Your safety and the safety of the people around you is our number one priority. Whether you’re at a student organization’s event held off-campus or at an unaffiliated event, you might feel hesitant to call for help in alcohol or drug related cases because you’re worried about the consequences for you and your friends. In cases like these, it’s always better to think of safety first and call for help. Northwestern University honors Amnesty Through Responsible Action in order to encourage students to be safe and take responsible action when necessary.
So what exactly is amnesty, and what do you need to do to qualify?
In situations where you feel that any student near you is in a state of intoxication or impairment that requires immediate assistance, you can receive amnesty as long as you follow the steps below:
1) CALL
In cases of medical emergency, you should immediately call 911, whether the situation is taking place either on or off campus. You can also activate a campus blue light. In cases of non-medical emergencies, contact NUPD or the Residential Assistant (RA) on duty.
2) STAY
After placing the relevant call, stay with the person who you’re calling on behalf of. Stay by their side continuously and assist them in any way that you can. When help arrives, wait until you’re told that your help is no longer needed.
3) COOPERATE
Cooperation means that you comply with any requests the responding staff or medical personnel ask of you. That includes providing additional information about the safety concern and contact information, such as your name and ID number.
The responding party at the scene will fully record the details of the incident and pass that information along to the University for appropriate follow up. If you’re concerned about anyone in any setting and you call, stay, and cooperate, there will likely be no conduct record.
Keep in mind that safety is the most important thing. If a situation ever arrives where you see your friend or a stranger in danger, use amnesty to ensure the safety of your friend and yourself.