The health and safety of members of the Georgia Tech community are the primary concerns of the Institute. We are committed to ensuring that students obtain timely medical assistance for themselves and their peers. To this end, we have instituted this Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Provision to ensure that students do not delay seeking medical assistance for fear of disciplinary action by the Institute.
Students are expected to inform Institute offices, Georgia Tech Police, or local/law enforcement/first responders when someone’s health or safety is at risk. No formal Institute disciplinary actions or sanctions will be imposed for violations of Institute rules regarding alcohol or drug use by the reporting student(s). However, individuals may be provided with resources on drug and alcohol counseling and/or education, as appropriate. Such education or treatment may include, but is not limited to: seminars, programs, assessments, or individual counseling. Failure to complete recommended follow-up education, assessment, and/or treatment may result in disciplinary action and/or recommendation for a withdrawal from the Institute.
This Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Provision applies to:
- Any student or student organization who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance from appropriate Institute personnel, local law enforcement, or first responders for another individual whose health or safety is at risk; and
- Any student whose health or safety is at risk, and who in good faith, seeks medical assistance for themselves.
Individuals are encouraged to come forward and report sexual misconduct, even if they chose to consume alcohol or use drugs. Information reported by an individual during an investigation concerning use of drugs or alcohol will not be used against that individual in a disciplinary proceeding.
The Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Provision does not excuse or protect individuals or students that repeatedly and deliberately violate Institute policy. It should be noted that this provision does not preclude the Institute or other appropriate authorities from taking disciplinary action for other Institute policy violations (i.e. vandalism, physical violence, or harassment), nor does this policy exempt students from any criminal or other legal proceedings associated with the use of alcohol and/or drugs.
Institute officials serving as Student Conduct Administrator or Housing Conduct Administrator will make the determination as to whether or not, based on the totality of the circumstances, this Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Provision will be applied in each case. A record of the use of this provision will be retained by the Office of Student Integrity and Department of Housing for 5 years after the end of the student’s career at the Institute per USG and Institute policy, but will not be added to the Good Samaritan’s disciplinary file.