Medical Amnesty And Good Samaritan Policy

The purpose of this policy is to increase the likelihood that medical attention is provided to students who need it due to alcohol intoxication or use of drugs by removing impediments to seeking such assistance. This policy is intended for use in isolated situations; therefore, it does not excuse or protect those who flagrantly or repeatedly violate College policy. 

Good Samaritan Policy: The spirit of the Good Samaritan is that we all have an ethical responsibility to help people in need.  St. Mary’s College expects that students will take an active role in protecting the safety and well-being of their peers and the College community. In order to promote this, when a student assists an individual who is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs in procuring medical assistance, that student may be granted amnesty from formal disciplinary action by the College for violating the alcohol or drug policies. The student may be required to attend an educational conference with the VPSA or their designee or designee to discuss the incident and his/her role in it and may be required to complete follow-up if deemed necessary.  

Medical Amnesty Policy: When a student is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and seeks medical assistance, they may be granted amnesty from formal disciplinary action by the College for violating the alcohol or drug policies. Upon receiving a report that a student needs medical assistance, College staff will respond through the Office of Public Safety to obtain EMS services, and responding officials will use standard procedures for documenting information and collecting identification of all persons involved. Conduct charges will be deferred and will be dismissed upon successful completion of an approved alcohol and/or drug intervention program, leaving the student with no disciplinary record. Failure to successfully complete an approved alcohol and/or intervention program will result in the processing of alcohol use or possession charges and, if proven, may result in more severe sanctions. 

Representatives of a student organization who summon medical emergency assistance will be relieved from alcohol use or possession conduct charges under this protocol for their personal actions. Organization charges and consideration of conduct sanctions, if necessary, may be mitigated by the actions taken by representatives. 

Criteria for granting amnesty may include but is not limited to the severity of the incident, the student’s disposition regarding the incident, whether the student has been granted amnesty in the past, and the student’s previous conduct record. Amnesty will not be granted for incidents which occur off-campus and will not extend to other conduct violations associated with the incident, including but not limited to distribution of drugs, hazing, vandalism, or sexual harassment perpetration. Amnesty can only extend to College conduct processes and does not protect students from criminal or civil penalties. 

 Following receipt of an incident report by the VPSA or their designee office, the student will attend an informal resolution conference with a student conduct officer, who will review the incident, the role of alcohol or drugs, and College policies. The following are examples of educational interventions that may be required for individuals who receive amnesty under this policy: 

1. The student may be required to obtain an alcohol or drug assessment from College Wellness Center or from an off-campus certified addictions counselor (e.g. Walden-Sierra). If required to obtain an assessment, the student will provide a copy of the assessment report, or verification by an on-campus counselor, to the VPSA or their designee or designee as directed. If the assessment indicates that further treatment is warranted, the program of treatment must be completed. The cost of the assessment (if any) and treatment is the responsibility of the student. 
2. The student may be required to attend the Peer2Peer Alcohol Education Class taught by the Peer Health Educators.  
3. Parental Notification Policy: The College notifies the parents/guardians of students whose consumption of alcohol or drugs results in the student being sent to the hospital.