GOOD SAMARITAN POLICY

Objective:   To save lives and acknowledge that student health and welfare are essential.

Philosophy Statement:  The College takes pride in the partnership that exists between students and the officials who respond to emergency situations.  The health and safety of students as it relates to critical incidents regarding alcohol and other drug use, misuse, and abuse are of paramount concern; especially when the individual is in need of timely medical assistance.  Students must never hesitate to contact authorities when they suspect they themselves, another student, or a non-student is in need of urgent medical care stemming from their use of alcohol or other drugs because they are concerned that the incident may lead to disciplinary actions for themselves or others.  In case of emergency students must call the Public Safety Department, (201) 684-6666, a Resident Assistant, or dial 911 from a cellphone.

Examples of critical incidents where students are encouraged to activate the Good Samaritan Policy by calling for help:

• A student is apprehensive to call for help because they has consumed enough alcohol (or other drugs) to be considered to be in an intoxicated state in violation of laws and/or college policies;
• A student is reluctant to call for help for another student who is unconscious, unresponsive, or violently vomiting due to alcohol or other drug use;
• A student is hosting a social gathering where alcohol or other drugs are available.  An attendee at the gathering is intoxicated and in need of medical attention;
• A student is attending a social gathering where alcohol or other drugs are available. A person is intoxicated and in need of medical attention;
• An intoxicated student has been “put to bed” by a peer fearing that calling for help will involve disciplinary actions and/or parental notification.

Protocol:

• The Good Samaritan Policy is applied after an incident has been reviewed in the Office of Student Conduct.  College personnel responding to an incident will follow all protocols on the scene, including documentation of the incident and of those involved.
• The Good Samaritan Policy applies to students who seek medical attention for themselves or students seeking help for another intoxicated individual.  Medical attention includes an assessment by first-responders.
• Other violations of the Code of Conduct documented, including but not limited to: the threat of harm to others, damage to College property, violations of the College Hazing Policy or sexual victimization may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for review and possible disciplinary action or referrals to the Center for Health and Counseling Services.  In other words, other Code of Conduct violations associated with the incident may NOT be granted amnesty.
• The Good Samaritan Policy exists so that students will do the right thing and seek medical attention for themselves or others without the fear of disciplinary outcomes.  The incident does not become recorded on the student’s official disciplinary record in the Office of Student Conduct.  A record will exist in the Office of Student Conduct that the incident transpired, but is not normally reportable to outside employers, agencies, or noted on a transcript.  The record exists to track the student’s behavior should there be another incident of a similar nature.   Please note that some background checks for local, State, and/or Federal levels of employment require the full disclosure and release of all student records.
• College officials will use the protocols in place for communicating with a student’s emergency contact should a student be hospitalized or if it is deemed by officials to be a dangerous or potentially dangerous condition or circumstance.   In other words, the student’s emergency contact person will most likely be called.
• As per college protocol, a student who is transported to the hospital for an alcohol or drug related incident may be issued an Interim Suspension.  An Interim Suspension is not a disciplinary action and is therefore not covered by the Good Samaritan Policy.  The student should follow the Interim Suspension guidelines for reinstatement to the College.
• The College reserves the right to review each occurrence and make determinations on a case by case basis.

Full Amnesty:  Violations of the Code of Conduct that fall under this policy will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct but not issued any formal sanctions or actions. The student(s) involved will be called to a Student Conduct Hearing to discuss the incident and the Code of Conduct. The Hearing Officer may make recommendations to the student(s) that include education and/or intervention through the Center for Health and Counseling Services. In cases where the student is hospitalized, an alcohol and other drug assessment with the Center for Health and Counseling Services will be strongly encouraged and the student may expect a counselor to follow up with them depending on the results of the assessment.

Provisions:  This policy is in place to provide help and support for the health of Ramapo College students in isolated situations.  It does not excuse or protect those who repeatedly violate College policy.  In most cases, the Good Samaritan Policy will be applied once – either to the intoxicated student, those that have served alcohol or other drugs, or those attending social gatherings.  In other words, repeat offenders may have their cases referred to the Office of Student Conduct for a formal disciplinary review.

Responding officials will use standard protocols for documenting information and collecting identification.  All students are expected to comply and provide identification.  Students should not assume that the Good Samaritan Policy applies to them at the time of the incident.