Medical Amnesty

The health and safety of Students are of primary importance to the University. Students are expected to take immediate action when a person’s health or safety is threatened. Medical Amnesty is designed to reduce barriers to Students taking immediate action for fear of being held responsible for alcohol or drug related Honor Code violations. Situations in which Medical Amnesty may apply include, but are not limited to, instances of physical injury, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, mental health concerns or other medical situations that occur in relation to alcohol consumption or drug use.

When a student undertakes an intentional action to seek assistance from a University Official or emergency services for themselves or others to protect their health and safety, the reporting Student(s) or at-risk Student(s) involved will not be found responsible for alcohol- or drug-related violations of the Honor Code, nor will alcohol or drug-related violations appear on their Student Rights & Responsibilities Record. During emergency conditions, the University may extend this Medical Amnesty to include violations of the University’s emergency conditions specific plans, protocols, procedures, and instructions as applicable.

It is the University's intent that Medical Amnesty extend to situations in which any Student makes a complaint or provides a statement to the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX in the course of an investigation or resolution pursuant to the University of Denver Title IX Sexual Harassment Procedures or the University of Denver General Discrimination & Harassment Procedures. However, Medical Amnesty does not extend to the distribution, sale or otherwise providing another individual with alcohol or drugs for the purposes of inducing incapacitation, as defined in those procedures.

The Students involved in instances of Medical Amnesty may be referred for an Educational Outcome or evaluation related to their health status or substance use. This referral will not constitute a reportable violation of the Honor Code. The University expects that Students will always prioritize their own and others’ health and safety. Moreover, this commitment does not preclude legal consequences or Alleged Policy Violations for non-alcohol or drug-related Honor Code violations related to the incident.

Campus Safety: 303-871-3000

When to Call for Help:

  • Someone is unresponsive or unconscious
  • They are cold, clammy, pale or have blotchy skin
  • Shallow or irregular breathing
  • Vomits multiple times, or vomits while sleeping
  • Unable to answer basic questions

Who is a University Official?

  • Resident Assistants (RAs)
  • Housing Front Desk Staff
  • Campus Safety Officers
  • Denver Police Department Paramedics