The safety and welfare of students is a University priority, and at times, students may need immediate medical assistance.  However, students may be reluctant to get help because of concerns that their own behavior may be a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct.  To minimize any hesitation students or student organizations may have in obtaining help due to these concerns, the University has instituted a medical amnesty policy.  This policy is applicable to the following parties:

1. a student requesting medical assistance for oneself;
2. a student requesting medical assistance for another person;
3. a student for whom medical assistance was provided.

When responding to any alcohol or drug violations, the University will consider a student’s decision to request medical assistance, and in most cases, view the act of seeking medical assistance as good judgment, therefore not deserving of the typical sanctions.  At a minimum, students or student organizations should make an anonymous report that would put the student in need in contact with professional help.  Examples where this policy may apply include:

1. A student is reluctant to call an ambulance when a friend becomes unconscious following excessive consumption of alcohol because the reporting student is under the age of 21 and was also consuming alcohol.
2. A student is reluctant to report that they have been sexually assaulted because they had been consuming alcohol and is under the age of 21. It is in the best interests of this community that victims choose to report to University officials.  To encourage reporting incidents of sexual misconduct, the University pursues a procedure of offering victims of sexual misconduct limited immunity from being charged for any policy violations related to the sexual misconduct incident.   

Although the University may choose not to impose disciplinary sanctions, the University may mandate educational options (such as alcohol and other drug assessments and attendance to alcohol education programs) in such cases.  Once a student receives medical amnesty, any future amnesty is at the discretion of the Dean of Students or their designee.  The Dean of Students or their designee also have discretion to determine that this policy does not apply in more serious situations, including criminal possession of drugs, property damage, and acts of violence.