The College will debut its revised "Good Samaritan" policy beginning Summer term, following Dean of the College James Larimore's recent approval of policy changes submitted late this Spring by the "Good Samaritan" working group.
The core of the amended policy will allow students an unlimited number of "Good Samaritan" calls. After a "Good Samaritan" call is placed and the ill student is treated, he or she will meet with his or her class dean and be given the option to choose a health-related response, such as education or counseling, in lieu of disciplinary consequences.
Larimore cited the focus on health and safety, rather than on punishment, as critical to broader student use of the policy. He added that he hoped it would encourage students to pace themselves while drinking and monitor each other.
"The idea central to this is to help students look out for each other in a better and more proactive way," Larimore said.
A large educational campaign publicizing the new "Good Samaritan" policy will occur during Fall term when the majority of students are on campus, Director of Undergraduate Judicial Affairs April Thompson said. Student members of the "Good Samaritan" committee will present the policy to the community through Greek houses, residence halls, First-Year orientation and student groups.
According to Thompson, talks would present the policy and its proper use.
"They would also be talking to people about how to avoid finding themselves in a situation where they need to call for help," Thompson said.
Although the committee opened their proposal to criticism, community members had no substantive recommendations, Thompson said. Community members, including students, administrators and members of the Committee on Standards and the Organizational Adjudication Committee were extremely satisfied with the policy language as it was proposed, she added. Thompson said she was particularly pleased with the response from COS and OAC members since they will actually implement the policy.
During the solicitation process some internal changes were recommended, such as how Dick's House could be more prepared for intoxicated students or how the community could be better educated about the intricacies of the policy.
"The most helpful feedback that we got was that the changes made helped clarify the policy and what 'Good Samaritan' meant," Thompson said.
Implementing the policy during Summer term could prove problematic considering Dick's House impatient care is closed for the term. Larimore proposed looking at other options such as establishing thresholds of intoxication for situations that require medical attention rather than just having another student watch over the inebriated student.
Larimore commended the working group for beating the ambitious month-long timeline he gave them, adding that it reflected how quickly the group came to a consensus.
"I think all of the individuals who were involved were the right people to have in the mix," he said.
Despite his optimism, Larimore said the campus drinking culture must evolve and dismiss the "myth" that some students feel it is "none of their business if someone drinks too much."
"What needs to happen is that people actually need to use [the 'Good Samaritan' policy]," Larimore said. "If anyone has been hesitant in picking up the phone and calling for help, what we hope to see is that they call if it is appropriate."
