Effective Date: August 1, 2023
Responsible Official: Associate Dean of Students & Director of Student Conduct
Responsible University Office: Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards
Review Period: Yearly
Relates to: Students
Case Western Reserve University seeks to promote a community of care through providing Medical Amnesty for individuals and organizations who seek medical attention related to medical emergencies for alcohol and drugs. To ensure that a student obtain the help they need for these potentially life-threatening emergencies, CWRU seeks to reduce barriers to seeking assistance.
Case Western Reserve University’s Medical Amnesty Policy:
1. Eliminates Student Conduct consequences for:
- a. students and/or organizations seeking assistance
- b. the assisted individual
- c. others involved
2. Applies when allegations under the Student Code of Conduct or other policies involve
- a. consumption of alcohol
- b. use of drugs
- c. disorderly conduct
3. Does not preclude disciplinary action regarding other Code of Conduct violations, including but not limited to,
- a. causing or threatening physical harm
- b. sexual violence
- c. damage to property
- d. fake identification
- e. unlawful provision of alcohol or other drugs
- f. harassment
- g. hazing
In order for medical amnesty to be upheld, the assisted student must agree to timely completion of assigned alcohol and/or drug education activities, assessment, and/or treatment (assigned by Case Western Reserve University depending on the level of concern for student health and safety)
- Failure to complete recommended follow-up will normally result in revocation of Medical Amnesty.
- Repeated incidents resulting in medical amnesty may prompt a higher degree of medical concern with additional steps taken
Likewise, organizations involved in an incident must agree to take recommended steps to address concerns, such as educational follow-up. Multiple incidents resulting in medical amnesty may result in revocation of an organization’s recognition.
Medical Amnesty does not negate the University’s obligation to notify the CWRU Police Department as required by Ohio State Law. 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 and/or drug emergency. The Medical Amnesty Policy also promotes education for individuals who receive emergency medical 15 attention related to their own use of alcohol or other drugs in order to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences.
Portions of the Medical Amnesty Policy have been adapted from Cornell University’s Good Samaritan Protocol
Last Updated: August 1, 2023