Student-Athlete Drug and Alcohol Testing and Education

Policy

Each student-athlete participating in Intercollegiate Athletics at Minnesota State University, Mankato will be required to sign a consent form agreeing to undergo random drug testing and authorize release of test results in accordance with the Minnesota State Mankato Student-Athlete Drug and Alcohol Education and Testing Program.  Failure to consent or comply with this policy will result in suspension from participation or termination of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

Student-athletes listed on the institutional squad list, who have signed the institutional consent forms may be subject to drug testing under the terms of this policy* throughout the calendar year, including the summer.  This includes, but is not limited to, student-athletes who are “red shirting”, student-athletes who are academically ineligible, student-athletes who are injured, and 5^th year student-athletes who are receiving athletic-related aid and/or using other athletic-related services.

At least once a year, all student-athletes and athletic staff members will be required to participate in educational programs, designed to review athletic department, institutional and NCAA policies related to the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

* A detailed description of the Minnesota State Mankato Drug and Alcohol Education and Testing Program (24 pages), along with all referenced forms and procedures is available for review upon request to the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Procedure

Responsibilities of student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics at Minnesota State University, Mankato:

• To sign a Minnesota State Mankato Drug and Alcohol Education and Testing Program Student-Athlete Consent Form at the initial compliance meeting for their sport or at the program’s education session every calendar year.
• To have a working knowledge of the Minnesota State Mankato Drug and Alcohol Education and Testing Program, including related policies, notification procedures, testing protocols, appeals processes, and sanctions related to a positive test or failure to comply with testing.
• To attend all scheduled Minnesota State Mankato Drug and Alcohol Education and Testing Program’s educational sessions or attend a make-up session for the student-athletes who must miss a scheduled educational session for an approved reason.
• To sign the “Student-Athlete Notification Form” presented to the student-athlete by the institutional representative informing the student-athlete of the location, date, and time of their scheduled drug test.
• To be present at their scheduled drug-test and prepared to provide whatever sample or specimens are required for the specific drug test.
• To participate and meet all sanctions required by this policy following a positive test result.

Responsibilities of the University:

• To provide at least one educational session each year for student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics staff members, informing them about the drug testing program and to review athletic department, institutional and NCAA policies related to the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
• To ensure that all intercollegiate athletics staff members attend the educational session each calendar year.
• To ensure each student-athlete participating in intercollegiate athletics signs a “Student-Athlete Consent Form” each calendar year.
• To provide an institutional representative to notify each student-athlete who is randomly selected for drug testing of the location, date and time of their test, and ensure completion of the “Student-Athlete Notification Form.”
• To provide a secure area for drug testing to ensure privacy and proper chain of custody.
• To confirm with contracted testing organization of the random drug test dates and times.
• To fax institutional squad lists to Drug Free Sport for random selection of student-athletes for the scheduled drug test.
• To educate institutional staff members on the proper completion of the “Drug Testing Reasonable Suspicion Reporting Form” for any student-athlete that they are concerned might be taking an illegal substance.
• In order to maintain their opportunity to participate in the intercollegiate athletic program, guide each student-athlete who tests positive through all sanctions identified in the Minnesota State Mankato Student-Athletes Drug and Alcohol Education and Testing Program.

Rationale

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Minnesota State University, Mankato is concerned with the health, safety, and well-being of the student-athletes who participate in its programs and represent the university in competitive athletics.  Substance abuse is one of the most important issues facing student-athletes and society.  Providing an opportunity for drug education to our student-athletes about the short and long term effects that certain drugs and dietary supplements can have on their performance in the classroom and sports participation, as well as their lives, is consistent with the mission and ideals of the Minnesota State Mankato Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.  In addition to educating our student-athletes, random drug testing and drug testing based on reasonable suspicion are appropriate and necessary to:

1. Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our student-athletes.
2. Promote fair and equitable competition in Intercollegiate Athletics.
3. Affirm compliance with applicable rules and regulations on drug and alcohol abuse.
4. Identify student-athletes who are improperly using drugs or alcohol and assist them in developing, maintaining, and achieving a healthier lifestyle.
5. Maintain the integrity and ideals of competition at Minnesota State Mankato.