Amnesty Policy

1. Medical Amnesty. Student health and safety is a substantial University interest. The University’s interest in promoting student health and safety is furthered by encouraging students to seek and obtain prompt medical assistance for themselves or another individual who is in distress from the use of alcohol, and/or other substances, or is experiencing a medical emergency. The University’s interest is also furthered by removing obstacles to obtaining prompt medical assistance for an individual in need.
   
   A student who in good faith seeks or obtains medical assistance (e.g. seeking assistance of a university staff member, calling UAPD at 330-972-2911 if on campus, or calling 9-1-1 if off campus) for themselves or for another individual for the use of alcohol, other substances, or experiencing a medical emergency shall not be charged with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct in connection with the possession or use of alcohol or drugs if all of the following apply:
   
   
   1. The information that would be the basis of the Code of Student Conduct alcohol, drug or other offense was obtained as a result of a student seeking medical assistance for themselves or another individual.
      
      
   2. The student accepts responsibility for the misconduct; obtains an alcohol and drug assessment; complies with any recommendations for treatment from a university or community alcohol or drug abuse services provider or a properly credentialed substance abuse or addiction treatment professional; and completes any educational interventions required by the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
      
      
   3. The student provides documentation of completion of assessment and treatment recommendations.
      
      
   4. The student has not previously been granted medical amnesty in defense of another alcohol or drug incident.
      
      
   5. The student is in good disciplinary standing with the university.
      
      
2. Limited Amnesty. To encourage reporting and adjudication of student misconduct including, but not limited to, gender-based misconduct, the university of Akron may extend limited amnesty to complainants, respondents, and witnesses. Such amnesty may be granted at the sole discretion of the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards or designee.
   
   
3. Amnesty does not preclude any disciplinary actions regarding other university violations including, but not limited to, endangering, threatening, or attempting to cause physical harm to another individual; gender-based misconduct; damage to property; theft; hazing; or any other Code of Student Conduct violation.
   
   
4. Student Organizations. If a representative of a recognized student organization seeks medical assistance under medical amnesty, that act will be considered as a mitigating factor in determining a sanction if the organization is found in violation of the Code of Student Conduct in connection with the occurrence.
   
   
5. In the event of a health and safety emergency, the University may notify the students’ parents/guardians about the incident.
   
   
6. Amnesty applies only to disciplinary actions under Code of Student Conduct violations and does not limit any law enforcement agency, including the University of Akron Police Department, from investigating or prosecuting criminal activity in accordance with federal, state or local law.
   
   
7. Determination of whether all the conditions of amnesty have been satisfied is at the sole discretion of the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards or designee. When circumstances warrant, the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards may waive compliance with subparagraphs (1)(d) and (1)(e). A student who fails to successfully satisfy all the conditions of this policy, including any required educational interventions, will be referred for adjudication as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct for the original incident.