Good Samaritan Policy
The health and safety of UB students is always of our highest priority. However, students or others may be reluctant to get immediate medical or other professional assistance or provide it to others, because of concerns that their own behavior may be a violation of University at Buffalo rules or regulations. To minimize any hesitation students or student organizations may have in obtaining help for themselves or others due to these concerns, Judicial Affairs and Student Advocacy has developed the following "Good Samaritan" approach:
Although policy violations cannot be overlooked, the University will consider the positive impact of reporting an incident when determining the appropriate response for policy violations. In such cases, any possible negative consequences for the reporter of the problem should be evaluated against the possible negative consequences for the student who needed assistance in determining responsibility and/ or potential sanctions. At a minimum, students or student organizations should make an anonymous report by calling University Police at 645-2222 that would put the student in need in touch with professional helpers.
Examples where this approach would apply include:
- A student is reluctant to call an ambulance when a friend becomes unconscious following excessive consumption of alcohol because the reporting student is under the age of 21 and was also consuming alcohol.
- A student is reluctant to report that he/she has been sexually assaulted because he/she had been consuming alcohol and is under the age of 21.
- A student is reluctant to call an ambulance when another student becomes ill or unconscious following excessive consumption or alcohol at a fraternity/sorority or student organization party because the reporting student is afraid that his/her organization will get in trouble.
- A residence hall student is reluctant to call the RA on duty in a situation when their roommate is dangerously intoxicated because they were also violating the residence hall alcohol policy and fear they could face residence hall sanctions.
Questions or concerns about this policy can be directed to Elizabeth Lidano, Director, Office of Judicial Affairs & Student Advocacy.