Drug-Free Schools and Campus Regulations
Biennial Review, 2025-2026

1. Introduction
2. Distribution Plan
3. AOD Prevalence Rate, Incidence Rate, Needs Assessment and Trend Data
4. Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program Elements
5. Strategic Partnerships
6. Evaluation of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program

Introduction

Southern Utah University’s Health and Wellness Center is responsible for the drug, alcohol, and substance misuse prevention efforts on campus and does so through strategic programming and collaborative partnerships with campus departments to create a healthy, safe and resilient campus community. The efforts of the Health and Wellness Center actively focus on protective factors and reducing risk factors for DAAPP use. 

The SUU Health & Wellness Program strives to promote holistic health and well-being of students through comprehensive programming, preventative education, peer education, the sharing of up-to-date accurate health information and resources, and providing support regarding their own or someone else’s health and well-being. The Center seeks to engage students by informing and connecting them to resources available on campus and in their community. Through prevention efforts that inform, increase awareness, and educate the student body, the Health & Wellness Center seeks to positively impact the university environment through evidence-based social norm approaches and environmental strategies. 

The University's efforts are headed up by an Assistant Director of Health and Wellness and supported by the Health & Wellness Team. The Center is supported by the Executive Director of Recreation and Wellness, The Office of the President, Dean of Students, Director of Housing, Executive Director of Belonging and Engagement, Director of Human Resources, Chief of SUU Police, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Educators, and Athletics. We share a common goal of student success, overall well-being and work to ensure compliance of the DAAPP campus wide.

The 2025-26 Biennial Review was carried by the following:

Report Coordinators

• Madison McBride, Assistant Director of Health and Wellness

DAAPP Committee

• Heather Ogden, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
• Brian Fullerton, Executive Director of Recreation and Wellness
• Chris Ralphs, Executive Director of Campus Life and Assistant Dean of Students
• Kevin Price, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources
• Ashleigh Zimmerman, Executive Director of Belonging and Engagement
• Curt Hill, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services
• Carlos Medina, Chief of Police
• Heather Callison, Director of Student Outreach & Support

The Health and Wellness Center prevention and programmatic efforts include:

• Engaging with students in a nonclinical environment to explore harm reduction strategies, communication skills, stress management skills and/or intervention skills  
• Providing wellness education training for campus partners, student groups, student leaders, and University classes on harm-reduction, low-risk drinking or substance use behaviors, recognizing and intervening in problematic situations through Bystander Intervention, demonstrating healthy behaviors and more
• Supporting and collaborating with campus partners to unify messaging and increase outreach regarding dry campus regulations and DAAPP resources
• Supporting and implementing prevention and intervention programs that increase protective factors and reduces risk factors for substance misuse

University policy prohibits possession, consumption or distribution of hallucinatory narcotics or other illegal drugs & possession, consumption or distribution of alcoholic beverages on campus, including athletic events. Off-campus University functions are subject to state and local laws, and any student convicted of a crime committed on or off campus is in violation and may be subject to campus discipline. It is the duty of staff and students to report violations of campus regulations. Violations of the alcohol, tobacco & other drug policy will be coordinated through the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities. The sanctions taken may include but are not limited to: Complete an eCheckup To Go assessment, disciplinary warning, community service, referral to campus resources, educational sanctioning, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion.The purposes for disciplinary action are to educate students and inform students of the risks they are taking, maintaining the University’s integrity, protect the rights of individuals, and to ensure compliance with the law. The policy, along with other information concerning alcohol and other drugs can be found on the Health and Wellness website.

Distribution Plan

Student Distribution Plan 

The Health and Wellness Center is responsible for sending a campus wide automated notification email sent through the university's secure IT department to all students to inform them about our University DAAPP program and policies. This email is distributed after the 3rd week of the semester to ensure all students enrolled in classes at SUU will receive this important notification. Sending this notification out after the 3rd week of each semester will ensure that this information is received by all students, including those who have enrolled after the initial semester start date. University Policy and Biennial Review are also posted to the Health and Wellness website for anyone to access and review. Access the Full DAAPP report and Biennial Review.

Employee Distribution Plan 

Southern Utah University's Human Resource office will be the campus entity to distribute University DAAPP policy and discipline to all Faculty and Staff upon hiring. An additional distribution of all provided DAAPP materials will go out as an important notification, once a year via email to ensure all employees receive accurate and updated disclosures.

AOD Prevalence Rate, Incidence Rate, Needs Assessment and Trend Data

• 2024: 69 cases
• The Healthy Minds Study provides a detailed picture of mental health and related issues in college student populations. Schools typically use their data for some combination of the following purposes: to identify needs and priorities; benchmark against peer institutions; evaluate programs and policies; plan for services and programs; and advocate for resources.
• (Fall 2023) “Over the past 30 days, have you used any of the following drugs?”

The following question asks about how much you drink. A "drink" means any of the following:

A 12-ounce can or bottle of beer

A 4-ounce glass of wine

A shot of liquor straight or in a mixed drink

During the last two weeks, how many times have you had 4 (if female), 5 (if male) or more drinks in a row?

*Among students who indicated having consumed any alcohol within the past 2 weeks

Drug And Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Elements

Southern Utah University is committed to providing a safe and caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences. The DAAPP is a way for campus departments and partnerships on and off campus to work together to ensure safety for all students, faculty, and staff. The University recognizes that the most effective health promotion and prevention programs actively focus on the individuals and provide interpersonal, community, and social support to impact them in a healthy way. Many campus entities have observed limitations and areas of improvement with the current DAAPP plan and are making an active effort in those areas to continue building a robust program throughout our campus community.  

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act requires that an institution of higher education 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 school premises and as a part of its activities. Southern Utah University strives to provide a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty and staff and is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and campus. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention programs are set in place and are an effective way to ensure compliance with the federal Drug Free Schools, Community, and Workplace Acts. This biennial review is to show improvements and results of DAAPP programs and initiatives. 

The University’s approach to DAAPP prevention programs include, building strategic partnerships on campus and in the community, and intentional programming that addresses the risk of alcohol and substance misuse. All programs and events are related and can lower the risk.

Campus Outreach

Southern Utah University’s main goal is to build awareness of the numerous resources available to students, faculty, and staff through strategic outreach and communication, helping individuals recognize inherent risks and providing preventative practices. This is achieved in two ways: Faculty/Staff and Student trainings and educational programming. 

While not every opportunity to share information was specifically focused on DAAPP concerns, these platforms allowed The Health and Wellness Center to network with other campus departments, create awareness in the campus community, distribute educational information and engage with students about these topics and trends. The Health and Wellness Center developed or participated in the following events which either focus on or have a portion that pertains to drug and alcohol misuse:

• Narcan training and distribution across campus
• Take Back Days
• Substance Misuse Tabling
• Alcohol Abuse Education and Prevention Tabling
• Marijuana and Vape Use Education and Prevention Tabling
• Opioid Use Prevention Tabling
• Social Norming Education
• Drunk Driving Prevention and Education
• Alcohol Informational Bulletins
• Resource Fair
• Health Week
• eCheckup To Go
• Health Fair
• University of the Parks Expo
• Seasonal Affective Disorder Event
• QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings
• Suicide Prevention Programming
• Honor Beads
• Live performances of Every Brilliant Thing : Suicide Prevention
• Supportive Letter Writing
• Suicide Prevention Conference
• Bystander Intervention
• Hazing Film Screening
• Hazing Prevention Tabling
• Educational Media Campaigns on Resources and Holistic Health
• Mental Health Resource Tabling
• Emotional Resilience Presentations
• Meet & Greet Health & Wellness Resources
• Stress Management Presentations
• Self Care Presentations
• Biofeedback
• Bi-Tapps
• Sun Therapy Lamps
• Connection Events
• Paint the Town Red
• Welcome Week
• New Student Orientation
• Don’t Cancel That Class presentations
• Disabilities Week
• Resource Bingo
• Personal and Environmental Sustainability
• Healthy Relationships
• Consent
• Domestic Violence and Sexualized Violence Prevention
• Denim Day
• Sex Education
• National Period Awareness Day

Education and Intervention

The Health and Wellness Center is an open resource to the campus population that partners with and supports the community. The Center’s goal aligns with the core theme of the university which is to engage students in proactive learning that will transform their mentality and choices in a lifelong pursuit of a holistic view of health and well-being. One of the main priorities of the Center is to educate and provide support for student populations through strategic programming, and offering trainings to faculty/staff, as well as nonclinical, personalized one-on-one student support. Topics include understanding the risk of DAAPP misuse, cultivating healthy mental/physical habits and behaviors, navigating Title IX, and supporting victims of sexualized violence.

The Dean of Students Office

The Dean of Students Office supports the University's alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevention efforts through a comprehensive approach that includes case management, student outreach, behavioral intervention, conduct and educational processes, resource referrals, promotion of counseling and mental health services, faculty and staff training, and collaboration with campus and community partners.

Students identified through referrals, outreach efforts, conduct processes, CARE Team interventions, faculty and staff concerns, self-referrals, or other support pathways are connected with appropriate resources, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), TimelyCare, Student Outreach and Support (SOS), and community providers when appropriate. These efforts are designed to promote prevention, early intervention, education, harm reduction, student wellbeing, and academic success.

TimelyCare and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Mental Health Promotion

The Dean of Students Office, CAPS, Health and Wellness Center and The Office of Student Outreach and Support actively promote access to mental health and wellness resources that support students experiencing personal challenges, including concerns related to alcohol and drug misuse.

Efforts include:

• Promotion of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), including:
  • Same-day triage appointments
  • After-hours crisis response services
  • Individual counseling sessions
  • Referrals for specialized treatment and support
• Promotion of TimelyCare services, including:
  • 24/7 TalkNow support
  • Scheduled counseling services
  • Psychiatry services
  • Health coaching and wellness resources
• Presentations, outreach initiatives, and marketing campaigns highlighting available mental health, wellness, and substance misuse resources.
• Dissemination of resource information through orientation programs, opening meetings, wellness campaigns, and other student engagement opportunities.

Student Conduct

The Student Conduct process serves as an educational intervention that reinforces personal responsibility, promotes healthy decision-making, and addresses behaviors involving alcohol and drug policy violations.

Efforts include:

• Educational sanctions are assigned to students found responsible for alcohol- or drug-related policy violations.
• Individual conduct meetings that may include:
  • Risk-reduction and harm-reduction education
  • Discussion of the impact of alcohol and drug use on personal, academic, and community well-being
  • Referrals to counseling, treatment, or other support resources
  • Education regarding University expectations and community standards
• Follow-up measures and accountability processes intended to encourage behavioral change and reduce repeat violations.

CARE Team and Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT)

The CARE Team and Behavioral Assessment Team provide coordinated intervention and support for students whose behavior raises concerns related to safety, well-being, academic success, or substance use.

Efforts include:

• Assessment and intervention for students experiencing challenges associated with alcohol or drug misuse.
• Development of coordinated support plans designed to address identified concerns while connecting students with appropriate resources.
• Collaboration among campus partners to provide early intervention, ongoing support, and monitoring when appropriate.

New Student and Campus Education

The Dean of Students Office contributes to campus-wide education efforts that help students understand University expectations and available support resources.

Topics addressed through orientation, campus presentations, and educational materials may include:

• University alcohol and drug policies
• Health and safety expectations
• Available support and intervention resources
• Strategies for making healthy and informed decisions

Educational materials and resource information are shared through:

• New Student Orientation
• Welcome Week programs
• Student success initiatives
• Residence Life partnerships
• Campus outreach and awareness efforts

Faculty and Staff Education

The Dean of Students Office provides education and consultation to faculty and staff to increase awareness of available resources and strengthen the University's early intervention efforts.

Training topics may include:

• Recognizing students in distress
• Identifying behaviors that may indicate substance misuse or other wellness concerns
• Making referrals through Student Outreach and Support (SOS), CARE Team, or other support services
• Responding appropriately to students experiencing crisis or impairment
• Supporting student well-being while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries

These educational efforts help create a campus-wide network of support that encourages prevention, timely intervention, and student success.

Counseling and Psychological Services

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office’s work in prevention and direct interventions come from assessing needs as related to substance misuse for individuals and group members participating in direct clinical services (counseling, assessment, crisis intervention). Additionally, they address substance use, typically from a harm-reduction lens, as part of outreach programs and consultations with student, staff, and faculty groups. These outreach and consultation efforts address general mental health and student development issues which are a foundation for substance use and misuse prevention.

Human Resources

The Human Resource office provides all benefited employees with a medical insurance plan that offers coverage that provides counseling benefits for individuals struggling with alcohol or drug misuse.

Continuing forward, the Human Resource office will be the campus entity to distribute University DAAPP policy and discipline to all Faculty and Staff upon hiring in the on boarding process, and also distribute an important notification once a year via email to ensure all employees receive accurate disclosures.

Office of Student Outreach and Support

The Student Outreach and Support (SOS) Office provides support, non-clinical interventions, advocacy, and referrals for students experiencing challenges in their personal and academic lives. SOS team members can assess students for health risk factors and assist students in making connections with resources that can offer treatment and higher levels of care to help students overcome obstacles to their academic success.

• Presentation and Workshops:
  The Health and Wellness Center has partnered with the SOS (Student Outreach and Support Office) to offer a wide variety of educational trainings and discussions, each customized to the needs of the request.

Student Engagement

Southern Utah University recognizes that student engagement and involvement is critical to providing a successful DAAPP prevention program. Students engaged in positive and healthy extracurricular activities have a lower risk of DAAPP behaviors. The University continues to improve their DAAPP prevention programming to target certain DAAPP trends that are relevant to the campus environment and culture, and provide students with support and engagement opportunities.

Health and Wellness Center

The University’s Health and Wellness Center’s main responsibility is assisting in all student wellness needs. The Center provides opportunities for students to become involved in wellness related programming through volunteering and internship programs. The Health and Wellness Center promotes health awareness through  intentional programming and nonclinical one-on-one mentoring. In the last two academic years (2024-2025, 2025-2026), the Health and Wellness Center has conducted 92 programs and trainings, 14 related directly to DAAPP prevention, and had over 3,800 students attend these programs. 

Current data collection includes a student check in station that tracks which specific resources students are being referred to within Health & Wellness. The Health and Wellness Center also offers a free Student Self Care Station where all students can stop and pick up supplies or items that they are in need of while on campus. The Self Care Station provides DAAPP educational pamphlets, information on local resources, and other supportive resources for students in recovery. 

The Health and Wellness Center is responsible for sending a campus wide notification email to all students to inform them about our University DAAPP program and policies. This email is  distributed after the 3rd week of fall semester to ensure all students enrolled in classes will receive this important notification. University Policy and Biennial Review are also posted to the Health and Wellness website for anyone to access and review. Access full DAAPP report and Biennial Review.

Recreation and Wellness

The Recreation and Wellness Department, where the Health and Wellness Center is housed, provides opportunities for students to get involved with wellness related programs and engage in extracurricular activities as a healthy alternative to DAAPP use. Services available include; rock climbing, running track, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, wallyball, pickleball, fitness classes, and a swimming pool. For additional fees, students also have access to activities such as intramural sports and weight equipment. These activities create positive social connectedness, wholesome environments, help to reduce stress, and lower the risk for DAAPP use. 

Throughout the school year, our SUU Outdoors program provides a range of adventures for current students to ignite a passion in the outdoors. They host various free local trips in the school year for students to go hiking, mountain biking, canyoneering, climbing, rafting, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing throughout the Southern Utah region. They also provide weekly Local Events, Activities and Programming (LEAP) events that offer beginner-friendly activities like mountain biking, hiking, disc golf, education series, etc. All trips offered through SUU Outdoors prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol, and focus on positive leadership and skill building.

Strategic Partnerships

Partnerships are critical in building a cohesive DAAPP prevention program across campus. Intentional collaboration with other campus and community partners increase funding opportunities and are a useful way to share resources. Campus departments continue to actively seek out new opportunities to network, knowing that it will strengthen our outreach, programming, campus wide communication, and community. 

Campus Partnerships

Prevention programming is a campus wide goal and we realize that one office alone cannot address all DAAPP related concerns.The Health and Wellness Center has coordinated with numerous campus departments and resources, and will continue to increase partnerships and programing to address DAAPP related concerns with the following campus entities: SUU Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Outreach and Support, Student Involvement and Leadership, SUU Police, Recreation and Wellness, University Housing, Athletics, Disability Resource Center, Human Resources, Student Affairs Office, International Affairs, SUU COMPASS Program, New Student and Transfer Student Orientation, First Year Experience Office, and the Aces Peer Mentor Program. These partnerships have increased awareness, expanded our audience, addressed trends specific to SUU’s cultural environment, and reduced overscheduling of programming.

Community Partnerships

Southern Utah University works diligently to develop and maintain relationships with the community in their efforts for drug and alcohol prevention and protection. These partnerships include Canyon Creek Services, Intermountain Healthcare, Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Southwest Behavioral Health Center in conjunction with the Horizon House, and Four Points Health. Each of these resources are distributed to students and employees through our University policy notification.

Assessments/Evaluations

Southern Utah University utilizes data collection methods to assess the needs of our student population, establish priorities, and develop intentional programming. Through our data collection we determine the effectiveness of our DAAPP efforts and reassess for the upcoming year, targeting trends we see in our data. The following assessment and evaluation sources were used:

• CAPS - Counsels with students and offers therapeutic support for those seeking assistance.  
• Conduct Office - Aid in referring students to alcohol assessment and evaluation through online substance use/misuse programs. 
• TimelyCare- Offer virtual counseling for students and full time employees and offers therapeutic support for those seeking assistance.  
• National Conferences - Attend national conferences to stay current with best practices and further the knowledge of correct and useful data collection.

Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, SUU publishes the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report annually and distributes it to current/potential students and employees of the university. 

As part of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, arrests and disciplinary referrals are listed related to drug abuse and liquor law violations. In 2024, there were eleven drug abuse violations and forty-four liquor law violations resulting in arrests on campus, and there were zero drug abuse violations and two liquor law violations that led to disciplinary referrals on campus. In 2025, there were four drug abuse violations and six liquor law violations resulting in arrests on campus, and there were zero  drug abuse violations and zero liquor law violations leading to disciplinary referrals on campus.

Please use the link below to access the most recent Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Evaluation of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program

Program Strengths 

1. Naloxone training has been implemented and Naloxone is available across campus.
2. Strategically timed campaigns about the risks and consequences of substance misuse.
3. Multiple partnerships across campus working on the same goal.
4. Several programs and events focusing on or including drug and alcohol prevention initiatives.
5. Group of dedicated students serving as interns and educators in the Health and Wellness Center throughout the entire academic school year.
6. The task force Key Leaders meet regularly to review policy, student needs, and coordinate and enhance programming efforts.
7. Clear and consistent policies and regulations that deter alcohol and drug use/misuse (e.g., prohibiting alcohol use and sales on campus, standardized conduct matrix).
8. Compliance with DFSCA requirements and a convened task force.
9. Increased collaboration amongst the task force and other offices in regards to programming and policy review.
10. Compliance with the annual distribution of DAAPP to all students, faculty, and staff.
11. SUU’s conduct model focuses on educational sanctioning rather than punitive. This has been effective in decreasing the rate of repeat offenses by individuals.

Areas of Improvement

1. Further development of substance misuse educational presentations
2. Increase messaging surrounding marijuana and vape use and misuse
3. Training for full time personnel on best practices in DAAPP programming and further involvement with national trends in DAAPP issues.
4. Increase marketing and attendance at DAAPP events to increase awareness.
5. Increase community based partnerships and resources for DAAPP treatment and awareness.