free environment with enforcement of rules for athletes including random drug testing. We have a personal campus community where faculty and staff interact often with students. Second time disciplinary infractions are low. We offer many social events for residential and commuter students. These activities serve as a viable alternative to drinking events held elsewhere in the community.
In Fall 2018, NJC started the Health Committee specifically to address health issues relating to students. We have also completed the installation of outdoor security cameras all across campus, which serves as a deterrent to drug and alcohol illegal activity. Additionally, our campus lighting has been significantly improved in recent years. NJC has a strong and active Safety & Security Committee, chaired by our Coordinator of Campus Safety and Security. Several local law enforcement agencies have active representation on this committee.
Weaknesses. There continues to be alcohol purchases made for minors by others in the community; there is a need to continue to offer more alternative social events for students on campus. We have no formal campus security, and we need to enhance security efforts in parking areas to assist with prohibition of alcohol/drug use. Some alcohol consumption and driving occurs at parties off 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.
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:
NJC sponsors a number of educational programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses.
The college realizes the necessity of education as a prevention strategy and will continue to seek ways to deliver this message to our students.
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.
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.
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.
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
S.A.R.A., Inc. (Ft. Morgan) | 970-867-2121 or |
S.A.R.A. now has offices in Yuma and Sterling | 855-440-SARA |
N.E. Colorado Health Department | 970-522-3741 |
Help for Abused Partners | 970-522-2307 |
Centennial Mental Health | 970-522-4392 |
Sterling Police Department | 970-522-3512 |
Logan County Sheriff’s Department | 970-522-2578 |
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.
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.