5.3.4 Aviation Drug Testing Policy
| Proposed: | 07/08/2015 |
| Adopted: | 03/13/2025 |
| Last Reviewed: | 03/13/2025 |
| Effective: | 04/12/2025 |
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) maintains a learning and teaching environment that is drug and alcohol free in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and the Anti-Drug Provisions of the Georgia Code. Additionally, due to the inherently dangerous nature of the MGA School of Aviation ("SoA") programs MGA requires that all aviation students, staff, and instructors, as well as associated individuals on the SoA Campus, be free of any chemical impairment during participation in any activities related to training in Flight Management, Air Traffic Management, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aircraft Structural Technology, or any other aviation program, and during the maintenance of the training aircraft fleet.
Possession or use of any substance or drug which may impair cognitive or psychomotor function by an aviation student, instructor, or staff member involved in MGA aviation programs is strictly prohibited, either on or off campus property, in vehicles (including, and especially concerning, aircraft), or during internships.
Within the scope of this policy, aviation students, instructors, or staff members are prohibited from using, possessing, distributing, manufacturing, selling, or attempting to sell, illegal substances or drugs. Before being allowed to participate in any aviation training each student must submit to an initial drug screening. Thereafter, each individual will be subject to random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and other testing as specified herein.
If any SoA student tests positive for illegal substances, alcohol, or abuses prescription medication, the student shall be removed from the SoA program for one semester. The student may apply for (but is not guaranteed) re-entry into the MGA aviation program the following semester. Prior to re-entry the student must submit to, and successfully pass, a drug screening. After readmission, if any SoA student tests positive for illegal substances, alcohol or abuses prescription medication, the student shall be permanently removed from the MGA aviation program. Pending the resolution of any alleged violations, students who test positive may be restricted from any class or program involving flight, maintenance, and/or structural technology.
Any student attempting and/or altering a drug test shall be removed from MGA aviation programs as outlined above.
In order to participate in any of the MGA aviation programs, the student must abide by the aforementioned rules and agree to drug testing by signing the School of Aviation Drug Testing Agreement at the beginning of each semester. Failure to sign a School of Aviation Drug Testing Agreement will result in the student being denied admission or continued participation in the cohort program.
If any aviation instructor or staff member who regularly operates aircraft as PIC or involved in the safety or operation of aircraft (such as mechanics, air traffic controllers, flight instructors) tests positive for illegal substances, alcohol, or abuses prescription medication, the instructor or staff member will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment in accordance with the USG Human Resources Administrative Manual (HRAP) Policy on Dismissal, Demotions, or Suspensions.