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Good Samaritan Practice

The health and safety of students is a paramount concern to everyone at Monmouth University. Resources such as the University Police Department, the Office of Residential Life, and the Health Center are available for students to seek assistance for themselves and, equally as important, for their fellow students. Recognizing there are times when students or members of a University organization find themselves in a position where medical assistance is needed to ensure the proper care of a person who is significantly intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, the University has established this Good Samaritan Practice.

The practice has been established to ensure that proper medical assistance and intervention is sought in these instances and not delayed for fear of punitive action by the University under the Student Code of Conduct. All students are expected to act first out of concern for themselves and others by contacting appropriate University personnel—such as a resident assistant (RA), a residential life administrator, an area coordinator or the University Police—to obtain emergency assistance.

HOW THE PRACTICE WORKS

  • Students and/or organizations that seek assistance from the University, or the police or medical authorities, to address a situation involving a significantly intoxicated or under the influence individual(s) will not be charged with a violation of the University’s alcohol and/or drug policy.
  • The practice applies to both the caller and the subject of the call if they are under the legal drinking age to consume alcohol.
  • The practice does not, however, preclude the University or other appropriate authorities from taking disciplinary action for other Student Code of Conduct offenses that may be associated with the situation—such as vandalism, theft, physical or sexual assault, etc.—or the University Police Department from filing appropriate criminal charges.
  • Individuals and/or organizations involved in a situation that falls under the Good Samaritan Practice will be required to complete certain educational and counseling initiatives, which are intervention- and prevention-based. Failure to complete these activities would result in action under the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Students and/or organizations that demonstrate a consistent and repeated pattern of such behavior, after appropriate intervention and education has been provided, will not be considered under this practice.

As one community we all have an obligation to help friends and peers strive to be their best. Similarly, students are also expected to look out for one another when a friend is going through a difficult period in their life, or when he or she makes a poor decision involving drugs or alcohol.

The Good Samaritan Practice is based on this principle of responsibility for self and others. Responsible choices must be made but when you or someone you know needs help, the Good Samaritan Practice is there to help you.