Medical Assistance Amnesty

The College of Wooster is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all members of the campus community. There are times when a student may consume alcohol to a level of extreme intoxication or a student may have a medical emergency following the use of drugs and/or alcohol. Signs of a medical emergency may include but are not limited to vomiting, loss of coordination or balance, loss of consciousness, and/or bouts of unresponsiveness. In those cases, the College considers the safety, health, and well-being of students paramount to documenting students for minor violations of the code of student conduct. To encourage students to seek help for students who are in need of medical assistance under those circumstances, the College will consider Medical Assistance Amnesty for both the student in need of medical assistance and the student(s) seeking help on behalf of that student.

The College may apply Medical Assistance Amnesty as a resolution to minor policy violations under the following circumstances:

  • For a student who requires medical assistance.
  • For a student who is a victim of certain crimes, such as physical assault, sexual assault, or sexual misconduct.
  • For a student who is assisting another student in need of medical assistance.
  • For a student who is reporting a serious crime and/or policy violation to the appropriate authorities.

The determination of whether or not Medical Assistance Amnesty is granted is based on the totality of the circumstances and is determined by the Dean of Students Office. The list of minor policy offenses for which a student may be granted Medical Assistance Amnesty includes:

  • Possession or consumption of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age; irresponsible use of alcohol; and/or open container violation: The Scot’s Key

, Section IV. Drugs, A. Alcoholic Beverages, 1. The Ohio State Law, 2. Individual Consumption. Noise: The Scot’s Key , Section VIII. Noise. Tobacco: The Handbook of Selected College Policies

  • , III. Tobacco.

The granting of Medical Assistance Amnesty by The College of Wooster has no bearing on any criminal or civil proceeding that may be filed through the City of Wooster or State of Ohio court systems.

Medical Assistance Amnesty may or may not be granted under some circumstances. Examples include:

  • When there are multiple or repeated incidents involving the same student;
  • In cases in which a drug offense could result in a criminal arrest or a felony drug violation, e.g., when drug paraphernalia is present and State law requires that it be reported; or
  • When a student has a history of conduct violations at the College. (Exception: If the student is a victim of a crime, their history of conduct violations does not prevent the granting of Medical Assistance Amnesty.)

In cases where Medical Assistance Amnesty is granted, no violation of the code of student conduct will be recorded against the student. However, the College reserves the right to require a student to complete one or more educational programs in lieu of formal, judicial sanctioning. Failure to complete the required program(s) may result in the loss of Medical Assistance Amnesty in which case the College would proceed with formal charges against the student for the policy violation(s).

Safe Harbor

The College of Wooster believes that students with substance addictions or dependencies deserve the opportunity to seek assistance outside of the threat of drug tests or judicial sanctions without concern for charges of minor policy violations being filed through the student conduct process. Students who voluntarily seek assistance for themselves may be granted Safe Harbor. In consideration of the safety, health, and well-being of the student, the College reserves the right to require a student to complete one or more educational programs and/or to agree to a written action plan to address the addiction/dependency. Failure to complete the required educational programs and/or to follow the written action plan may nullify the Safe Harbor protection.