Skip To Main Content

Robert Morris University Athletics

RMU Drug Testing Program

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY, OFFICE OF ATHLETIC COMPLIANCE


RMU DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

Robert Morris University and the Department of Athletics follow the NCAA guidelines with reference to banned substances. The NCAA further recommends that member institutions should develop a specific written policy that is to be distributed and publicized. What follows is the Robert Morris University Department of Athletics program designed to meet the needs of the institution with regard to substance abuse.

CONSENT FORM

As a condition of participation and/or receiving athletic financial aid in any intercollegiate sport, each student-athlete must sign a consent form which states that he/she is informed of the Robert Morris University athletics drug testing program. Failure to sign the consent form results in the student-athlete being ineligible for participation and receipt of athletic financial aid.

RANDOM TESTING / REASONABLE CAUSE TESTING

All student-athletes will be subjected to random drug testing throughout the academic year. In addition, reasonable cause testing will be used in cases where there is a suspicion on the part of the Department of Athletics that a student-athlete(s) is under the influence of a controlled, banned, or illegal substance. This could include, but is not limited to: erratic behavior, involvement in an altercation on or off campus, or incidents where there is reason to believe that alcohol or other drugs could have been involved.

Initial determinations of reasonable suspicion by a Department of Athletics or Student Affairs staff member will be referred to the RMU Athletics Drug and Alcohol Committee. The Director of Athletics, in consultation with members of the Committee, will determine what action, if any action will be taken regarding the student-athlete. Failure to cooperate in a reasonable cause investigation and urine testing will be viewed as a positive test.

PROCEDURES

Notification

The RMU drug testing program is designed to protect the confidentiality of an individual and to assure that information regarding individual student-athletes will not be transmitted to individuals who have neither the right nor the need to know.

Urine testing will be done in a mandatory and unannounced manner. Any student-athlete who is currently enrolled at Robert Morris University may be selected. The drug test will be administered by the Department of Athletics in conjunction with the University Health Service.

Student-athletes will be notified either in person or by telephone by a member of the athletic department to proceed directly to the University Health Service located in Ross Hall.

Specimen Collection

When providing a specimen, the student-athlete must observe the following guidelines:

  1. The student-athlete must present photo identification at the testing site.
  2. The student-athlete will provide information regarding any current medications and nutritional supplements.
  3. The student-athlete will then follow all instructions for the collection procedure from the University Health Service staff member.
  4. At least two ounces of urine must be provided. The student-athlete must remain at the testing site until sample is provided.
  5. The collection process will be witnessed by a member of the medical or athletic staff.
  6. University Health Service staff will then follow the proper procedure for a screening test of the urine.
  7. If the screening yields a positive result, University Health Service staff member will then package the specimen for transport to the lab while the student-athlete observes.

Noncompliance

Not submitting a urine specimen at the specific time requested by RMU will be considered the same as a positive test.

DRUG TESTING RESULTS

The results of the second lab test will be confirmed by the RMU team physician, then reported to the Director of Athletics. When a positive test is confirmed, the head coach will be notified of the positive test result by the Director of Athletics. Other University officials and the parent/guardian of the student-athlete may be notified of the test results if the Director of Athletics deems it appropriate.

POSITIVE FINDINGS

Upon notification of a confirmed positive test the student-athlete will be immediately suspended from all team activities and will be given a Plan of Care and referred for appropriate assistance to an outside agency as outlined below:

First Positive Test

  1. Immediate suspension from all intercollegiate competition for a minimum of 7 days, or longer based upon individual team guidelines. Suspension will begin upon confirmation of the positive test result by the RMU team physician.
  2. Student-athlete will meet with the team physician, and head athletic trainer to outline Plan of Care.
  3. The Director of Athletics and head coach may be involved in the Plan of Care.
  4. The parent/guardian of the student-athlete may be involved in the Plan of Care.
  5. The Plan of Care will include, but is not limited to, mandatory counseling and periodic, unannounced testing.
  6. The student-athlete must comply with the Plan of Care before he/she returns to athletic participation.
  7. Any student-athlete who is reinstated after first positive test is subject to additional testing throughout the remainder of athletic career at RMU.

Second Positive Test

  1. Suspension from all participation for one calendar year from date of positive test results.
  2. During the suspension period, the student-athlete's grant-in-aid will be withdrawn.
  3. Student-athlete will meet with the Director of Athletics, team physician, head coach, and head athletic trainer to outline Plan of Care.
  4. The parent/guardian of the student-athlete may be involved in the Plan of Care.
  5. The Plan of Care will include, but is not limited to: mandatory counseling and periodic, unannounced testing.
  6. The student-athlete must complete the Plan of Care before he/she returns to athletic participation.
  7. Any student-athlete who is reinstated after second positive test is subject to additional testing at any time.

Third Positive Test

  1. Third offense will result in immediate and permanent ineligibility from all RMU athletics without any opportunity for future participation.
  2. Athletic grant-in-aid is withdrawn.

Plan of Care

Any costs incurred during the implementation of the Plan of Care will be the responsibility of the student-athlete. The costs will not be the responsibility of the University.

Note: The above sanctions are in addition to any sanctions applied by the University Judicial Board. In addition, each athletic team may have additional consequences as part of its team rules.

NCAA DRUG TESTING

In addition to the RMU Drug Testing program, a separate drug testing program administered by the NCAA is also in place. Information on this program is provided in the following links and documents.

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY

COOPERATION, CONSCIENCE, COMPLIANCE... COLONIALS!