Good Samaritan Policy

I. Policy Statement
Student health and safety are primary concerns of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth community.  Students may be reluctant to seek help in alcohol-related emergencies because of potential judicial consequences for themselves, the person in need of assistance, or the organization hosting the event where the situation occurs. Since these emergencies are potentially life threatening, UMass Dartmouth seeks to reduce barriers to seeking assistance. To this end, this Good Samaritan Protocol has been developed.

II. Purpose
The Good Samaritan Protocol represents the University’s commitment to increasing the likelihood that community members will call for medical assistance when faced with an alcohol-related emergency. The protocol also promotes education for individuals who receive emergency medical attention related to their own use of alcohol in order to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences.

III. Definitions
Signs of serious intoxication/impairment include:
•    Inability to rouse the person with loud shouting or vigorous shaking
•    Passed out
•    Semi-conscious; person goes in/out of consciousness
•    Slow or irregular breathing or lapses in breathing
•    Weak pulse, very rapid pulse, or very slow pulse
•    Cold, clammy, or bluish skin
•    Vomiting while passed out, not waking up after vomiting, or incoherent while vomiting

IV. Procedures
Students are expected to contact Public Safety (508-999-9191 or *9191) when they believe that assistance for an intoxicated/impaired person is needed on campus.  Seek immediate help if any of the above signs are present, as they indicate a potentially life-threatening emergency.  Public Safety will assist intoxicated/impaired individuals by facilitating transport to medical facilities or by taking other protective measures. In case of an off-campus medical emergency, students should call 911 for assistance by local police or medical professionals.  If the intoxicated/impaired individual is located within a residence hall, the Woodland Community, or Cedar Dell apartments, a Resident Assistant (RA), Senior  Resident Assistant (SRA), and/or Resident Director (RD) should also be notified after Public Safety is called. A severely intoxicated/impaired individual should never be left alone; therefore, at least one person should stay with the intoxicated/impaired individual while another person notifies the RA/SRA/RD. 

Whenever a student assists an intoxicated person in procuring the assistance of Public Safety, local or state police, residential life staff, or other medical professionals, neither the intoxicated individual nor the individual who assists will be subject to formal university disciplinary actions for (1) being intoxicated or (2) having provided that person alcohol. (This protocol does not preclude disciplinary action regarding other violations of university standards, such as causing or threatening physical harm, sexual assault, damage to property, harassment, hazing, etc.  Students should also be aware that this policy does not prevent action by local and state authorities.)  Public Safety and/or Residential Life staff will record names of intoxicated students to enable any follow-up that may be deemed necessary to ensure students well-being. Other information may also be recorded to enable any other necessary follow-up. 

In order for this protocol to apply, the intoxicated student(s) must agree to timely completion of recommended alcohol education activities, assessment, and/or treatment depending on the level of concern for student health and safety. If the student does not follow these stipulations, she or he has violated the Good Samaritan Protocol and is subject to the complete range of sanctions and penalties as outlined in the Student Judicial Policies and Procedures in the Student Handbook. 

The Good Samaritan Protocol may be used more than once. However, serious or repeated incidents will prompt a higher degree of medical concern. Students and organizations that help others seek medical assistance are not limited to one use of the medical amnesty policy, as they should always feel empowered to help those in need.