Students who seek and/or receive medical assistance for themselves or someone else for alcohol and other drug use will neither be subject to community standards nor notation on their educational record for the sole violation of using or possessing a substance. Alcohol and other drug amnesty is not automatic; the criteria that must be met to receive amnesty are outlined below.
The dean of student's office is committed to providing support and assistance to students who experience negative consequences related to substance use. In cases of alcohol and other drug overuse, the primary concern is for the health and safety of the individual(s) involved.
The goal of the alcohol and other drug amnesty policy, which encompasses both medical amnesty and bystander amnesty, is to decrease the risk that a student will hesitate to seek help in an alcohol and other drug-related emergency. Alcohol and other drug amnesty policies are common on college campuses and are intended to encourage safety and responsibility throughout the community. These policies promote education and/or treatment instead of punishment for individuals who receive emergency medical attention or seek medical attention for others in order to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
Individuals who need medical assistance for themselves or others are strongly encouraged to call campus safety & wellbeing (x5424 from an on campus phone or 413.559.5424 from a cell phone).
Please note that students granted alcohol and other drug amnesty will not be exempt from sanctions resulting from other policy violations committed while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Students will be expected to take responsibility for any negative impact their behaviors had on others or the environment (e.g., property damage).
How to Receive Medical Amnesty
Medical amnesty is not automatic and is earned only once a student has completed the following:
- Met with a member of the professional residence life staff and/or dean of student's office upon request by the staff member for a brief intervention meeting.
- Completed the BASICS program as assigned by a member of the professional residence life staff or dean of student's office.
- Successfully completed any additional educational/wellness activities discussed in either of the above meetings
Failure to complete any of the steps listed above will be grounds for a community standards review either through informal or formal resolution methods.
Students may be granted medical amnesty only once during their enrollment as a Hampshire College student, because repeated community standards violations compromise not only one’s personal health and safety, but also that of the community. Students who require medical assistance due to alcohol or other drug overuse more than once may be subject to accountability measures, such as, but not limited to deferred accountability statuses, warning, administrative notice, and/or additional educational/wellness accountability measures.
How to Receive Bystander Amnesty
Bystanders who seek medical assistance on behalf of others will neither be subject to accountability measures nor notation on their educational record for the sole violation of using or possessing a substance themselves, including bystanders who are also assisting the person in need of medical attention, not solely the person placing the call for help. Bystander amnesty is not automatic and is earned only once a student has completed the following:
- Met with a professional staff member in student life upon request by that staff member.*
- Successfully completed any educational/wellness activities discussed in their meeting.
*This is not a community standards review or administrative/CSRB hearing; however, failure to attend and participate in the meeting will be grounds for a community standards review.
There is no limit to the number of times a student can receive bystander amnesty, because Hampshire College strives to create a community in which students are willing and expected to seek help for others in need.
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