Student Discipline

The System of University Standards and Student Conduct resolves possible violations of the Code of Student Conduct by matriculated or enrolled �Ա��Ƶ students on or off campus. The disciplinary system seeks to educate students about both personal freedoms and the limits of belonging to and living in a diverse academic community. To this end, students play a central role in the administration of �Ա��Ƶ’s System of University Standards and Student Conduct. Students participate in shaping the rules that govern the communities in which they live, and accept personal responsibility for upholding and enforcing the standards for student conduct as members of the academic community.

Students should be aware of the University’s practice in reporting disciplinary records when such information is requested. Most typically, this takes place during the application process for an off-campus study-away experience and postgraduate programs in law and medicine. Sanctions of disciplinary probation and above are noted by the students’ administrative dean to the requesting institution. In addition, students should be aware that the University cannot control the types of questions posed to it in such situations. As a result, the University must necessarily reserve the right to disclose a student’s disciplinary history and any underlying context in order to accurately respond to such requests.

The Disciplinary Officer, appointed by the Vice President and Dean of the College, oversees the System of University Standards and Student Conduct.

The University’s disciplinary system does not supersede civil or criminal court proceedings. Students on campus as well as off campus remain subject to federal, state, and local laws.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Violations

Students found responsible for violating the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy may be required to complete educational programs and/or may face disciplinary sanctions. Ordinarily, singular violations of the alcohol and other drugs policy will result in minor disciplinary consequences and an educational opportunity to examine one’s relationship with substances. However, repeated violations of the alcohol and other drugs policy, or violations that have an impact on others in the community, may result in more significant disciplinary sanctions. See the section “Procedures of the System of University Standards and Student Conduct” elsewhere in this handbook for more information.

Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drugs

Any student arrested for driving while intoxicated, or a student about whom the University has received information indicating that they may have operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, will be charged with a violation of this policy and have their case adjudicated through the University Student Conduct Board. A finding of responsibility by the board will result in, at minimum, a sanction of immediate suspension, ordinarily for the remainder of the term. This policy does not preclude disciplinary proceedings under the System of University Standards and Student Conduct for conduct violations involving alcohol and/or other drugs in connection with vehicle use that does not meet the definition of driving while intoxicated under New York law.

Leave of Absence for Alcohol and Other Drug Use

A key component of �Ա��Ƶ’s mission is to provide a safe environment where students are able to pursue their academic and personal goals. The University may place a student on a Leave of Absence for Alcohol and Drug Use if the student’s behavior suggests that they repeatedly make unhealthy decisions about alcohol and/or other drug use, or engage in other practices associated with alcohol or other drugs that threaten the life, health, or safety of themselves or others. The University may impose leave of absence for significant or repeated violations of the terms of the University’s Policy on Alcohol and Drugs.

If a leave is imposed, the �Ա��Ƶ case management team will determine the terms of the leave and requirements for readmission. The terms will normally include a requirement that the student be evaluated for drug or alcohol abuse issues and participate in a treatment program, if recommended for them. While a leave of absence for violations of the Policy on Alcohol and Drugs is not a disciplinary sanction, disclosure of the leave of absence may be provided in instances where disciplinary information is requested (for example, law and medical school dean certifications).

Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Exemptions

�Ա��Ƶ’s Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Exemptions are integrated components under the System of University Standards and Student Conduct. As such, the University seeks to advance through the system two fundamental responsibilities of students — respect and appreciation for the safety of self and others and respect and appreciation for the law and University policy. The University acknowledges that there may be times when students are unable to successfully meet the two aforementioned responsibilities and, as such, seeks to help students learn from experiences in which they were unable to uphold their responsibility and to move students toward broader understanding, appreciation, and ownership of personal accountability.

The Medical Amnesty exemption is not viewed as an avenue through which a student may escape responsibility, but rather, the means by which they will be challenged and supported to discern their responsibilities and to be accountable as members of the �Ա��Ƶ community. In instances when the Medical Amnesty exemption is applied, the outcome will not result in a disciplinary record should the incident be limited to a violation of the Policy on Alcohol and Drugs. Medical Amnesty will be employed only in situations where the impact is limited to the effects of personal consumption. That is, it would not be available to a student who provided alcohol to another student where both required emergency care.

In order for the Medical Amnesty process to be effective, students are expected to understand the risks of alcohol or other drug overdose and to be aware of signs that suggest an emergency response may be necessary. The goal of this program is to increase student awareness of the risks of alcohol or other drug overdose and to reduce the instances of such overdoses. Thus, for situations in which the Medical Amnesty exemption applies, students will be expected to review their case with several University officials — including the Coordinator of Alcohol and Drug Education, the University’s Disciplinary Officer and, in some cases, the Director of Student Health Services.

Core Components of the Medical Amnesty Exemption

The Medical Amnesty exemption can only be employed when violations are limited to the Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs.

There are no limitations on the number of Medical Amnesty exemptions a student may have.
Students who are eligible for the Medical Amnesty exemption must complete a detailed program of education with the Coordinator of Alcohol and Drug Education and comply with any further recommendations.
Students who fail to comply with the assigned educational requirements under Medical Amnesty will be subject to disciplinary sanctions as appropriate.
Students who are discovered alone by a University official, including a community leader, campus safety officer, or a local law enforcement official and who require emergency medical care as a result of their alcohol or other drug use are not eligible for the Medical Amnesty exemption.
Situations where emergency care is required — and for which the Medical Amnesty exemption is not available — will likely result in disciplinary sanctions
Students who may be eligible for the Medical Amnesty exemption are not immune to any legal or other law enforcement actions that may result from a given situation

Core Components of the Good Samaritan Exemption

Students or organizations who call for assistance on behalf of an individual(s) in need of medical attention due to consumption of alcohol and/or drugs, and who themselves may be in violation of the University’s Policy on Alcohol and Drugs, are eligible for the Good Samaritan exemption.

In cases where the Good Samaritan exemption applies, the student(s) and/or organization calling for assistance will not be sanctioned for violation of the Policy on Alcohol and Drugs.
There are no limitations on the number of Good Samaritan exemptions a student or organization may have.
If a student in need of medical attention is in a student residence, the students who occupy the room, and/or others present are expected to make a call for assistance. Similarly, for situations occurring in residential common spaces (suites, apartments, townhouses, Broad Street houses), and for locations controlled or used by an organization for organizational activities, it is expected that the community or organization will make a call for assistance. Should it be determined that a student or organization knowingly failed to call for assistance, the student or organization may be subject to disciplinary action under the System of University Standards and Student Conduct.
In cases where there have been other violations of campus policy (e.g., hazing, harassment, assault, vandalism), calling for assistance for an individual in need of medical attention may be considered a mitigating factor in any disciplinary process arising out of such violations (and failure to seek assistance may be considered an aggravating factor in any such disciplinary process).
Students or organizations who are eligible for the Good Samaritan exemption are not immune to any legal or other law enforcement actions that may result from a given situation

Sources of Information and Help

Students with questions about alcohol or other drugs may contact the following agencies or groups for confidential information or assistance:

�Ա��Ƶ Counseling and Psychological Services (Conant House): Call 315-228-7385 during regular hours; at other times, call 315-228-1000 and ask the operator for the staff member on duty.
Shaw Wellness Institute: Call 315-228-6403. A trained alcohol/substance abuse counselor is a member of the staff.
Members of the Office of the Dean of the College’s Staff: Call 315-228-7426 for the name of your administrative dean. The administrative dean can assist you with an appropriate referral.
�Ա��Ƶ Student Health Services: 315-228-7750 during regular hours; at other times, call 315-228-1000 and ask the operator for the staff member on duty.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Several weekly meetings are held on campus and in the Hamilton area. Contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 315-228-7385 for days, times, and locations, or visit the.
Al-Anon: For family members or friends of alcoholics, call Counseling and Psychological Services for information about local meetings, or visit the.
Adult Children of Alcoholics: Call Counseling and Psychological Services for information about meetings on campus.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Call Madison County Mental Health Department, Oneida, N.Y., 1-800-721-2327.
BRIDGES, Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: 3059 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota, NY; 315-697-3947.

�Ա���Ƶ