Â鶹ӳ»­

Academic Years 2024–2026
Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (EDGAR PART86)

INTRODUCTION

Â鶹ӳ»­ (LU), as an institution of higher education, has a strong interest in promoting a safe environment that is conducive to acquiring and achieving academic success, and to preserving a high standard of safety and welfare for our students, faculty, and staff. As equally important as motivating and protecting our students’ pursuit of educational goals is the dissemination of information related to student conduct and behavior.

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) requires that an institution of higher education (IHE) certify it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol for students and employees on campus premises and as part of its activities. LU complies with the DFSCA by continuing to conduct a biennial review on the effectiveness of its alcohol and other drug programs and policies, the consistency of policy enforcement, and the identification and implementation of any changes needed. The following review is a report of alcohol and drug prevention activities conducted from August 15, 2024, to August 14, 2026.

LU strives to maintain a campus community free from the illegal use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol or other drugs, as well as being committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all community members.  The community benefits from having a Student Health Center (SHC) with integrated medical, counseling, and health education departments. The SHC continues to expand to serve the growing needs of the LU community. Student volunteers were added to the student program, Healthy Cards, to increase peer outreach. One of the existing counseling positions changed from hourly to salaried, increasing the number of appointments available. Counseling staff three Licensed Professional Counselors, one of whom is a licensed chemical dependency counselor, and one Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Other LU entities that play a strong role in alcohol and other drug prevention on campus include the Lamar Police Department (LPD), the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Care, Residence Life, Human Resources, Athletics, and many others.

*A physical, bound copy of the Biennial Review is housed in the Health Education department and can be accessed upon request at the Student Health Center front desk.  

The Biennial Review of Â鶹ӳ»­’s Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Program is perpetually available at lamar.edu/healthed. The current Biennial Review covers even-numbered academic years beginning in the Fall of the last biennium year through the Summer of the current even-numbered year (Fall 2024-Summer 2026). The Biennial Review document is completed and available for review on October 31 of the current even-numbered year. The Biennial Review includes information collected during and after activities from multiple departments.

Hard copies of the Biennial Review are maintained on file for seven years in the Health Education Department of the Student Health Center and can be provided to the U.S. Department of Education if requested.

ANNUAL POLICY NOTIFICATION PROCESS

To comply with federal law, Â鶹ӳ»­ Office of Student Affairs, Human Resources, and Student Health Center provide every employee and student with an “Alcohol and Other Drug Policy” email notification that includes the following:

• Standards of conduct that prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.
• A description of legal sanctions under federal, state, and local laws for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
• A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of
• A description of counseling and treatment programs available to students and
• A clear statement and description of the disciplinary sanctions Â鶹ӳ»­ will impose for violations of the codes of conduct for students and employees.

This Annual Notification is always available to students, faculty, and staff online under Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness: Resources and Prevention.

The primary method utilized to distribute the annual policy notification is via campus announcement email biannually. Every student, defined as a person currently enrolled for academic credit on the Â鶹ӳ»­ campus and online, receives the annual policy notification by campus announcement at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Any new student entering the university will be notified at the time of registration.

All existing employees receive the annual policy notification via campus announcement at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. All new employees receive the policy through an electronic onboarding system in Human Resources before their first day of employment. The onboarding system will include the annual notification. This process ensures everyone receives the notification regardless of their hire date or extent of employment with the university.

POLICY ENFORCEMENT & COMPLIANCE

Â鶹ӳ»­ has adopted policies that govern alcohol and other drugs on campus. The Faculty Handbook and the Human Resources Policy Manual include policies for faculty and staff. Policies related to students are included in the Code of Student Conduct. All students and employees are required to adhere to these policies while associated with the university. Any student or employee found in violation of any of these policies may be subject to corrective action and/or discipline including dismissal from the university.

Â鶹ӳ»­ has adopted a student code of conduct, following the authority established by the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System, which outlines rules, regulations, rights, and responsibilities that apply to all students on and off campus. Â鶹ӳ»­ expects that each student becomes fully acquainted with all published university policies, as each student is held accountable for compliance with the student code of conduct and other university policies.

General oversight of each policy is managed by the department’s Director from which the policy originates. Discipline, sanctioning, and adjudication of each policy are enforced by the department’s Director and may include other overseeing entities as they relate to students or employees. The Dean of Students/Office of Conduct and Care Services will collaborate with any department director where students are involved, and the Director of Human Resources will collaborate with the supervisor of an employee found in violation of policy. Â鶹ӳ»­ police department may be utilized when deemed necessary.

LPD has a robust working relationship with the City of Beaumont Police Department. Lamar police officers have jurisdiction to enforce civil laws off-campus in the surrounding areas adjacent to the university property. Collaboration between the departments helps students abide by Â鶹ӳ»­’s alcohol and drug policies.

Human Resources is the department solely responsible for any disciplinary actions related to faculty and staff regarding alcohol and other drugs. Below is the information provided based on their records on the number of disciplinary actions related to alcohol and other drugs.

AOD Prevalence and Trend Data

The Office of Finance & Operations is responsible for approving requests for alcohol sales or serving for students, faculty, and staff on campus. Below is the number of requests submitted for academic years 2024 and 2025.

Alcohol and Other Drug Violations

Below is the data reported from Student Conduct and Care Services on student AOD-related incidents and sanctions.

2024/2025 Alcohol and Drugs

2025/2026 Alcohol and Drugs

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG PREVENTION & INTERVENTION EFFORTS

Â鶹ӳ»­ offers a variety of programs and interventions for students in the campus community. Programs are offered on an individual, group, and population basis. The Student Health Center offers many individual and group-based education programs, while the Division of Student Affairs and Dean of Students is responsible for the entire population programming.

INDIVIDUAL-BASED PROGRAMS

Â鶹ӳ»­ offers a variety of Tier 1 strategies that show evidence of effectiveness with college students. These individual-based assessments, programs, interventions, educational outreach, and referrals are made available to students on campus.

Initial Intake Assessment and Screening for College Students

The SHC Counseling Services requires all students to complete a 10-minute, self-administered survey before attending their first counseling appointment. The Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS)-62 is a 62-item instrument with eight distress subscales related to psychological symptoms and distress in college students and incorporates a general Distress Index that measures physical and psychological symptoms and the Distress Index (DI), which includes Substance Use. This allows them to access the use and potential use of alcohol and other drugs in addition to the evaluation of factors that may contribute to alcohol and drug use. CCAPS may be repeated for continued monitoring of risk factors.

Integrated Approach to Student Emotional Wellness through Individualized Counseling and Intervention Programs

Counselors at the SHC use an integrated counseling model approach that includes Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, and Cognitive-Behavioral interventions to enhance the emotional wellness of the college students being served. Motivational Interviewing is utilized to build rapport, identify, examine, and resolve ambivalence about the identified behavior that needs to be changed. It is a conversation that is a collaborative, person-centered partnership that builds upon the student’s autonomy. Counselors utilize this strengths-based approach to identify and emphasize the student’s capability to change successfully. A Brief Therapy Solution Oriented model is used to address students presenting issues involving situations in which there is a pattern of unwanted behavior accompanied by distress and impairment, including (but not limited to) affective (mood) disorders, social phobia, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, and ADHD.

Cognitive-behavioral skills training with norms clarification is an action-oriented therapy to address inaccurate or negative thinking so that the student can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively. Focus remains on the student’s thoughts (cognitive patterns) to change the student’s behavior and emotional state. Norm clarification is discussed, when appropriate, to identify and address misperceptions of behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs about alcohol and other drug use.

Counselors also collaborate with Student Health Center Medical Services and the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) to provide students with a more expansive program.

Referral programs to off-campus treatment providers for students

The SHC makes referrals to both campus and community resources when requested or deemed necessary and/or beneficial. Types of referrals may include (but are not limited to) additional counseling, psychiatric evaluations, inpatient hospitalization, medical and legal services, and substance abuse detoxification as well as alcohol/chemical dependency rehabilitation, trauma and victim’s assistance, and housing/shelter needs.

LU Critical Assessment Response & Evaluation (CARE) Team

The LU CARE Team, chaired by the Director of Student Conduct and Care Services consists of employees from various departments. The CARE Team accepts referrals regarding students in distress or whose behavior raises concerns about their well-being or the well-being of others. All students, faculty, and staff can submit anonymous reports via the online Incident Reporting Form. The Team coordinates support services and resources for those LU students who have been referred. The CARE Team provides guidance, resources, and plans of action to help students succeed while providing the greatest level of protection to Â鶹ӳ»­ and the surrounding community.

GROUP-BASED PROGRAMS
AOD Prevention Programming Efforts

Health Education Programs

The Health Education Department provides presentations to groups in the LU community such as student organizations, residence halls, and classroom instructors free of charge. Group programs covering alcohol and other drugs can be requested by completing the "Program Request” form available at www.lamar.edu/healthed. Specific group alcohol programs offered by the department include Cards Against Drunk Driving, Mardi Gras Mocktails, Drunk Goggles, Alcohol Awareness tabling events and presentations, and a substance abuse module for Bystander Intervention, however, customized programs are available upon request as well.

Cardinal Communities/Cardinal Transition Pathways

The Center for Academic Success (previously named STAR Services, or Student Tutoring and Retention Services) offers Cardinal Communities (CC) to provide individual and group mentoring to students entering college for the first time. Each CC group consists of 35 students, a peer mentor, and a faculty/staff mentor based on their meta major. CC students gain information and build networks by connecting to fellow LU students, campus resources and services, their major/academic department, student organizations, and more. The benefits of Cardinal Communities are gaining a supportive community, making lasting connections, building networks, and learning to be a proud Cardinal. During the summer of 2026, STARS rebranded their department and was renamed to CAS, or Center for Academic Success, and renamed Cardinal Communities to Cardinal Transition Pathways as part of their First-Year Success model starting the Academic year of 2026-2027.

D.A.B.S.: Level Up

Drugs, Alcohol, Behavior, and Society Training is offered by the Student Conduct and Care Services office to all LU students. It allows for open and in-depth discussions with experts in state and national law and personal safety while promoting a reduction of risks and staying safe.

REDTalks

REDtalks are free 45-minute presentations by LU faculty, staff, and students sharing expertise and advice to help students succeed at Â鶹ӳ»­. These REDTalks are a great learning opportunity for the campus community on a variety of topics to promote a safe and healthy campus culture.

Residence Life

Resident Assistants (RAs) are required to participate in a week-long training designed to teach them responsible alcohol use, campus policies, and how to identify students who may violate the AOD policy while living on campus. These student leaders are also encouraged to report any concerns they may have for other students anonymously via the online or report it to their Complex Director, LPD, or Campus Safety Officers.

Each residence hall manages programming for its residents. Professional Staff and RAs may create programs themselves, ask the Health Education Department to present programming, or collaborate with Health Education.  

New Student Orientation

LU makes an ongoing effort to address the potential for alcohol and/or drug use with incoming freshman students. Students are educated on the resources available to them through small group presentations that are peer-led while their parents and families are educated through presentations held by different departments on the culture of LU and words of wisdom for student success. These presentations feature discussing issues on alcohol and other drugs, Bystander Intervention, Sexual Assault prevention, and consent. Each incoming student is required to attend an orientation session.

Substance-Free Activities on Campus

Â鶹ӳ»­ hosts a variety of substance-free events and programming on campus throughout the academic year. Extensive marketing for these events is done via digital signage, social media, and other promotions in high-traffic areas of the university.

Cardinal Activities Board

The Cardinal Activities Board (CAB) specializes in bringing programming to students outside of the classroom setting. This programming aims to foster holistic student development for a full collegiate experience. Events hosted by CAB include Big Red Mania, Cardinal Palooza, Big Red’s Bash, Homecoming, movie nights, and more. To stay up to date with their events visit the Â鶹ӳ»­ Events calendar at /events/index.html or CAB’s Upcoming Events tab.

Recreational Sports

The LU Recreational Sports Department offers a wide variety of activities for student participation. The facilities include a fitness center, basketball courts, weight room, racquetball courts, indoor soccer court, indoor track, multipurpose court, group fitness rooms, game room, and climbing wall. Recreational Sports also offer a variety of programming opportunities for students. Students can join club sports, intramural sports, group fitness classes, or participate in outdoor pursuits. Programs and events are regularly posted on social media. More information can be found at Recreational Sports.

UNIVERSAL PROGRAMS