(1) All members of the University community are responsible for protecting their work, academic and social environment by exemplifying high standards of professional and personal conduct. Persons who are impaired by alcohol or drugs at work or study can jeopardise their own and others' health and welfare, compromise their ability to perform their duties, and impact on the University's reputation. (2) These procedures provide the University's framework, consistent with legislative requirements, for the responsible distribution and consumption of alcohol and other drugs and sets out overarching requirements for securing, managing and using Schedule 4 and 8 Drugs in research and teaching activities. (3) These procedures have been developed with a view to harm minimisation and ensuring a safe environment for all who visit the University, and covers alcohol, over the counter and prescription medicines, tobacco and illegal drugs. (4) These procedures apply to: (5) Students in residence are covered by requirements stipulated by Western Sydney University Village as well as the provisions of these procedures. (6) The University urges students, staff and visitors to abide by the laws of other countries when travelling overseas and comply with requirements related to alcohol and other drugs when travelling as a representative of the University. (7) These procedures should be read in conjunction with the Code of Conduct, Employee Assistance Program Procedures, Health Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Scheduled Drugs and Poisons Management Procedure, Smoke-Free Environment Policy and Student Code of Conduct. (8) For the purposes of these procedures: (9) Refer to the Health Safety and Wellbeing Policy. (10) The University is committed to: (11) The University expects all students, staff and visitors to: (12) Staff are expected to be free of the influence of legal and illegal substances that may impact their judgement and ability to perform their functions when on duty. (13) The University does not tolerate the illegal possession, cultivation, distribution or consumption of any drug on University premises, when using University equipment, attending a University or student association event, function or activity, participating in any activity as a representative of the University, or engaging in the service of alcohol on the University's premises or at a University event. (14) The University does not condone harassment or other unlawful behaviour that may result from the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. (15) The consumption of alcoholic beverages at University activities and venues must be managed responsibly in accordance with these procedures, and state and federal law. (16) The University's Code of Conduct also demands a responsible approach to the consumption of alcohol. (17) Responsible management of consumption in the University context requires individuals to: (18) Individuals are not to consume alcohol: (19) For certain staff positions, the University: (20) Staff, students and visitors are not to consume alcohol during or prior to participating in any activity that is inherently hazardous or likely to become hazardous as a result of the consumption of alcohol, including: (21) Students must not bring alcohol onto University premises, except on-campus residents who provide alcohol for consumption within their personal student residence in accordance with these procedures, the requirements and rules of Western Sydney University student accommodation facilities, and state and federal law. (22) The following staff may determine an area or event covered by these procedures is an Alcohol Free Zone either temporarily or permanently: (23) Relevant staff are to ensure all determinations of alcohol free zones are reported to the Vice-President, Operations and Commercial. (24) No person is to consume or publicly display alcohol in an Alcohol Free Zone. (25) The Vice-President, Operations and Commercial will: (26) The University's Responsible Service of Alcohol Provisions set out specific requirements governing the promotion and service of alcohol. The provisions must be adhered to at all times where alcohol is involved in a promotional activity or where it is intended to be served to members of the University community on a complimentary or retail basis. (27) Alcohol may be supplied on a complimentary basis from time to time at various University events, functions and activities (i.e., free of charge and where an entry fee is not charged). The event organiser is responsible for: (28) Alcohol may only be sold on campus through authorised campus outlets where the licensee holds a current liquor licence and, except where the licensee is an employee of the University, has entered into a formal contract with the University (approved by the Office of General Counsel) for the use of the relevant outlet. (29) The sale of alcohol on campus must be managed in accordance with the requirements in: (30) Alcohol is taken to be part of a sale, and must be undertaken in accordance with an appropriate Liquor Licence, where tickets are sold to an event and alcohol is provided at the event, alcohol is included in the price of a ticket to an event, a donation is required to enter an event, or a person's attendance is covered by membership fees. (31) Where alcohol is to be sold on campus, the licensee must ensure an adequate number of appropriately licensed and uniformed security personnel are engaged and on hand to manage the patrons, having due regard for the number of patrons, the venue and the nature of the event. (32) On-campus student residents who provide alcohol for consumption within their personal residence may only do so as permitted by their residency agreement and must comply with the rules that apply to their student accommodation facility. (33) The Vice-President, Operations and Commercial is authorised to sign licensing applications to the (Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority) on behalf of the University. (34) To obtain a Liquor Licence for an event, the relevant person must: (35) A licensee of licensed premises within the University must participate in any local liquor accord or local licensing committee. (36) Licensees must comply with all relevant provisions under the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW) and their Liquor Licence. This will include harm minimisation and the University's Responsible Service of Alcohol Provisions. (37) The University will report all illegal activity, including the consumption, possession or distribution of illegal substances, and any implement that might be used in the manufacture, growing, sale or distribution of drugs, to the appropriate authorities (e.g., the police). (38) The University acknowledges that some members of its community may, from time to time, consume over the counter and prescription medicines and/or may require on-going medication for their health management while at or prior to attending the University or participating in a University activity. (39) To protect themselves and other members of the University community, staff, students and others must manage the consumption of prescription and over the counter medications responsibly, which includes: (40) Supervisors of staff and students are to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals who are required to consume prescription and over the counter medication. (41) While the University respects the individual's right to choice, for health and legal reasons it strongly recommends members of its community refrain from consuming any medication provided by another member of the University community or offering medication to other community members. (42) Schedule 4 and 8 drugs, used in certain research and teaching activities the University conducts, must be obtained, secured, utilised and managed in strict compliance with the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (NSW), requirements of NSW Health, and the University's Scheduled Drugs and Poisons Management Procedure. (43) Staff, students and visitors must comply with legislative requirements governing the production, distribution and consumption of tobacco and tobacco products (e.g., smokes, cigarettes, cigars, pipes). (44) When on campus, individuals must abide by the Smoke-Free Environment Policy and have due regard for the health and safety of members of the University community. (45) The Senior Campus Security Officer on duty on the relevant campus or the Executive Director, Campus Operations may close any event or function and/or cease the trade of alcohol where a licensee, the temporary function licence holder or the designated coordinator of the particular event or function, does not comply with the Responsible Service of Alcohol Provisions, or where the University's duty of care is being placed at risk. (46) To meet its legal responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the University expects each person on University property or acting within the University's jurisdiction will at all times: (47) The University reserves the right to ask any person who does not act reasonably in such circumstances to remove themselves from University property or from any University activity/event. Should a person refuse such a request, the University may call for any assistance it deems appropriate in the circumstances. (48) Staff and students in need of professional assistance, counselling or support regarding alcohol or other drugs may obtain confidential counselling and support through the University's Employee Assistance Program and Student Welfare Service, respectively, and staff and students are encouraged to use these services. (49) The University will, as far as practicable, respect the rights of staff and students to privacy and confidentiality in relation to obtaining one of these services having regard to the University's duty to maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment. (50) To effectively manage emergency situations involving the consumption of alcohol or other drugs, the University expects: (51) Persons using a University ground line as part of an emergency response, must dial zero for an outside line before dialling the external emergency services number. (52) Any student or staff member who contravenes the requirements of these procedures or relevant legislation, or the Code of Conduct or Student Code of Conduct, as relevant, may be subject to internal and/or external disciplinary proceedings, in accordance with the applicable employment agreement in the case of staff members, and in accordance with the Student Misconduct Rule in the case of students. (53) A breach of these procedures includes: (54) The University reserves the right to remove any individual from its premises or from any University activity/event, for failure to comply with its policy documents or the reasonable directions of its employees. (55) The University may take civil action to recover any damages to University property caused by a breach of these Procedures. (56) Individuals can refer to the following University policy documents and/or units for additional information/guidance: (57) Further guidance is available from:Health Safety and Wellbeing Procedures - Alcohol and Drug Control
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Section 2 - Definitions
Top of PageSection 3 - Policy Statement
Section 4 - Procedures
Part A - Alcohol
Consumption
Alcohol Free Zones
Service of Alcohol
Responsible Service of Alcohol
Complimentary Service of Alcohol
Sale of Alcohol
Licences
Part B - Drugs
Illegal Drugs
Prescription and Over the Counter Medications
Schedule 4 and 8 Drugs
Tobacco
Part C - Work Health and Safety
General Requirements
Intervention
Support
Part D - Emergency Procedures
Service
Phone
Extension
Security
1300 737 003
2300
Police
000
0 000
Fire
000
0 000
Ambulance
000
0 000
Part E - Breaches of this policy
Section 5 - Guidelines
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* Such as where a staff member is required to hold a NSW Security Licence and/or engage in activities that are inherently dangerous.