Alcohol & Drug Policy

From the Student Handbook: "Nebraska Methodist College encourages all members of the college community to maintain civic and social responsibility when making decisions regarding the use of alcoholic beverages." In other words, we want you to be smart and be safe.

"If a student demonstrates unsafe and/or unprofessional behavior and fails to achieve the standard of care, violates professional standards or state practice acts of each academic program, or calls into question the professional accountability of the student, corrective action will follow. Students are expected to adhere to the standards of behavior required of healthcare professionals." In other words, because you will someday have people's lives in your hands, we take this issue very seriously and will respond accordingly.

"Depending upon the degree of actual or potential harm a client may suffer, a one-time deviation from safe practice may be sufficient to judge a student unsafe." In other words, there isn't a "three strike rule" at NM

FAQs

It sounds like a dry campus — is that true?

Yes. This is for two reasons. 1) In accordance with United Methodist Church's position on alcoholic beverages or drugs (illegal or prescribed), we maintain an alcohol-free campus. 2) As a health care institution, we recognize the significant increase in risk of health care professionals to be alcohol- or drug-dependent.

 

What happens if a student is suspected of coming to class or clinical under the influence?

The college may require a student to submit to a blood, breath and/or urine test for drugs or alcohol for reasonable cause.

 

What about drug use?

The College will cooperate fully with state and federal laws. Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 states in part, "if a student is convicted of drug distribution or possession, the court may suspend eligibility of Title IV financial aid. If a student is convicted three or more times for drug distribution, he/she may become permanently ineligible to receive Title IV financial aid."

 

It's good to hear that you take this seriously, but what if I have concerns about my own use or the use of a friend?

A student may request assistance with a drug or alcohol-related use/abuse problem without risk of penalty, provided the request is not the result of a violation. All such requests will protect the student's confidentiality. Free, confidential counseling is available.

Full procedures are outlined in your Student Handbook for reasonable cause testing. 

 

Related Link

College Catalog

 

Core Values

As a health professions institution, we provide educational experiences for the development of individuals so that they may positively influence the health and well being of the community. Through formal degree offerings, certificate programs, continuing education and community outreach efforts, the College demonstrates its commitment to the following core values:

College personnel strive to integrate these core values in the way we work and the interactions we have with students and one another. We invite you to consider these core values as your career at NMC unfolds.

 

Credit Cards

One of the first tests of adulthood is managing money.   It seems as if college students, even the best and the brightest, are failing the test year after year.   According to the American Council on Education, the average college student's debt of students attending a private college was $29,000 at the time of graduation. They also report that undergraduates have an average credit card balance of $2,700, with close to a quarter of student owing more than $3,000.   About 10 percent owed more than $7,000.

 Use these six simple solutions to help you avoid the pain and humiliation of credit card debt:

  1. Keep the number of credit cards you own down to one. And this card should be used for emergencies only! A department store card does not qualify here.
  2. Make sure that the one card has a low interest rate (less than the Mob's market rate). Ask your parents or someone with financial common sense to help you find one.
  3. If you can, get a card that requires you to pay the entire balance off at the end of the month (i.e., American Express). That will definitely keep your spending under control. If you can't afford to pay cash for an item you desperately need (other than an emergency item) then don't get it. Oh you'll be mad initially, but you'll be thankful later.
  4. Avoid the following blood-sucking credit card expenses at all costs: Christmas gifts (Merry Christmas Mom, I'm in debt), computer game CDs, going out to eat (starving today is better than owing tomorrow), clothes, gas, out of town trips, music, concert tickets, or any other vice you might have. Just say NO!
  5. If you just can't keep your hands off that one credit card, put some water in an old coffee can, drop your credit card in the can, and freeze it. Therefore, if you ever have to use it, you will have to wait for the card to "thaw" out. Let's hope by that time you would've come to your senses.

 One student once said that she actually thought credit cards took the place of money, but what she later realized is that eventually you have to pay for all that stuff. Sadly, as we face debt, it's too late to go back and change what we did and didn't do. Try to find out everything you need to know about credit cards before applying for or using one. In fact, you should treat a credit card like a gun. Because if you don't learn how to use it properly, somebody can end up getting hurt, and usually, it's the owner of the weapon. If you already own one of these "lethal weapons," and you have found yourself in debt, there are many sources available to help you. Just remember, you are in college to get a degree, not to create debt!   Courtesy :   www.rwuniversity.com

 If you owe the ABC Credit Card, $2,000 and they charge you 19.8% APR on your unpaid balance,

If you pay a minimum

that means your debt

Payment of...

will last...

2%

32 years, 3 months

3%

12 years, 7 months

4%

8 years, 7 months

5%

6 years, 9 months

Even if you do not charge anything more!

Courtesy: MasterCard, N.Y.

 

Decision Making

Here's a sobering thought:   Everything you are right now is a result of the decisions you've made in the past.   And if that is true, that means that everything you will be will consequently be a result of the decisions you make in the future.

Why is that such a sobering thought?   Well, think about it. . .what if you could go back in time and "change" some of the decisions that you've made about money, friends, school, studying, jobs, majors, or whatever?   Would your life be any different today?

Let's face it, YOU ARE YOUR DECISIONS!   That means that if you're happy where you are financially, socially, academically, physically, professionally, personally and spiritually, then give yourself a pat on the back -- you've made some great decisions! However, if you're unhappy or dissatisfied with where you are in the areas mentioned above, it just means you've made some poor decisions.   And that's okay, you're only human. In some way, we could all be a little "better off" financially, smarter academically, in a better relationship, more spiritually grounded, a little more focused, and a little thinner physically if we made better decisions.

Since we are our decisions, and we will continue to make decisions until the day we die, that means we have some control over our future and our ultimate destiny.   Unfortunately, no one has ever taught us how to make better decisions.   We tend to learn by trial and error, which is not always the best way to learn when it comes to serious matters concerning sex, relationships, and money.

Spencer Johnson, author of "Yes or No" (a great book!), provides a sequential map to better decision making.   Basically, he suggests that we use our head and consult our hearts when we're faced with tough decisions. I've never seen anyone suggest a logical sequence to decision making, but Johnson's "road map" seems to make a lot of sense.   Try it and see what you think.

In using your head, ask yourself the following questions:

Am I meeting the REAL need, informing myself of options, and thinking it through?   YES or NO Is it a mere want or a REAL need?   What information do I need? Have I created options? If I did "__________," then what would happen?   Then what?

In consulting your heart, ask yourself the following questions:

Does my decision show that I am honest with myself, trust my intuition and deserve better? Am I telling myself the truth? Does this feel right? What would I do if I deserved better? If the answer is   "YES," then proceed with the decision. If the answer is "NO," then you must rethink the decision. Ask yourself, what is my better decision? Then choose it.   I hope this little decision road map helps you in making the "tough ones."

If you need additional advice or resources, please contact Molly Atherton (402) 354-7213 or molly.atherton@methodistcollege.edu .   Molly can provide free, confidential sessions to help you make the best decisions possible.

Courtesy: www.rwuniversity.com

 

Harassment

Harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that has the intent or effect of negatively influencing or interfering with an individual's or group's personal, educational, and/or work experience at the College.

It is the policy of the College to operate in an environment free from conduct that can be construed as abrasive, offensive, intimidating, or minimizing to any individual's self-esteem. Harassment of any kind is not acceptable, is in conflict with the philosophy and policies of NMC, and will not be tolerated.

NMC has a diverse student body and is openly striving for increased cultural competence.   It is against the policy of this College that any student, staff or faculty member be subjected to attacks or comments related to any aspect of diversity.

It is essential that any incidents be reported to a College administrator so an investigation and corrective action can be taken.   Any student, employee, or other individual will be subject to disciplinary action upon violation of this policy.

FAQs

What if I have tried to talk to the person involved, but we didn't get anywhere?

If the complaint has not been handled effectively through discussion with the offending party, then it should be discussed immediately with a College administrator. The Dean of Students is the best place to begin.

What if I'm not really sure it was harassment?

It is common for victims of harassment to question themselves before accusing the offending party of harassment. If you want to confidentially bounce the situation off someone first, talk to an NMC counselor or another trusted adult.

 

Tobacco Policy

Nebraska Methodist College is a Platinum Well-Workplace. This means that the College takes seriously its role in supporting healthy behaviors by students, faculty and staff. Smoking and tobacco use is not permitted on any property of the College. Students are asked to NOT smoke in front of our neighbors homes, rather students are encouraged to get into their cars and drive off campus.

FAQ's

I can see how being a tobacco-free campus makes sense for an organization promoting health, but you've got to understand that some of us have been smoking for years. What are we supposed to do?

We do understand.   We know that smoking is a difficult habit to break and takes multiple supports to be successful.   That's why our President's Council on Wellness is ready to help. They will link you with smoking cessation groups in Omaha, provide one-on-one mentoring, and link you to the resources necessary for you to be successful.   Obviously, they are only a small part of the equation - you have to be ready to quit.

 

 


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