Good Samaritan Medical Amnesty Program
The health and safety of each student is a priority for The Catholic University of America community.
All members are called to offer help and assistance to others in need. The Office of the Dean of Students recognizes that the potential for disciplinary action could unnecessarily deter students from seeking assistance for themselves and/or others in cases of alcohol or other drug related emergencies. Therefore, the Good Samaritan / Medical Amnesty Program has been designed to remove this barrier that might prevent students from seeking medical attention. Through the Good Samaritan / Medical Amnesty Program, students who actively seek assistance for another person in need of medical attention (Good Samaritan) or students who actively seek assistance for themselves (Medical Amnesty) will be exempt from the University Student Conduct process, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Instead, these situations will be addressed as a health and safety concern if the following conditions are met.
In order to be considered for this program, students are expected to:
- Contact emergency officials:
- For an on campus incident, contact the Department of Public Safety at 202-319-5111 or a Residence Life staff member
- For an off campus incident, dial 911
- Remain with the individual(s) needing treatment as long as it is safe to do so
- Meet with a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students following the incident
- Agree to and complete educational and/or health interventions as a condition of deferring student conduct sanctions
Any student who abuses this program will be subject to disciplinary action. This program does not apply to other alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct that may have occurred as a part of the incident, such as: disorderly conduct, physical abuse, conduct which threatens safety, verbal or physical harassment or property damage. This program also does not preclude summons, citations or actions by local, state or federal authorities.
Students at The Catholic University of America have an ethical responsibility to help others in need and the Good Samaritan / Medical Amnesty Program is in place to help students take active steps to protect the health, safety and well-being of the Catholic University community.
For questions regarding this program contact:
The Office of the Dean of Students on email cua-deanofstudents@cua.edu or phone 202-319-5619.