University Senate passes amnesty bill

The GCSU University Senate unanimously passed a new student amnesty policy March 29.

During the session, no senator verbally showed disagreement with the policy.

“(GCSU is) more concerned with students seeking treatment than prosecuting them,” said Student Affairs Policy Committee Chair Macon McGinley.

While the policy appears to positively affect students, the language in the policy has been an unwritten rule GCSU has been following.

“We have told students at the Week of Welcome about this, but it has never been formally documented,” said Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Bruce Harshbarger.

The unwritten rule has been in effect for about six to eight years but now is a “good time to have it in writing,” Harshbarger said.

Some students feel this policy being passed shows that the university is putting student safety first.

“(The policy) is good because I would rather have people seek help than fear punishment,” said freshman political science major Lauren Crapo.

Having the policy formally written down ensures more protection for students.

“(This policy) is positive (for students). Not really any negatives,” said Wesley Chaffin, a sophomore political science major. “It is a good idea to get it down on paper.”

SAPC reviewed a second draft of the policy Feb. 5. The committee agreed on the name “Student Amnesty Policy” over “Good Samaritan Policy.” Other issues about maintaining consistency within the policy with previously passed policies were addressed. After deliberations, the committee voted unanimously to place the policy on the docket for the March 29 meeting.

Under the policy, it’s advantageous to seek help rather than trying to hide the fact.

“This policy applies only to those students or organizations who seek emergency medical assistance in connection with an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency and does not apply to individuals experiencing an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency who are found by university employees. (i.e. University Police, faculty, administrative staff, residence hall staff),” according to the policy.

This policy prevents students from getting in trouble by the university when students need medical attention. Some examples include alcohol poisoning and sexual or physical assault. However, the policy does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil or legal transgressions for violations of federal, state or local law, according to the policy.

The policy addresses the notion that the policy could be abused. For students who repeatedly infringe upon the Code of Conduct, GCSU reserves the right to take action, according to the policy.

Note: Macon McGinley is the faculty advisor for The Colonnade.

Posted by Matt Rogers on Apr 2 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry