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 ¶¶Òõ̽̽'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.
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 (CSC) 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.
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.
Steps for Medical Amnesty Program
If you are concerned that your friend or peer is in danger;
- Call 911, your RA, the RA on duty, or; ¶¶Òõ̽̽'s Campus Police Services at 802-656-3473
- Stay with the person until police and/or medical assistance arrives and cooperate with medical/police authorities
- Let the emergency services personnel that you called for medical amnesty
Police and/or emergency personnel may take the person of concern to one or more of the following locations:
- ¶¶Òõ̽̽ 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.
All involved can 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.
Questions about MAP? We're happy to answer them! Send an email to the Center for Student Conduct team (student.conduct@uvm.edu), get in touch with the Vice Provost and Dean of Students Office (dos@uvm.edu), or talk to your RA or other Residential Life staff.
Common Questions
Are there consequences if I don't call for emergency assistance?
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.
What if I don't say 'MAP' when I call for help?
If you forget to tell emergency services that you're calling for medical amnesty, you may receive a notice from the Center for Student Conduct. Don't panic! Email the CSC team at sconduct@uvm.edu. A staff member will respond and may want to meet with you to discuss the situation further.
My friend called for assistance on my behalf. What should I expect from Student Conduct?
If a call has been placed on your behalf, you may expect one or more of the following;
- Within a week or so of the incident, you will be contacted by either the Center for Student Conduct (CSC) and/or the Vice Provost and Dean of Students Office.
- An initial notification from CSC will refer you to the University's BASICS program.
Will I be responsible for any fees associated with ACT 1 or ¶¶Òõ̽̽ 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 ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Medical Center.
Will my parent(s) or guardian(s) 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.