Substance Abuse Education and Testing Disciplinary Actions

A. The McPherson College Substance Abuse Program is a rollover program. A student-athlete’s time clock begins upon the first day of arrival at McPherson College, and continues until completion of tenure, athletic or academic, at McPherson College. Academic re-admit students will be handled in the same manner, regardless of the amount of time elapsed during the absence.

B. Release from a sport does not stop a student-athlete’s clock. In the event of athletic reinstatement or re-assignment to another sport, the tenure will be considered a single athletic term from the original participation tenure.

C. For academically ineligible or declared “redshirt” or “medical redshirt” student-athletes, the Department of Athletics reserves the right to discuss appropriate sanctions in the event of a positive test, as well as on/off campus violations.    

D. Event count will be solely determined by the schedule that is posted on the McPherson College Athletic Webpage (www.macbulldogs.com), provided by the Sports Information office of McPherson College. If a potential discrepancy is present between known events and posted events, verbal communication shall occur with the Sports Information office to verify event counts.

• Cancelled/postponed events do not affect the total event count. Final Event Counts will be calculated no later than August 15 for fall and winter sports, and January 15 for spring sports.
• Cancelled/postponed events do not count towards a student-athlete’s current suspension. An event MUST occur, and become an official game, for a date of suspension to be counted.
• Only a sport’s regular (and traditional) season events shall be counted in the Final Event Count. As such, scrimmages (against an outside opponent), Alumni games, exhibitions, and non-traditional season events are not counted towards the total event count. However, these events may constitute official events, and, as such, allow event suspensions to take place accordingly.
• Cheerleading contests shall be counted as 1-single contest in the event of a basketball double header. For competition season, each date of competition shall constitute as an event.
• 2013-14 Final Event Counts (Will Be Posted at a Later Date)

 

Football	11	Men's Basketball	31
Men's Soccer	18	Men's Tennis	TBD
Women's Soccer	20	Women's Tennis	TBD
Volleyball	29	Track & Field	8
Cross Country	5	Softball	TBD
Women's Basketball	31	Baseball	29

 

E. If a single-sport student-athlete has a positive drug screen during the “off-season” of his/her sport, or during a “non-traditional” season, the following shall occur for a participation suspension:

• The student-athlete will serve a suspension from all team-related activities (exception of team study hall) for the duration of counseling.
• The student-athlete will serve an event suspension for the equivalent to one (1) participation date during the current “non-traditional” season.
• The student-athlete will then serve an EVENT suspension of 20% (based on final event count) during the forthcoming REGULAR and TRADITIONAL season for that sport.
• The NAIA and KCAC use varying terminology regarding seasonal scheduling of sanctioned sports. Therefore, all situations regarding out-of-season and “non-traditional” infractions will be discussed on a case-by-case basis by the Substance Abuse Committee to ensure fairness.

F. Multi-sport student-atheltes

• In the event a single sport student-athlete tests positive during a drug test, he/she is not allowed to declare participation in another sport unless previously indicated to be participating in that sport, and participating as a multi-sport student-athlete.
• Disciplinary actions shall be in effect for current “in-season” sport of participation. If the suspension is not exhausted by the end of the preceding sport’s in-season schedule, including post-season play, the student-athlete will continue to serve the event suspension in the upcoming sport for the remainder of the specified suspension, according to the suspension terms of the preceding (initial) sport.
• The Substance Abuse Committee reserves the right to convene in such events involving multi-sport student-athletes to ensure consistency, equality, and fairness of disciplinary sanctions.

DRUG TEST RESULT NOTIFICATION PROCESS

Upon receiving test results (which can range from 1-5 days following test) from the testing lab, the following process shall occur:

• In the event of a negative test, the student-athlete may be verbally contacted by the Substance Abuse Committee Chair for notification purposes.
• In the event of a positive test, after notification to members of the Substance Abuse Committee and the affected head coach, the student-athlete will be contacted by the Committee Chair within 24 hours of results notifications to schedule a meeting time. Failure to respond in a timely manner may result in positive test sanctions, and may not be allowed the ability to file for an appeal.  
• The Substance Abuse Committee, or specific members of, will hold a confidential meeting with the student-athlete and the affected head coach to review the positive drug test results and inform the student-athlete of future positive test ramifications. The head coach is only allowed to observe the meeting. Speaking of one’s mind will not be allowed by the head coach.
• Failure to appear will result in a suspension for the duration of 365 days from participation in all team-related activities.
• During this meeting, the following will occur:
  1. If the student-athlete accepts the positive test results, and chooses not to appeal, the disciplinary action phase will be begin immediately, and procedures will follow in accordance to the guidelines presented in the policy.
  2. If the student-athlete denies the positive test results, and opts to declare an appeal, the time clock according to an official appeal process shall begin immediately, and procedures listed in accordance to Section XIV (Right To An Appeal) of this policy shall be in effect. The student-athlete will be notified of the appeals process, the restrictions and guidelines associated with an appeal, and given a Notification of Appeals Form to take with them following the meeting.
  3. The ability to appeal will be solely determined by the Substance Abuse Committee. If the student-athlete does not present sufficient preliminary reasoning, they will not be allowed to proceed with an appeal.   
• All necessary documentation shall be reviewed, read, and signed (if indicated) prior to departure from meeting.

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DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

FIRST OFFENSE SANCTIONS

1. The student-athlete will be required to attend a substance abuse counseling assessment. Following notification, the student-athlete will be given the proper contact information, and is responsible for scheduling the initial appointment. The certified drug counselor shall determine the appropriate form(s) of intervention and rehabilitation needed by the student-athlete. The first visit to counseling will be financial provided by McPherson College Athletics. All further expenses associated with drug counseling will be at the responsibility of the student-athlete. Failure to comply with the counselor’s directions for treatment will be classified as a 2nd offense.
2. Participation suspension equal to a minimum of 20% of specific team’s Final Event Count, rounded to the next highest whole number. Participation suspension includes events, travel, sideline/bench presence, and team meals. Practice and weight sessions during this time are allowed. A suspension phase includes KCAC and NAIA post-season competition (if applicable). If a suspension phase is not exhausted by end of the affected sport’s season, the Substance Abuse Committee will convene following the season to determine a sufficient and fair sanction for the student-athlete. Suspension phase will begin upon student-athlete’s notice of positive and declaration of no appeal by the student-athlete. Suspension phase will not be concluded until formal clearance is given by the certified drug counselor, and a negative drug test is produced at the request of the Substance Abuse Committee. Participation suspensions for ineligible or red-shirt student-athletes do not begin until such time that they are listed as eligible and in full-action. Furthermore, suspensions may not occur in the process of injury rehabilitation. The suspension phase will begin upon being released by the athletic training staff, or Team Physician, and confirmed by the Substance Abuse Committee Chair.   
3. 12 hours of manual labor, as directed by the Substance Abuse Committee. Community Service can include, but not limited to, campus beautification, grounds work, etc. Suspension phase will continue until all hours are complete.
4. The Substance Abuse Committee reserves the right to have the student-athlete contact parents and/or guardian in the presence of the committee.
5. Student-athletes who provide a positive urine sample during a McPherson College drug test will be subject to re-testing at any point during their McPherson College athletic career at the discretion of the Substance Abuse Committee. All financial commitments related to re-testing will be at the responsibility of the student-athlete. A re-test will not occur unless funding is received in advance. Failure to provide funding in a reasonable amount of time for the drug test will constitute a positive test.

1. The Substance Abuse Committee, or specific members of, will schedule a confidential meeting with the student-athlete and the head coach to review the positive drug test results and refer the student-athlete for counseling with the Certified Drug Counselor appointed by the College. All costs associated with drug counseling will be the responsibility of the student-athlete.
2. Participation suspension equal to no less than 365 days from the positive test date. Participation suspension includes all team-related activities.
3. All forms of financial aid will be immediately dismissed for remainder of his or her McPherson College career.
     
4. The parent and/or guardian will be requested to come to McPherson College to hold a meeting with the necessary parties, including the Substance Abuse Committee and the Head Coach.  
5. Student-athletes who provide a positive urine sample during a McPherson College drug test will be subject to re-testing at any point during their McPherson College athletic career at the discretion of the Substance Abuse Committee. All financial commitments related to re-testing will be at the responsibility of the student-athlete or their parent/guardian. A re-test will not occur unless funding is received in advance. Failure to provide funding in a reasonable amount of time for the drug test will constitute a positive drug test.