Policies and Procedures

HEALTH RISKS OF ALCOHOL

Comprehensive information regarding the health risks of alcohol is available at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website.

Effects: Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses of alcohol can significantly impair judgment and coordination, including that required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also can increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high doses of alcohol can cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses can cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will provide the effects just described.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics themselves.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG EDUCATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES

Drug and alcohol counseling and referral services are available through University Counseling Services at 216.368.5872, and the University Health Service at 216.368.2450. Any student desiring information, referral services, or counseling in a confidential setting need only call.

The Cleveland Institute of Music is committed to pursuing any official means necessary to prevent alcohol use from being a detrimental influence on the well being of its students. A firm alcohol policy is in place to support this commitment. Students are in violation of CIM's Alcohol Policy if they:

• Possess, distribute, or consume alcohol anywhere on CIM property or at any off-campus CIM event;
• Provide alcohol to any CIM student under 21 years of age, either on or off-campus;
• Violate federal, state, or municipal laws with regard to alcohol;
• Violate CIM's Code of Conduct while under the influence of alcohol.
• Residents of CIM's student housing complex are prohibited to possess, distribute to others, or consume alcoholic beverages in any public or private areas of the complex. Any resident found to be in violation of this rule will face serious judicial sanction, including possible suspension from CIM and the housing complex. Guests that violate the zero-alcohol rule will cause appropriate sanctions to be imposed upon themselves and their hosts.

CIM Sanctions: Resulting disciplinary sanctions are determined by the nature of the infraction. The sanction for a first offense ranges from a fine to Disciplinary Probation. A second alcohol-related offense results in Disciplinary Probation or Suspension, depending upon the severity of the offense. (While on Disciplinary Probation, students may be ineligible for CIM scholarship aid.) Students committing a third offense are brought before the Student Affairs Tribunal and face severe sanctions that may include separation from CIM. Furthermore, CIM cooperates actively with local law-enforcement agencies in the prosecution of students alleged to have acted illegally.

Federal and State Penalties Ohio law includes criminal provisions regarding the unlawful possession, use and distribution of intoxicating liquors and beer. The ordinances of the City of Cleveland and the City of Cleveland Heights include comparable provisions. With regard to beer and intoxicating liquor, Ohio law provides that a person under 21 years of age who orders, pays for, attempts to purchase, possesses or consumes beer or liquor, or furnishes false information in order to effect a purchase, commits a misdemeanor. A person using a false or altered identification card to purchase beer or intoxicating liquors shall be fined not less than $250 but not more than $1,000 for a first offense and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 6 months. For a second offense involving the use of a false or altered identification card, the penalties include: a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000, a sentence to a term of imprisonment for not more than 6 months; and the possibility of losing a driver's or commercial driver's license for a period not to exceed one year. For a third offense, the penalties include: a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000, a sentence to a term of imprisonment for not more than 6 months; community service, and the loss of license is mandatory for at least 90 days and can remain in effect until the offender attains age 21. If a person is convicted of the manufacture, sale, or distribution of false identification cards, then that person is guilty of a felony. Ohio law prohibits the possession of beer or liquor which was not lawfully purchased.

Violation of these laws may also be a violation of University policies and could result in civil liability.

This information is provided as a general summary of the major applicable laws. While it is believed to be accurate at the time of issuance, keep in mind that laws frequently are amended and reinterpreted, that the application of law to specific situations generally requires an analysis of all the facts and circumstances, and that this information therefore should not be substituted for specific legal advice.

Parental Notification Guidelines for Alcohol Violations These guidelines are in response to the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. These amendments created an exception to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enabling universities to notify parents or legal guardians, under certain circumstances, of a student under 21 that uses or possesses alcohol. This change supports the practice of the Cleveland Institute of Music of establishing a collaborative partnership with parents and actively involving them, when appropriate, in addressing student behavior as it relates to alcohol.

Notification of parents is done when the university believes it will help the student. When practicable, conversations normally are held with the student before contact is made with parents in an effort to determine whether such contact is the best course of action.

Factors that are considered when deciding to contact a student's parent or guardian are: A consistent pattern of destructive or harmful behavior; behavior that may affect the student's overall well-being or the well-being of others; behaviors that may jeopardize their ability to remain a student; and/or a situation or imminent danger.

When determining parental notification to be in the best interest of the student, it is CIM's philosophy to assist the student in contacting their parent/guardian directly. In most cases, CIM will intervene only when a student is unwilling or unable to contact their parent/guardian.

Questions or concerns regarding these guidelines should be directed to the Associate Dean of Students, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106; Phone: 216.795.3163.

HEALTH RISKS OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

A table outlining the health risks associated with cocaine, marijuana and other controlled substances is available at Health Risks of Controlled Substances. The information is from the Drug Enforcement Agency's publication Drugs of Abuse [PDF].

ALCOHOL AND DRUG EDUCATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES

Drug and alcohol counseling and referral services are available through University Counseling Services at 216.368.5872, and the University Health Service at 216.368.2450. Any student desiring information, referral services, or counseling in a confidential setting need only call.

The Cleveland Institute of Music has a firm policy for illegal drugs and other chemical substances. Any CIM student found to have possessed, distributed, or consumed illegal drugs is in violation of CIM's Drug Policy. Medications prescribed by a physician are not in violation of the CIM Drug Policy when they are used for their intended purpose by the individual to whom the medication was prescribed. Severe sanctions are mandated and imposed by the Dean, including Disciplinary Probation or Separation.

Drug Testing: CIM reserves the right to mandate the testing of students for evidence of drug use if there is reasonable ground to suspect a violation of CIM's drug policy. Refusal to submit to a test may be grounds for dismissal. If the test is found to be negative, CIM pays the cost of the test; if positive, the student is billed. Students found to be in violation of the drug policy of CIM receive appropriate sanctions, up to and including Separation.

CIM Sanctions: Any student found to have distributed illegal drugs, whether or not for payment, is brought before the Student Affairs Tribunal and incurs serious disciplinary action, including possible separation from CIM. Furthermore, CIM assists local law-enforcement agencies in the prosecution of any student found to have possessed, consumed, or distributed, either on or off CIM property, any illegal controlled substance.

Federal and State Penalties: Ohio law includes criminal provisions regarding the unlawful possession, use and distribution of drugs. The ordinances of the City of Cleveland and the City of Cleveland Heights include comparable provisions.Ohio law also prohibits: the illegal sale, possession, cultivation, manufacture or trafficking of controlled substances, including but not limited to, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, methamphetamine of any type or in any form, marijuana, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy); furnishing to, administering to, inducing or causing use of these substances by a juvenile at least two years younger than the offender, or causing the juvenile to commit a drug abuse offense when the offender knows the juvenile's age or is reckless in that regard; administering these substances to any person by force, threat or deception; administering or furnishing these substances by any means with the intent to cause serious harm or if serious harm results, or to cause the other person to become drug dependent; selling or trafficking controlled substances; or illegally assembling or possessing chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance. In addition, Ohio law prohibits a person from knowingly providing money or other items of value to another person who then uses such money or items to obtain a controlled substance for the purpose of selling, manufacturing or cultivating such a controlled substance. If the drug involved in the violation is methamphetamine in any form, and if the offense was committed in the vicinity of a juvenile, in the vicinity of a school, or on public premises, such offense is a felony of the first degree, which carries a mandatory prison sentence. It is also unlawful to knowingly distribute illegal anabolic steroids. With few exceptions, these offenses are felonies.

The law also prohibits knowingly obtaining, possessing or using a controlled substance and permitting one's premises or vehicle to be used in the commission of a felony drug abuse offense. These offenses may be either felonies or misdemeanors. The law further prohibits knowingly obtaining, possessing or using hypodermic needles for the unlawful administration of drugs, and the knowing use, possession with the purpose to use, and/or the sale of drug paraphernalia. Ohio law also prohibits the advertisement of illegal drug paraphernalia. These offenses are misdemeanors.

Under Ohio law, a felony conviction may lead to imprisonment or both imprisonment, a fine or both. The maximum prison term for these types of offenses is 10 years. The fine for a first degree felony in Ohio is a basic fine of not more than $20,000. A misdemeanor conviction may lead to imprisonment for up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Convictions for some offenses carry mandatory penalties, including the suspension of a driver’s or commercial driver’s license for a period ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Ohio law also requires that property derived from (directly or indirectly) the proceeds of a felony drug abuse offense and property that was used or intended to be used to facilitate the commission of a felony drug abuse offense is subject to forfeiture.

Imprisonment for 5 to 20 years and a minimum fine of $1,000 apply to persons possessing more than five grams of crack cocaine on the first conviction, three grams on the second, and one gram on subsequent convictions. In addition to the above sanctions, a person convicted of possessing a controlled substance may be punished by forfeiture of property used to possess or facilitate possession or property derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from the violation, if the offense is punishable by more than one year in prison; forfeiture of any conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance; denial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, for up to one year for a first Federal or State possession conviction and for up to five years for a subsequent Federal or State possession conviction; ineligibility to receive or purchase a firearm; and a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

Federal law also prohibits illegal trafficking or manufacturing of a controlled substance. If a person violates this section, he is subject to the specified imprisonment, fine or both. Federal trafficking penalties are set forth in the attached chart, marked Appendix B. The penalties set forth in the attached chart can, under certain circumstances, be enhanced by a multiple of two or three if such offenses are committed at or near a public or private school, college or university, or if the drugs were sold to persons under the age of 21. A trafficking offense committed after a person has been convicted of two previous felony drug offenses results in mandatory life imprisonment. In addition, if convicted of a drug trafficking offense, a person will lose Federal benefits (including school loans) for up to 5 years for a first offense, up to 10 years for a second offense, and for life for a third or subsequent offense.  Federal law also prohibits the sale of drug paraphernalia. The penalty for violating this law is imprisonment for up to 3 years and a fine.

Violation of these laws may also be a violation of University policies and could result in civil liability.

This information is provided as a general summary of the major applicable laws. While it is believed to be accurate at the time of issuance, keep in mind that laws frequently are amended and reinterpreted, that the application of law to specific situations generally requires an analysis of all the facts and circumstances, and that this information therefore should not be substituted for specific legal advice.

Parental Notification Guidelines for Controlled Substances ViolationsThese guidelines are in response to the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. These amendments created an exception to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enabling universities to notify parents or legal guardians, under certain circumstances, of a student under 21 that uses or possesses a controlled substance. This change supports the practice of the Cleveland Institute of Music of establishing a collaborative partnership with parents and actively involving them, when appropriate, in addressing student behavior as if related to drugs.

Notification of parents is done when the university believes it will help the student. When practicable, conversations normally are held with the student before contact is made with parents in an effort to determine whether such contact is the best course of action.

Factors that are considered when deciding to contact a student's parent or guardian are: A consistent pattern of destructive or harmful behavior; behavior that may affect the student's overall well-being or the well-being of others; behaviors that may jeopardize their ability to remain a student; and/or a situation or imminent danger.

When determining parental notification to be in the best interest of the student, it is CIM’s philosophy to assist the student in contacting their parent/guardian directly. In most cases, CIM will intervene only when a student is unwilling or unable to contact their parent/guardian.

Questions or concerns regarding these guidelines should be directed to the Associate Dean of Students, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106; Phone: 216.795.3163.

Parking is at a premium in University Circle. Four-hour parking meters are located on the streets around CIM (East Boulevard, Hazel Drive). The fee is $.75 per hour, Monday through Friday, from 7am to 6pm. There is very limited free street parking on campus or in University Circle.

Parking permits are available to students for Lot #46 at CWRU. Students interested in purchasing a permit should contact the University Parking office at 216.368.2273 or parking@case.edu.

Parking violators could be ticketed by both University Circle and City of Cleveland Police, and those with unpaid tickets will be either "booted" or towed. Payment of parking fines and towing charges is enforced strictly through all University Circle institutions.

The CIM parking lot located adjacent to our main building at the 1609 Hazel Residence Hall is a "permit only" lot for faculty and staff. It will be available for student parking between the hours of 3:30pm and midnight. Unless you are an RA, absolutely no overnight parking will be permitted. Additionally, the lot may be open on weekends. Towing of vehicles without permit passes will occur at midnight for any unauthorized vehicles in the lot.

                                                 

Read Full CIM Sexual Misconduct Policy

It is the policy of The Cleveland Institute of Music to provide for students, faculty, and staff an environment that is free of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is illegal. It is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other laws and criminal statutes. The Cleveland Institute of Music does not tolerate sexual harassment of its employees or students by fellow employees, students, or outside associates of CIM.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, sexually oriented comments, inappropriate touching, or other similar conduct that unreasonably interferes with study/performance/work or creates a hostile or offensive environment. Sexually explicit jokes, photographs, posters, pictures, or graffiti are not tolerated. No employee may threaten, explicitly or implicitly, any employee or student to submit to sexual advances, and rejection of such advances can have no influence on academic or employment decisions, evaluation, or career development.

Sexually oriented conduct from any CIM employee or student should be reported to the Dean or the Director of Human Resources. Every effort will be made to investigate thoroughly all complaints and to assure preservation of the reputation and integrity of the involved individuals. If a formal complaint is found to be valid, disciplinary action (including separation) may be instituted in a manner consistent with the degree of seriousness of the offense.

Sexual Assault

The Cleveland Institute of Music is a community dependent upon trust and respect for its constituent members-students, faculty, and staff. Sexual assault is a violation of that trust and respect, and is not tolerated. Sexual assault also is a serious crime. Any non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature is a sexual assault. Rape, statutory rape, incest, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and fondling are examples of sexual assault.

Lack of consent is a crucial factor in any sexual assault. Persons forced to engage in sexual contact by force, threat of force, or coercion have not consented to contact. Persons acting under the influence of alcohol or other substances may be incapable of consent. Age or mental capacity also may render consent impossible.

CIM strongly encourages persons who have been sexually assaulted to report the assault, to seek assistance and to pursue judicial action or sanctions for their own protection and that of the entire campus community.

Reporting Sexual Assault

CIM recognizes that a person who has been sexually assaulted retains the right not to pursue either criminal prosecution or an internal judicial proceeding. However, CIM strongly encourages those who have been sexually assaulted to pursue internal disciplinary and/or criminal process. Once a report of sexual assault is made, CIM may be obligated to alert the campus community of the report. CIM is obligated to alert the campus of crimes that it determines represent a threat to members of the campus community. In making such determinations, CIM considers the safety of students, faculty and staff, as well as the privacy interests of all persons involved in such incidents. Regardless of the action taken by CIM, the names of any person involved will not appear on Security Alerts.

While CIM urges anyone who has been sexually assaulted to report the incident at any time, prompt reporting may preserve options that delayed reporting does not, including the preservation of physical evidence, crisis counseling, and immediate police response.

Medical and Psychological Assistance

Emergency Room Examination: Any person who has been sexually assaulted may go directly to the University Hospital Emergency Room or any local hospital for medical attention. Note: the preservation of physical evidence is critical in the event of criminal prosecution and may be useful if disciplinary action is pursued.

University Health Services: Students can seek further treatment at the University Health Services for any medical concerns, including sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy testing.

Counseling: Counseling may be pursued following a sexual assault, no matter how much time has elapsed since the incident. Counseling services are confidential except when disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent harm to self or others. Available options, on and off-campus include:

• SAFE Line 368-7777: The Survivors And Friends Empowerment (SAFE) Line can be reached 24/7 at 216.368.7777 and is coordinated between the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women Health Advocate, University Counseling Services, University Health Service, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center
• University Counseling Services: 368-5872 - Weekdays. 844-8892 - After 5:00 p.m., weekends and holidays
• Cleveland Rape Crisis Center: 391-3912 - 24 hours

Institutional Sanctions/Criminal Prosecution

Anyone who has been sexually assaulted may choose to pursue both criminal prosecution and CIM disciplinary processes. Regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, all members of the CIM community accused of sexual assault may be subject to judicial actions or sanctions, up to and including expulsion or termination from employment. In the case of student judicial proceedings, both the accused and the accuser are entitled to due process (see Student Affairs Tribunal).

Accommodations

In the aftermath of a sexual assault, CIM will accommodate requests for alternative living, working, and academic arrangements as available and appropriate. Due to the sensitive and traumatic nature of sexual assault, specially trained CWRU staff members are available on a 24-hour basis. A member of the Sexual Assault Response Team is available during work hours at 368-5872, after hours or on weekends at 844-8892. Please tell the operator that this is an emergency or that a sexual assault has occurred. The staff member is trained to guide the student through medical, psychological, and legal options while protecting confidentiality.

Resource Numbers for Reporting Sexual Assaults

All phone numbers are area code (216)

• SAFEline: 368-7777
• CIM Security: 795-3124 (X224)
• University Circle Police: 791-1234 or 911
• Cleveland Police Sex Crime: 623-5630 or 911
• Cleveland Heights Police: 321-1234 or 911
• CIM Deans's Office: 791-5000 (X204)
• CIM Human Resources: 791-5000 (X219)

The Cleveland Institute of Music is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable, and productive work environment for its employees and students as well as abiding by Ohio law with respect to permissible locations for smoking. The following conditions apply at CIM:

• Smoking is prohibited inside and within 30 feet of any outside doorway or open window in any CIM facility, including CIM's student housing complex.
• Smoking is prohibited within 30 feet of any posted no-smoking sign.
• Smoking is prohibited on the terrace.
• CWRU is a smoke free and tobacco free campus. In compliance with the State of Ohio smoking ban set out in Chapter 3794 of the Ohio Revised code, the university does not permit smoking in any of its buildings or structures, including residence halls or university vehicles. In addition, all outside walkways and grounds of university property are smoke-free. 
• Failure to comply with smoking regulations results in disciplinary action by the associate dean for Student Affairs or the dean, and may result in a ticket and fine from campus police.

There are two designated smoking areas near CIM that are compliant with Ohio law:

• Outside the front entrance to the school beside the bench.
• At the end of the walkway to the CIM parking lot.

If you choose to smoke, you may only use these areas. Please place extinguished cigarettes into the assigned containers.

Transfer applicants and current CIM students may have earned credits from other accredited institutions transferred to CIM. Such transfer credits are applicable toward fulfillment of CIM program requirements, under the following conditions:

• Credits are transferable only if the course grade is a "C" or higher. Therefore, courses completed on a Pass/Fail basis do not transfer unless the school where such courses were taken has a published policy stipulating that Pass is equivalent to at least a grade of "C";
• In placing approved transfer courses on the CIM permanent record, only credit appears. Grades in transfer courses do not appear and do not affect the CIM grade-point average;
• Transfer credit earned in theory, music history/literature, and performance courses is subject to CIM faculty evaluation as a prerequisite for transfer. CIM equivalency examinations may be required to determine transferability of credits in these areas. Advanced Standing credit in core music subjects is awarded by Placement Examination. The number of credits awarded is determined by the demonstrated skill level of the incoming student, not by the number of previously earned credits at another institution;
• Transfer credits for additional non-elective course work are based upon evaluation of a student's transcript and required CIM equivalency examinations, which must be completed during the first semester of study at CIM;
• Course work intended to fulfill CWRU major or minor program requirements is transferable only with the approval of the appropriate CWRU department. Such approval must be sought additionally before undertaking study at another institution;
• Credits earned at schools operating on a quarter system are reduced by one-third when converted to CIM's semester-credit equivalency;
• Graduate students are limited to a maximum of six transfer credits. Though undergraduate transfer applicants have no such credit limitation, all transfer students, except DMA applicants, are subject to a minimum two-year, full-time residency requirement;
• Current CIM students must first obtain approval from the CIM Registrar for transfer course work and receive a letter of approval for transient study, which is required by the host institution.

Final determination of transfer status cannot be made until final, official transcripts from all previously attended schools have been received, all appropriate admission testing has been completed, and all necessary examinations for non-elective course work have been evaluated. Each transfer student meets with the CIM Registrar to confirm final status. All transferred credits are applicable toward fulfillment of CIM diploma or degree requirements.

CIM prohibits any acts or threats of violence by any student against any other student, contractor, employee, or visitor, on or off the premises while at CIM. In the interest of maintaining an environment that is safe and free of violence for its students, employees, and visitors, CIM also prohibits the wearing, transporting, storage, presence, or use of dangerous weapons on Institute property, regardless of whether or not the person is licensed to carry the weapon. Further, Ohio law prohibits all persons from selling, discharging, igniting, or exploding any type of fireworks. Any student who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, including referral to the Student Affairs Tribunal, interim separation, or and/or separation. In any case, legal action may be taken as appropriate.

The following definitions apply:

• "Institute property" covered by this policy includes all CIM-owned or leased buildings and surrounding areas, such as sidewalks, walkways, parking lots, and driveways under CIM's ownership or control. Furthermore, this policy applies to all CIM-owned or leased vehicles and all vehicles that come onto Institute property.
• "Dangerous weapons" include but are not limited to handguns, firearms, explosives, knives, and other weapons further defined by state statue and/or local ordinance.
• CIM reserves the right at any time and at its discretion to search all Institute-owned or leased vehicles and all vehicles, packages, containers, briefcases, lockers, desks, and persons entering its property, to determine whether any dangerous weapon has been brought into its property or premises in violation of this policy. Any student who refuses prompt permission of such a search is subject to discipline up to and including separation.

Also, all CIM students have the responsibility to inform Security or UCI or CWRU police of any suspicious workplace situations or threats of violence of which they are aware.