At DePaul University, the health, safety, and welfare of our students and community are paramount concerns. DePaul hopes that students will alert appropriate officials in the event of any health or safety emergency, specifically including those involving the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, even if violations of University policies may have occurred in connection with such an emergency. DePaul expects that students will, to the degree safe and appropriate, be active bystanders in situations where a fellow community member may need help.
Because the University understands that fear of possible disciplinary actions may deter requests for emergency assistance, the University has adopted the following protocol to alleviate such concerns and promote responsible action on the part of students.
In a situation involving imminent threat or danger to the health or safety of any individual(s), students are urged to:
- contact emergency officials by calling Public Safety or 911 to report the incident,
- to remain with the individual(s) needing emergency treatment and cooperate with emergency officials, so long as it is safe to do so, and
- meet with appropriate University officials after the incident and cooperate with any University investigation.
The University will consider the positive impact of taking responsible action in an emergency situation when determining the appropriate response for alleged policy violations that may have occurred prior to or contemporaneously with the emergency notification.
Additionally, students who report in good-faith a violation of another University policy will not generally be subject to sanctions through the Student Conduct Process related to conduct that is revealed in the course of making the report. For example, a student who reports sexual or relationship violence will not generally be subject to sanctions through the Student Conduct Process related to attendant violations related to drug or alcohol use.
Notwithstanding the above, a student may be held responsible for egregious policy violations or policy violations that create a health or safety risk. This could include conduct such as physical violence, hazing, vandalism, harassment, or in instances where multiple individuals require medical attention.
Additionally, this protocol does not preclude or prevent action by Public Safety, police, or other legal authorities.
Although no sanctions will be imposed through the Student Conduct Process, the incident will be documented and educational interventions may be required as a condition of deferring disciplinary actions or sanctions. Contact with a student’s emergency contact may be made at the time of the incident if medical transport of the reporting party is deemed appropriate.