Students attending ATC shall not unlawfully possess, sell, use, manufacture, give away or otherwise distribute illegal substances while on campus, attending a college-sponsored event, or while serving as a representative of the College at off-campus meetings. This policy also applies to alcoholic beverages.

Policy and Information for Employees and Students

It is the policy of the South Carolina Technical College System/College to provide a drug free, safe, and secure work and educational environment. Employees and students are required and expected to report to their work, class, or student activities in appropriate mental and physical condition to meet the requirements and expectations of their respective roles.

The System Office/College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, posses­sion, or use of narcotics, drugs, other controlled substances, and the use of alcohol at the workplace and in the educational setting. Unlawful for these purposes means in violation of federal/state/local regulations, policy, procedures, rules, as well as legal statutes. For purposes of this policy, workplace means either on System Office/College premises or other approved work locations or while conducting System Office/College business away from the System Office/College premises. The educational setting includes both institutional premises and approved educational sites off-campus.

In order to prevent the consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse at the workplace and in the educational setting, the South Carolina Technical College System has implemented this policy to ensure a drug-free work and educational environ­ment.

The South Carolina Technical College System recognizes that chemical dependency through the use of controlled or uncontrolled substances, including alcohol, is a treatable illness. The System Office/College supports and recommends employee and student rehabilitation and assistance programs and encourages employees and students to use such programs.

All locations may provide drug-free awareness resources for employees and students. Such resources may annually ensure that employees and students are aware that:

1.   Alcohol and other drug abuse at the workplace and in the educational setting is dangerous because it leads to physical impairment, loss of judgement, safety violations, and the risk of injury, poor health, or even death. Health risks and effects of controlled substances and alcohol may be provided to students and employees.
2.   Alcohol and other drug abuse can also significantly lower performance on the job and in the instructional environment, thus impacting  the System Office/College mission as well as seriously affecting the student’s educational and career goals.
3.   Employees must report any personal conviction under a criminal drug statute, for conduct at the workplace, to their human resource officer within five days. Management must report to granting agencies, any employee conviction for conduct in the workplace within ten days of receiving notice.
4.   It is a condition of employment and admission that all employees and students must abide by the policy on alcohol and other drug use, as well as related procedures/statements/laws/guidelines. Violation of any provisions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion, respectively, and may have further legal consequences consistent with federal and state laws and regulations. Additionally, management may require an employee or student to enter an employee/student assistance or drug rehabilitation program as a condition of continued employment or enrollment.
5.   Use of employee assistance programs (EAP), student assistance programs (SAP), or drug/alcohol rehabilitation services is encouraged. Employees and students may refer to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drugs of Abuse Resource Guide for additional information and support resources. 

Tobacco-Free Policy
1. The use of tobacco, tobacco-related, and electronic cigarette products is prohibited on the Aiken Technical College campus.
2. Banned products include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, electronic cigarettes of all types, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco.
3. Anyone violating this policy/procedure will be disciplined accordingly:

A. Visitors will be issued a violation warning.
B. Student violators will be monetarily fined and referred to the Chief Student Services Officer for subsequent violations.
C. College employees (including contract employees and any persons or group of persons considered a representative of the college) will be monetarily fined and referred to their supervisor for progressive disciplinary action.