convocation

Protocol for Medical Emergencies Involving Alcohol or Other Drugs

What to Do:

IN ANY EMERGENCY INVOLVING ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS, CALL 911.

For any situation where you need immediate assistance, call 802-656-3473 for UVM's Campus Police Services. If possible, please enter this number into your cell phone contacts so they are readily available to you at any time.

 

What is Medical Amnesty?

In cases of extreme intoxication or incapacitation due to alcohol and/or other drugs, it is imperative that someone calls for emergency assistance. As we prioritize student safety, the Medical Amnesty Program (MAP) removes or reduces consequences students may face in violation of UVM's Code of Student Conduct.

Amnesty is granted to students requesting support, the person in need of assistance, and/or the organization hosting the event where the incident occurs.

Students who are varsity athletes or who are members of Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations should be aware that they may still be subject to sanctions through the Athletic Code of Conduct or the Fraternity & Sorority Life Standards Process.
 

How does MAP work?

Person in Need of Assistance

Individual: If a person is in need of medical attention, (i.e. detox and/or drug related overdose), Medical Amnesty may apply after the student receives emergency medical assistance that is (a) related to the consumption of alcohol and/or other drugs, and (b) that assistance is sought by a person not serving in an official University capacity.

At the time of the incident:
The person of concern will be...

  • Transported to the Howard Center's ACT 1 program for medical assessment and monitoring; and/or
  • Transported to Chittenden County Correctional Facility for medical assessment and monitoring (only if ACT 1 is full or student is non-compliant); and/or
  • Transported to UVM Medical Center if immediate medical attention is needed

Note: If emergency services are called and a student is not transported to one or more of the above locations, amnest may still apply.

After the Incident

The individual who receives emergency medical attention will not receive sanctions through the University's student conduct process provided they complete the following:

  1. Complete a "Balancing Alcohol and Substances to Improve College Success" (BASICS) questionnaire and consultation by the stated deadline*, and;
  2. Meet with a Dean of Students staff member, depending upon the nature of the incident.

As with any alcohol and/or other drug incident—especially those that are urgent and severe—students are encouraged to contact their parents/guardians directly to let them know they are safe. Students should alert their parents/guardians that the Dean of Students office may contact them in the coming days to ensure that their student has the appropriate resources available to them.

Participation in any follow up meetings required as a result of MAP will not be noted on the student's conduct record.

Medical Amnesty is available to all students throughout their tenure at the University. However, each amnesty incident will be reviewed by the Center for Student Conduct and any follow up regarding a student's safety will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Medical Amnesty will not excuse or protect those individuals who flagrantly or repeatedly violate the Code of Student Conduct.

*Please note: Students who do not complete the requirements as outlined above will be referred to the student conduct process and the incident will be handled as outlined in UVM’s Code of Student Conduct.
 

Calling on behalf of someone else

Individual: An individual who seeks emergency assistance on behalf of others who are experiencing an alcohol and/or other drug related emergency will not be subject to University conduct action or penalty if they have violated UVM’s Code of Student Conduct during the incident. However, failure to call for medical assistance in an alcohol and/or drug related emergency is a very serious matter and will be considered an "aggravating circumstance" by Student Conduct if any violation(s) of the Code occurred during the incident.

Organization: A representative of an organization hosting an event is expected to promptly call for emergency assistance in an alcohol and/or other drug related emergency. This act of responsibility will mitigate any sanctions against the organization resulting from Code of Student Conduct violations that may have occurred at the time of the incident. Failure to call for emergency assistance in an alcohol and/or other drug related emergency is a very serious matter and will be considered an "aggravating circumstance" by Student Conduct if any violation(s) of the Code occurred during the incident.

Medical Amnesty is available to all students throughout their tenure at the university. However, each amnesty incident will be reviewed by the Center for Student Conduct and appropriate follow up regarding students' safety will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Medical Amnesty will not excuse or protect individuals who flagrantly or repeatedly violate the University Code of Student Conduct.
 

Steps for Medical Amnesty Program

1. If you are concerned that your friend or peer is in danger;

  • Call 911
  • Your RA, the RA on duty, or;
  • UVM's Campus Police Services at 802-656-3473

2. Stay with the person until police and/or medical assistance arrives

3. Cooperate with medical/police authorities

4. Be sure police services knows you called for medical amnesty

5. Police and/or emergency personnel may take the person of concern to one or more of the following locations:

  • UVM Medical Center (for assessment of serious health risks), and/or;
  • ACT 1 program at the Howard Center (to be medically assessed and monitored for safety), or;
  • The Chittenden County Correctional Facility (if ACT 1 is full or the person is not cooperative, they will be held in custody but not charged with any crime).

Note: Amnesty still applies if emergency services are called and the student is not transported to one or more of the locations noted above.

Expect a follow up email from a staff member in the Center for Student Conduct, who will review the situation and determine appropriate next steps. Failure to comply will revoke the amnesty and will result in the incident being addressed as a student conduct matter.

FAQs

What is the Medical Amnesty Program (MAP)?

a. UVM's Medical Amnesty Program allows students to call for help when a friend or peer needs emergency attention as a result of consuming alcohol or other drugs. This program works to ensure that students receive the necessary care without fear of punishment or sanctions for violating UVM’s Code of Student Conduct.

Note: Students who are varsity athletes or Fraternity or Sorority members are subject to separate sanctions through the Athletic Code of Conduct or Fraternity and Sorority Life Standards process. Amnesty provided through MAP does not apply to these separate sanctions.

Will I ever run out of amnesty?

Every situation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students involved in repeated incidents may be referred for a student conduct case or may be asked to address underlying issues involving alcohol or other drug use on a more intensive level.

What will happen if I do not complete BASICS?

If you do not complete the BASICS, the incident will be referred through the student conduct process.

I received a notice of charge letter, but I called for medical assistance. What should I do?

Contact the Center for Student Conduct via email at sconduct@uvm.edu. A staff member will respond and may want to meet with you to discuss your situation further.

Will using MAP affect my academic standing?

No. However, if you are involved in repeated incidents, you may be referred for student conduct action or asked to address underlying issues involving alcohol or other drug use on a more intensive level.

Will I be responsible for any fees associated with ACT 1 or UVM Medical Center?

Yes. Although you may be granted amnesty and cleared of any violations from the Center for Student Conduct, you will still be responsible for any service fees charged to you and/or your student account if you were taken to ACT 1 or UVM Medical Center.

If I'm calling on someone's behalf, what can I expect to happen?

Firstly, thank you for your actions and assistance in a critical moment of need. If you were not violating any campus policy, no other action is required at this time.

If you were violating campus policy, amnesty will be granted and you may receive a follow up communication from the Center for Student Conduct.

My friend has called for assistance on my behalf; what should I expect next?

If a call has been placed on your behalf, you may expect one or more of the following;

  1. You will be immediately taken by UVM Rescue or UVM Campus Police Services to UVM Medical Center, the Howard Center's ACT 1 program, or the Chittenden County Correctional Facility. In some situations, you may go to one or more of these places. Amnesty still applies even if emergency services are called and you are not transported to one or more of the locations noted above.
  2. Within a week or so, you will be contacted by either the Center for Student Conduct (CSC) and/or the Vice Provost and Dean of Students Office.
  3. An initial notification from CSC will refer you to the University's BASICS program.
  4. When MAP isn't clearly noted, you may receive a notification letter; refer to question 4.

Who can I talk to for further information and/or support?

We're happy to answer your questions! You can send an email to the Center for Student Conduct team, get in touch with the Vice Provost and Dean of Students Office, or talk to your RA or other Residential Life staff.

Will my parents find out?

Yes, as with any alcohol or other drug related incident—especially emergency situations—your parent/guardian will be notified after a staff member has discussed the incident with you.