EMORY DRUG, ALCOHOL POLICY HAS AMNESTY

While the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech both have taken recent
steps to crack down on campus drinking, Emory University is adopting a
policy that would protect students who seek emergency medical attention for
drugs or alcohol from facing disciplinary action.

Called "medical amnesty," the policy states that a student or organization
who seeks medical assistance during an alcohol or drug-related emergency
won't face formal jurisdiction from the school just for being in possession
or use of the substance.

"Our first concern is the safety and well-being of our students," said
Martin Howell, the assistant to the senior vice president for campus life.
"We don't want the fear of getting in trouble to stop them from making the
caring and compassionate choice."

Howell said an ad hoc committee of staff, students and faculty developed
the policy, which is similar to medical amnesty programs already in place
at other schools, including Cornell and Duke universities.

In the past, if a student sought help for alcohol or drug-related
emergencies, he or she could face sanctions from the school if turned in by
a resident adviser or fellow student. Students go before a judicial council
and can receive punishment ranging from a written reprimand to community
service.

The new policy does not exempt students from facing disciplinary actions
for other violations --- like assault or property damage --- if they
occurred during the same event.

Emory student Nicole Vasilaros, who serves as president of the
Intersorority Council, said medical amnesty takes tough decisions off
students' shoulders.

"This policy is not trying to promote drinking in any way," she said. "It
just helps people to not make unwise choices."

Howell said discussions are under way as to whether to implement a parental
notification system for students under 21. In 2003, the last year reported,
233 Emory students were referred for campus disciplinary action for alcohol
violations.

The University of Georgia recently approved a policy that allows school
officials to contact parents after a student under age 21 is found to have
violated the campus drug or alcohol policy for a second time. The school
also will call parents if there is significant property damage related to
alcohol or drug use, if a student's health or the health of others is in
danger, or if a student's behavior negatively affects the learning
environment at UGA.

President Michael Adams said the policy is an attempt to rein in escalating
problems associated with alcohol use by students. Adams said previously
that he is troubled by recent incidents, including one in December in which
a student was severely burned while playing a drinking game.

Kim Ellis, the associate dean of judicial services at UGA, said the school
does not have a medical amnesty policy.

"If they violate our alcohol policy, they can face sanctions," she said.
During the 2003-2004 school year, UGA investigated 533 students for alcohol
violations and found 373 to be in violation, she said. Those students
generally were placed on probation and performed community service, Ellis
said. It's rare that a student would be suspended or expelled for alcohol
violations, she said.

Georgia Tech imposed a parental notification policy in fall 2000. That
policy allows the university to call parents when a student under 21
violates campus policies on alcohol and drugs, when students endanger
themselves or others, or when the dean of students determines that future
violations likely would result in a student's being removed from campus
housing or expelled from school.