Amnesty Frequently Asked Questions

In serious or life-threatening situations, particularly where alcohol poisoning or drug overdose is suspected or where other medical treatment is reasonably believed to be appropriate, students should take the following steps:

• SEEK Help: Call 9-1-1 (or FSU Police Department if on campus: 850-644-1234).
• STAY: Remain with the person needing assistance until emergency responders arrive.
• SHARE: Provide emergency responders with as much information as possible including the amount/dose of substances consumed.

Letting a person who is heavily intoxicated or is incapacitated “sleep it off” or having someone “look after” that person are not reasonable alternatives to getting them the necessary medical help.

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The following next steps outline the process after medical help is provided to a student in need of medical attention as a result of alcohol and/or drug use:

If the situation qualifies, students are required to meet with a professional staff in Student Conduct and Community Standards or University Housing. The staff member, after evaluating the situation, will determine appropriate educational actions for the student per the University’s Alcohol and Other Drug policy. These educational actions are required to be completed and paid for by the student. Actions may include- but are not limited to:

• parental notification
• an alcohol education workshop
• meeting with an alcohol and other drug counselor
• written project

Students who fail to complete the above requirements in their entirety may be subject to additional requirements or may face the possibility of student conduct action.
If it is determined, independent of the call for assistance, that a violation or violations of the Student Conduct Code have occurred, students involved in the incident may be charged with those violations.

No. Amnesty only applies to code violations in the FSU Student Code of Conduct, Residence Life/Housing Code and policies, and Fraternity & Sorority Life and RSO policies. It does not prevent or preclude police or other legal actions.

Other prohibited behavior (including but not limited to distribution of illegal substances, harassment, physical misconduct, sexual misconduct and hazing). However, other prohibited conduct should not be a barrier for reporting emergencies and getting help.

If a registered student is transported to an emergency medical treatment center for any reason, the student’s parents or guardians may be notified by a university official if necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

No. Amnesty incidents will not be entered on the student’s official academic record and will not be listed as a disciplinary record.

No. Students are encouraged to look after their friends and peers and to take responsible action anytime necessary! However, if a student is involved in repeat alcohol and/or drug abuse incidents, measures will be taken to appropriately address the behavior accordingly:

1. The situation will be evaluated by Student Conduct and Community Standards or University Housing to determine if the student qualifies for Amnesty.
2. The availability of Amnesty for students with repetitive violations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
3. Situations will be handled through the Student Conduct process and will be considered for outcome purposes if a student does not demonstrate a commitment to the steps recommended by the health care professional and is involved in repetitive alcohol and/or drug abuse incidents.

Alcohol poisoning is another term for an alcohol overdose, which may occur when individuals consume so much alcohol that their bodies can no longer process it fast enough. Alcohol poisoning and overdoses are potentially lethal; the human body simply cannot tolerate or process excessive amounts of alcohol. Too many college students have died as a result of alcohol poisoning.

The signs or symptoms of alcohol poisoning include (not all of these need to be present):

• Confusion or stupor
• Vomiting while passed out, not waking up after vomiting, or incoherent while vomiting
• Seizures
• Breathing is slow (less than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular, with 10 seconds or more between breaths
• Weak pulse, very rapid pulse, or very slow pulse
• Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
• Loss of consciousness: Inability to awaken a person with loud shouting, or inability of a person to remain awake for more than 2-3 minutes or to carry on a coherent conversation when awake (semi-conscious)
• A person who has lost consciousness and cannot be awakened is in danger of dying. Help is needed immediately.

1. Do not leave the person alone.
2. Seek help and call 9 1 1 (or FSU Police Department if on campus at 850-644-1234)
3. If you are in a residence hall on campus, send someone to notify University Housing staff at the front desk in the building.
4. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.
5. Be prepared to give the emergency medical personnel as much information as possible including the amount and type of alcohol or substances consumed.

• Do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. The person’s life is in danger. Better to be safe than sorry.
• Do not leave the person alone, even if they seem to be okay (the alcohol ingested may take some time to be absorbed before peak levels are reached in the brain).
• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
• Do not put the person in a cold shower (they could fall or pass out from shock). Do not let them “sleep it off” or task someone with “taking care” of the person.