Update on proposed Amnesty Policy

3/12/2007 - President Kevin May reported Mar. 12 that the latest version of the proposed Medical Amnesty Policy has been drafted by Mike Connolly, SJU Dean of Students and Jody Terhaar, CSB Dean of Students. A small committee of senators and students will review the proposed policy before presenting it to the CSB/SJU Campus Alcohol Committee. The Committee will form a recommendation on whether to proceed with implementing the policy at both CSB and SJU.

The premise of a Medical Amnesty Policy would declare that no student seeking medical treatment for an alcohol or other drug-related overdose will be subject to university discipline for the sole violation of using or possessing alcohol or drugs. This policy would also extend to another student seeking help for the intoxicated student.  The specific wording of the policy would aim to encourage student safety, not to create a “free pass” for substance violations. The specifics of the lessened disciplinary actions would still require clarification.

The SJS has supported such a policy since spring 2006, when it endorsed its first policy draft. Discussion on such a policy has focused on the benefits to safety and community, possible policy loopholes, and research on similar policies at other colleges and universities.

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Raj Chaphalkar
Public Relations Consultant
Saint John's Senate
320-363-2945

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