Printable and Viewable versions of the Program and Appendices:
Drug Testing Program | Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C | Appendix D | Appendix E | Appendix F | Appendix G | Appendix H
Objective:
The intent of the drug education, testing and counseling program is to ensure a drug-free competitive environment for the student-athletes at Aurora University. Its goals are to protect the health and well-being of the participants, to provide support and education for those who are found to engage in substance abuse, to provide drug education to the student-athlete and university community, and to maintain the ideals of fair play and positive standards of behavior in intercollegiate athletics.
The program is comprised of three components: education, counseling and testing which are intended to alert student-athletes and coaches to the potential harm which can occur from substance use and abuse. Education and counseling are integral parts of the program; however, systematic testing to detect substance use does constitute an important part of the program. Procedures have been developed to test for substance use and to assure reliable test results and protect the privacy of those tested.
This policy is not to be construed as a contract between the institution and the student-athletes at Aurora University. However, signed consent forms shall be considered affirmation of the student-athlete’s agreement to the terms and conditions contained in this policy.
Appropriate student-athlete sanctions are provided for those student-athletes not in compliance with the terms and conditions of the program. Prior to implementation, all student-athletes and coaches will be notified in writing of the drug education, counseling and testing program. Prospective student-athletes will be apprised that Aurora University implements a drug education, testing and counseling program. Student-athletes who are eligible for testing include all student-athletes who are on a current intercollegiate athletic roster. Student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility, are academically ineligible, or are otherwise dismissed from a current roster will not be tested.
The program shall be consistent with applicable NCAA regulations. This program, however, is separate and distinct from the NCAA Drug-Testing Program and should not be confused. Aurora University shall provide all student-athletes and coaches with information regarding NCAA policies as requested. The Athletic Department may amend this program periodically as needed and with or without notice to the student-athlete.
Special Considerations:
This policy is separate from the Athletic Department’s policy on alcohol and tobacco, which can be found in
Appendix A as well as the Student-Athlete Handbook. Infractions involving the use or abuse of alcohol and/or tobacco will be managed using the established guidelines set in the A-book. Additional athletic sanctions may also be used in conjunction with the A-book sanctions, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Athletics.
Aurora University Athletics does not promote the use of dietary supplementation unless directed by a physician. The department’s philosophy on dietary supplementation is outlined
Appendix B. Any student-athlete who is taking a dietary supplement or prescription medication is required to disclose that information using the Dietary Supplement and Medication Disclosure Form, see
Appendix C. If this information is not disclosed and a student-athlete tests positive for a banned substance, sanctions will be enforced.
Medical Exceptions Process:
Aurora University recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, AU allows an exception to be made for those student-athletes with a documented medical history demonstrating the need for treatment with the banned medication. Exceptions may be granted for substances included in the following classes of banned drugs: stimulants, anabolic agents, beta blockers, diuretics, peptide hormones, anti-estrogens, and beta-2 agonists. No medical exception review is available for substances in the class of street drugs, including but not limited to Medical Marijuana. This extends to states that have legalized marijuana for medical use.
Resources:
The Aurora University Department of Athletics’ Drug Education, Counseling and Testing Program is meant to work in conjunction with the policies set out in the Student-Athlete Handbook as well as the university’s A-book regarding student conduct. Each student-athlete is educated and consents to follow the policies outlined in each document prior to the start of each season/academic year. This policy references both documents and the entirety of those documents can be found electronically at:
Aurora University A-Book
Aurora University Athletics Student-Athlete Handbook
Educational Component:
Once each year, each student-athlete will attend an educational session explaining the expectations outlined in this policy as well as learn more about the risks of using and abusing alcohol, drugs and other banned substances. Additionally, each team shall meet as often as deemed necessary to discuss the potential harmful effects of substance use and abuse. The discussions will include but are not limited to information regarding the use of illegal substances, the misuse of alcohol and prescription drugs, and the dangers of performance-enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids and stimulants. The program will utilize both the university and community resources as discussion group leaders, as well as sources of information in regards to substance abuse.
Coaches and athletics staff will also undergo educational sessions to keep them current on the NCAA and institutional policies regarding the use/abuse of banned substances.
Helpful links regarding performance enhancing drugs and other banned substances:
NCAA Drug Testing Website:
http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/ncaa-drug-testing-program
Drug Free Sport Website/AXIS Access:
http://www.drugfreesport.com/rec/ (Password: ncaa3)
Counseling Component:
The university shall identify trained counselors to assist in the program. The services of the counselors will be made available if information, referral or treatment is requested or required. To the extent permitted by law, all counseling is confidential. Consultation with other health care professionals can occur after obtaining expressed written consent from the student-athlete, or in the case of an emergency. Referrals to other health care professionals shall be developed and overseen by the Program Director. Referrals may be made to professionals from the Aurora University Counseling and Psychological Services Center or other appropriate resources. If the required evaluation or treatment is beyond the scope of practice of university resources, a referral to appropriate community resources may be made by the Program Director or Director of Counseling and Psychological Services. Student-athletes and coaches will be informed of the availability of these resources and methods of entering programs, if requested. It is essential for the student-athlete to be aware that the financial obligation for any costs incurred as a result of evaluation and/or treatment will be their personal responsibility, or the responsibility of his/her family.
Individual counseling with licensed medical or psychological personnel would be privileged under the patient-physician and/or patient-therapist privilege as is consistent with Illinois law. Parental consent and knowledge may be necessary in some instances if the student-athlete is a minor. In other appropriate instances, attempts should be made to permit the involvement of the parents and/or spouses in the treatment program.
Testing Component:
The testing program shall be confidential and utilize methodology with the appropriate sensitivity to minimize the likelihood of inaccuracy.
The substances for which testing will be done may include but are not limited to the substances listed among the
NCAA Banned Substances List which is included in
Appendix D. The NCAA Banned Substance List is subject to periodic amendment. Because it is cost prohibitive to test each individual for all substances on the NCAA Banned Substance List, substances will be selectively tested at the discretion of the Program Director. Additional substances not included on the NCAA Drug Classes List may be tested from time to time.
The testing component of the program shall include:
- Notification of Testing
- The drug education, counseling and testing program shall be provided to each student-athlete and all members of the athletics staff annually. This notification will consist of a policy statement and a list of the substances for which tests may be conducted for that year. The list will include the generic names of substances, as applicable. Test administration notification will generally be no more than 24-hours in advance of a scheduled test. Those student-athletes selected will be notified in person or by direct telephone contact and given testing details in person or via direct telephone contact with instructions for time, location and testing protocols/procedures, see appendix E.
- Consent
- A consent form acknowledging receipt of notification and student-athlete agreement to participate in the program will be completed and kept on file in the Department of Athletics, see Appendix F. The signed consent form is a precondition to participation in Aurora University intercollegiate athletics. Note-all medications and dietary supplementation must be disclosed prior to testing.
- Testing Protocol
- Random Selection- A series of random drug tests shall be administered throughout the academic year by Drug Free Sport and overseen by the Program Director. The random selection will be done by Drug Free Sport and will be limited to student-athletes at Aurora University who are currently on an intercollegiate athletics roster. Testing may continue as long as a student-athlete is eligible to participate in intercollegiate sports and is on a current roster.
- Reasonable Suspicion- A student-athlete may be subject to testing at any time when the Director of Athletics or his/her designee determines there is individualized reasonable suspicion to believe the participant is using a prohibited drug. Such reasonable suspicion may be based on objective information as determined by the Director of Athletics or by an Associate Athletic Director, Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainer, or Team Physician and deemed reliable by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. Reasonable suspicion may include, without limitation: observed possession or use of substances appearing to be prohibited drugs; arrest or conviction for a criminal offense related to the possession or transfer of prohibited drugs or substances; or the observed abnormal appearance, conduct or behavior reasonably interpretable as being caused by the use of prohibited drugs or substances. Among indicators which may be used in evaluating a student-athlete’s abnormal appearance, conduct or performance are: class attendance, significant GPA changes, athletic practice attendance, increased injury rate or illness, physical appearance changes, academic/athletic motivational level, emotional condition, mood changes, and legal involvement. Coaches and athletic department staff members can submit to the Director of Athletics a Drug Testing Reasonable Suspicion Reporting Form in instances where drug use/abuse is suspected, see Appendix G. The report can be either upheld or denied by the Director of Athletics. In cases where the report is upheld, the student-athlete in question will be included in the next scheduled drug test. If the report is denied, the student-athlete can still be tested as part of the random pool. If an athlete violates the A-Book policy regarding substance use, abuse or possession, a reasonable suspicion reporting form may be triggered.
- Re-entry testing- A student-athlete who has had his or her eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics suspended as a result of a positive drug test, may be required to undergo a re-entry drug test prior to regaining eligibility. The Director of Athletics or his/her designee shall arrange for re-entry testing after the counselor or specialist involved in the student-athlete’s case indicates that re-entry into the intercollegiate athletic program is appropriate.
- Follow-up testing-A student-athlete who has returned to participation in intercollegiate athletics following a positive drug test under this policy may be subject to follow-up testing. Testing can be done during any of the scheduled athletics drug testing dates, following the initial positive test. Follow-up testing will only be conducted after the student-athlete has completed the required counseling for a positive test.
- Collection- Specimen collection will be performed by Drug Free Sport at a predetermined location on Aurora University’s campus. For the purposes of this policy, urine specimens will be utilized and collected following Drug Free Sport’s procedure, see Appendix H.
- Notification- If a student-athlete tests positive for a banned substance, the Program Director will advise the Director of Athletics of the positive test result. The Director of Athletics or his/her designee will then contact the student-athlete who tested positive and arrange a meeting to discuss the positive test and the pending athletic sanctions. The Director of Athletics or his/her designee will also notify the Dean of Students who will coordinate sanctions via the A-book.
- All attempts will be made to keep positive tests confidential.
- Members of the university’s administration may need to be informed of the positive test but this notification will be limited to the following people: President of the University, Executive Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Students, members of the Behavioral Intervention Team, Director of Athletics or his/her designee, Associate Director(s) of Athletics, Head Coach of the student-athlete’s team, the Head Athletic Trainer and/or Assistant Athletic Trainers, Team Physician, and/or the student-athletes parent(s) or guardian(s).
- No-Shows- A “no-show” is defined as a student-athlete not reporting for a scheduled drug test at the time specified on the notification. No-shows will be treated as positive tests.
- Sanctions- First Positive Test
- At any point a student-athlete who tests positive will be required to have an evaluative counseling session. The Program Director in conjunction with the Dean of Students will refer the student-athlete to a trained professional for this evaluation. A mandatory counseling session is required when a positive test result is received. The student-athlete is expected to schedule this session within a reasonable period of time following the positive test. If the student-athlete fails to schedule and attend this counseling session, the Director of Athletics and/or the Program Director will be notified by Student Life. The Director of Athletics or his designee may then notify that athlete’s Head Coach and additional sanctions may be enforced. This session must be completed prior to the student-athlete returning to participation in intercollegiate athletics.
- The student-athlete will also be suspended from 30% of their scheduled athletics contests with rollover sanctions. The athlete may also be held from practice during that time, this will be determined by the Director of Athletics. The athlete’s positive test will also be reported to the Office of Student Life and additional sanctions according to the A-Book will be enforced. Parents, spouses, or guardians may be notified with the consent of the student-athlete, as otherwise permitted by law or the university’s A-book, and will be done, at the discretion of the Dean of Students.
- Sanctions- Second Positive Test
- Additional mandatory counseling sessions will be required for a second positive test at the discretion of the Director of Counseling Services. Parents, spouses, or guardians may be notified with the consent of the student-athlete, as otherwise permitted by law, or the university’s A-book, at the discretion of the Dean of Students.
- A second positive test will result in an immediate removal from participation in all intercollegiate athletic activities indefinitely. A second positive test will render the student-athlete ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at Aurora University.
- The athlete’s positive test will also be reported to the Office of Student Life and additional sanctions according to the A-Book will be enforced.
- Cumulative Results-The positive test total shall be cumulative throughout the student-athlete’s collegiate career. Any positive test in a student-athlete’s career will count cumulatively with respect to the provisions of this program. Positive tests need not be consecutive, nor in the student-athlete’s academic year in order to be so counted.
- Dual Sport Athletes- Dual sport athletes who test positive for the first time will begin to serve their suspension during the season they test positive or the first season that occurs after a positive test. If the suspension is not finished by the end of the season, the remaining percentage will be enforced at the start of the next sport season. Athletes are not permitted to join a team following a positive test if the intent is to avoid the punishment during their “main” sport season. All student-athlete appeals to this stipulation will be heard by the Director of Athletics.
- Quitting a Team- If a student-athlete quits their team upon notification of a pending drug test; this will result in a suspension for all intercollegiate athletics for one calendar year from the date of the notification. A student-athlete who quits a team to avoid a drug test may also be required to undergo re-entry testing before being allowed to return to a roster.
Self-Disclosure:
At any point in the student-athletes’ intercollegiate career, prior to being randomly selected for a drug test, counseling services will be made available to a student-athlete if he/she voluntarily discloses a substance abuse problem.Self-disclosure must occur prior to a student-athlete being notified of a drug test through this policy.If a student-athlete utilizes the self-disclosure process, they will be exempt from accruing positive tests until they have completed the recommended counseling.
Once the student-athlete initiates the self-disclosure, they must attend an initial counseling session with the Director of Counseling Services, which will include a substance use screening. If the result of that screening indicates treatment may be needed, the student athlete will be referred for a more comprehensive assessment with an off campus provider/agency. The student-athlete must also then complete any follow-up recommendations made by that provider/agency.The cost of these additional services will be the responsibility of the student-athlete. The student-athlete will not be allowed to return to participation until the initial counseling session has taken place. The student-athlete’s return to participation after that session will be determined based on the recommendations of the Director of Counseling Services in conjunction with the Program Director and the Director of Athletics. In no case will this exemption from testing excess sixty calendar days from the date of disclosure.This self-disclosure opportunity can be initiated by the student-athlete contacting the Team Physician, Head of Counseling Services, Director of Athletics, Head Athletic Trainer or Head Coach. After the student-athlete has completed the initial counseling session as well as any recommended follow-up sessions, the student-athlete will be required to pass two separate drug tests. These drug tests will take place with the regularly scheduled institutional testing.The student-athlete may return to play prior to these tests, however, a positive test would result in the student-athlete being put into the positive test process noted above.
Hearings and Appeals:
In an effort to provide due process, student-athletes may request reconsideration of a positive drug test result. This request can be made to the Director of Athletics within a 24-hour period following the notification of a positive test. The student-athlete can request that the urine sample collected and tested positive, be re-tested, using the secondary sample collected (the B sample) at the time of the initial collection. The cost of the appeal-test may be the responsibility of that student-athlete. Pending the results of the appeal-test, the student-athlete will be suspended from participation in intercollegiate athletics.
- If the appeal-test comes back negative, no further sanctions will be imposed, however, the student-athlete may be tested again within the random selection process stated above.
- If the appeal-test comes back positive, the first positive test sanction will increase from 30% of scheduled contest to 50% of schedule contests. This increase reflects the importance the Athletics Department places on accountability for one’s actions.
- If the appeal test comes back positive for the second positive test, the athlete will still be suspended indefinitely from intercollegiate athletics at Aurora University.
- Any and all other concerns that a student-athlete may have regarding a positive test and the relating sanctions can be directed to the Director of Athletics.
- If a student-athlete does have two positive drug tests and has been removed from intercollegiate athletics indefinitely, they can appeal for reinstatement after one calendar year. This appeal would be made to the Director of Athletics or his/her designee and will be heard and decided upon on a case-by-case basis.
Other University and Civil Action:
The student-athlete will be subject to university disciplinary action as a result of a positive drug test.The Office of Student Life will be notified of positive tests and the student-athlete will be subject to sanctions under the provisions of the A-Book.The university will not voluntarily supply personally identifiable test data or results of a test to any law enforcement agency and has developed procedures to assure that only information necessary to the purpose of this program is retained and all other information concerning test results is destroyed.
Summary of Drug Testing Protocol:
First Positive Test:
- Program Director notifies the Director of Athletics of test results
- Director of Athletics may inform Head Coach of test result
- One mandatory counseling assessment is required prior to return to play
- Suspension from 30% of scheduled contests with rollover sanctions
- Possible suspension from practices (to be determined by Director of Athletics)
- Suspension from all team activities during the time of the suspension, including team travel
- Participation in future testing (either re-entry or follow-up testing)
- Notification of The Office of Student Life
- Possible parental notification
Second Positive Test:
- Program Director notifies the Director of Athletics of test results
- Director of Athletics may inform Head Coach of test result
- Additional counseling assessment is required
- Immediate indefinite suspension from participation in intercollegiate athletics at Aurora University
- Notification of The Office of Student Life
- Possible parental Notification
*Positive tests are cumulative for a STUDENT-ATHLETE’s career
*Positive Appeal-Tests result in increased sanctions
