Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and life threatening medical emergency that results from drinking a harmful amount of alcohol. Both students who choose to drink and those who choose not to drink may encounter alcohol emergencies during their time at UT. Sometimes students are afraid to seek emergency medical care when alcohol poisoning is suspected because they do not want to get themselves or others in trouble. In order to encourage students to seek emergency medical care, the University has instituted Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies.

What is Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies?

Amnesty means current UT students can avoid formal University disciplinary action and the creation of a formal disciplinary record when they call for help for an alcohol medical emergency.

Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies applies in the case of the following:

Possession of alcohol by a minor

Unauthorized possession or use of alcohol on campus

Consumption of alcohol by a minor

Intoxication as the result of using alcohol

Who is it for?

Amnesty may be granted to the UT student(s) calling for help, as well as the student who is experiencing the medical emergency.

Who grants Amnesty?

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity deems students appropriate for amnesty when they are referred for alcohol-related incidents.

How does it work?

Student(s) calls 911 when alcohol poisoning is present or suspected. Student(s) stay with the person and cooperates with all emergency personnel.

Students will be referred to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.

Student(s) will be evaluated for Amnesty by Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.

Students eligible for Amnesty will still be required to participate in an educational component and may be referred for an individual consultation, however they will not face formal disciplinary action.

Students who receive Amnesty who decline or fail to attend the educational component or fail to comply with the counselor's recommendations will become subject to formal disciplinary action.

There are limitations to this program and inclusion in the program is not automatic.

This program is separate, but in congruence with, the state amnesty policy, Senate Bill 1331 (Texas 911 Lifeline legislation), which provides amnesty against criminal citations for those seeking medical attention as the result of an illegal action, such as minor in consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor. Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies provides protection against formal disciplinary action by the University, whereas the Texas 911 Lifeline legislation provides protection against legal action.