Medical Amnesty Policy

Policy Title UMass Dartmouth Medical Amnesty Policy
Policy Number STU-C15-002
Effective Date 1 /7 /15
Responsible Office: Student Affairs
Related Policies Replaces Good Samaritan Policy

I. Policy Statement

Student health and safety are primary concerns of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth community. The expectation of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is that all community members will care for the health and safety of themselves and others. Students are expected to seek immediate medical assistance for themselves or others when necessary. Whenever there is a safety concern for another student or belief that assistance is needed , students are expected to contact Public Safety. Students may be reluctant to seek help in alcohol or other drug-related emergencies because of potential student conduct 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 Medical Amnesty Policy has been developed .

II. Purpose

The Medical Amnesty Policy represents the University's commitment to increasing the likelihood that community members will call for medical assistance when faced with an alcohol or other drug-related emergency. The policy also promotes education for individuals who receive emergency medical attention related to their own use of alcohol and/or other drugs in order to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences .

III. Definitions

Signs of serious intoxication/impairment vary depending upon the drug used, but include :

• Inability to rouse the person with loud shouting or vigorous shaking
• Passed out/Unconscious person
• Semi-conscious; person goes in/out of consciousness
• Vomiting while passed out/unconscious, not waking up after vomiting , or incoherent while vomiting
• Extreme agitation, aggressive and/or erratic behavior

IV. Procedures

Seek immediate help if any of the above signs are present, as they indicate a potentially life-threatening emergency. 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. 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. To protect the safety of the person in need of assistance, the individual reporting the medical emergency is strongly encouraged to stay with the intoxicated/impaired individual until help arrives and cooperate with university, medical , and public safety personnel. 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 not ified 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. Public Safety and/or Housing & Residential Education staff will record names of intoxicated/impaired 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.

Whenever a student assists an intoxicated/impaired person in procuring the assistance of Public Safety, local or state police, Housing & Residential Education staff, or medical professionals, neither the intoxicated/impaired individual nor the individual who assists will be subject to formal university disciplinary actions for (I) being intoxicated/impaired or (2) possession of alcohol or other drugs.

This policy 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 . Nothing contained in this Policy shall prevent anyone from being found responsible and held accountable for trafficking, distribution or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, via the Student Conduct system . Students should also be aware that this policy does not prevent action by local and state authorities.

ln order for this policy to apply, the intoxicated/impaired student(s) must agree to timely completion of recommended alcohol or other drug 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 Medical Amnesty Policy and is subject to the complete range of sanctions and penalties as outlined in the Student Conduct Policies and Procedures in the Student Handbook.

Students 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 . The Medical Amnesty Policy may be used more than once by students in need of assistance. However, serious or repeated incidents will prompt a higher degree of concern and progressive follow-up. The University reserves the right to review each incident and make determinations regarding appropriate action on a case-by-case basis.

When incidents requiring medical intervention result from the consumption of alcohol or other drugs associated with an event held, sponsored, organized or supported by a student group/organization are reported, at minimum, student groups/organizations will have a meeting with the group advisor and a member of the Student Affairs leadership . At this meeting, the student group/organization may receive recommendations for more responsible hosting and the group/organization may be required to participate in additional educational activities . Failure to implement any recommendations or complete any required education/training will result in disciplinary action . Serious or repeated medical emergencies at events hosted by student groups/organizations will prompt progressive follow-up . The University reserves the right to review each incident and make determinations regarding appropriate action on a case-by-case basis.

Not seeking assistance for a member of our community in medical need may have serious and lasting consequence. Disciplinary response will be severe for any student or student group/ organization interfering with another's ability to take responsible community action.

V. Responsibility

Questions regarding the UMass Dartmouth Medical Amnesty Policy may be directed to Student Affairs , Health Education, Public Safety or the Office of Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution

VI. Attachments

None.