The Observer, February 9, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 16
USG proposes alcohol amnesty resolution
Currently, students are subject to judicial action from the university when seeking medical attention in alcohol-related emergencies. However, this could change if the Alcohol Amnesty resolution passed by USG is instituted by Case administration.
In late October of 2006, USG sent all undergraduates a survey designed to determine students' sentiment regarding the judicial process at Case. Students were asked whether they had been sanctioned by Case authority. If they answered 'yes,' they were asked more specific questions about their case, and for feedback concerning the judicial process.
Of those responding to the survey that were sanctioned by the university, 57.6 percent felt the judicial process was unfair and 50.6 percent felt that during the process they did not have an adequate chance to defend themselves.
As a result, USG appointed an ad-hoc committee, the Student Judicial Representative Committee, to look at the judicial process at Case. Last week the committee proposed an alcohol amnesty policy be instituted by Case for students seeking medical attention for themselves or others.
The idea for an alcohol amnesty policy came from the feedback in the survey.
Under the proposed alcohol amnesty policy, when a student calls for medical assistance and alcohol is involved, the student calling for medical assistance and those receiving medical assistance would have amnesty against sanctions from the university.
Students who received amnesty would be strongly encouraged to seek alcohol counseling or education programs. Those who do not utilize the counseling or education programs would not receive amnesty a second time.
"We think that's incentive enough for people to go through the process," said Saptarshi Basu, a member of the Student Judicial Representative Committee.
Amnesty would not be extended to those who committed other violations such as illicit drug use or physical or sexual assault.
General Assembly Resolution R. 16-08 was passed by USG; 30 to 0, with 1 abstention, and the resolution will be sent for further review to Interim President Gregory Eastwood; President-Elect Barbara Snyder; the board of trustees; Glenn Nicholls, VP for Student Affairs; and Sue Nickel-Schindewolf, Assistant VP for Student Affairs.
CaseEMS, The Office of Student Affairs, and The Office of Housing and Residence Life were named as sponsors of the resolution.
A similar amnesty policy had been under review by the Office of Student Affairs.
CaseEMS had proposed a similar policy in the past. However, their proposal was not passed.
"When drugs and alcohol are involved, not calling EMS to avoid getting into trouble could have serious or even fatal consequences," said Larissa Shnayder, Chief of CaseEMS.
"I cannot speak for the rest of the organization, but I personally believe that people act responsibly when they are given an opportunity to do so," said Shnayder.
The proposal could be implemented in two different ways. The resolution could be sent to the Faculty Senate to be reviewed and voted on or Nicholls could bypass this process by adding the policy to the student handbook.
Basu was hopeful that the alcohol amnesty policy would be employed by the Fall 2007 semester. However, he did recognize the proposal still faces obstacles. "We still do have some differences in the language between our proposal and Student Affairs which we have to resolve," he said.
An alcohol amnesty policy is not a unique proposition in America's collegiate system. Other universities – including Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Rice and Cornell – have policies similar to the one proposed. The USG resolution is based on the current policy at Emory.
Erin Sozanski, former Chief Justice of Martel College at Rice University supports Rice's current amnesty policy. "Students are very apprehensive to seek medical help if they know they are going to get in trouble for it, especially if they are calling on someone else's behalf," Sozanski said.
"I thought it was already an unspoken rule, but I'm glad students can get it [amnesty]," said freshman Rachel Taylor.
Informing the student body about the judicial process will be an important part of the Student Judicial Representative Committee's future agenda.
The committee is also looking into other areas of the judicial process at Case as suggested by the initial survey. The preponderance of evidence standard and appeal process are being reviewed.
