Page 38 - Illinois Tech Student Handbook 2022-23

of the Code of Conduct are also violations of the law, students may be accountable to both law enforcement agencies and Illinois Tech for their actions. Illinois Tech’s student discipline process will normally proceed notwithstanding any external civil or criminal proceeding.
1. Amnesty Policy
In an effort to encourage students to help one another by contacting the appropriate administrative department or authority in critical situations (Public Safety, Residence Life, Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Student Health & Wellness Center) or 911 Emergency Assistance, a student who seeks assistance for another student, who is experiencing a drug or alcohol emergency, will generally not be subject to disciplinary action by the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. This provision applies only to individuals, not organizations. To be clear, this policy is not meant to promote unlawful drug or alcohol use among students. Rather, it is intended to provide a provision within the Code of Conduct to encourage responsible reporting to an appropriate authority when a student is in need of help. Accordingly, it is expected that any reporting will be done in good faith. Amnesty matters will be determined by the Dean of Students or designee.
a. Applicability
The Amnesty Policy acknowledges that as members of this community, students have a responsibility to each other. Therefore, students should directly seek medical assistance for another person (or for themselves) during an alcohol or other drug-related emergency. In such an instance, the student who seeks medical assistance will not face disciplinary action for the mere possession or use of alcohol or drugs, if they remain with the individual until medical assistance arrives and the person can be assisted. In order to qualify under the Policy, the student, after securing medical assistance, must also contact the appropriate administrative department or authority. Depending on the facts and circumstances, a student who seeks medical assistance for another may be required to meet with a member of the Student Affairs staff and/or a counselor. As long as the student complies with all directives, they will not face disciplinary actions for the mere possession or use of alcohol and/or drug; failure to comply can result in the revocation of the amnesty and referral to the normal disciplinary process.
b. Limits of the Amnesty Policy
The Amnesty Policy applies only to alcohol or other drug-related medical emergencies but does not apply to other prohibited conduct under the Code of Conduct. If other prohibited conduct occurs, then a student can be charged with a violation of the Code of Conduct. The use and/or abuse of alcohol or drugs will not be considered a mitigating circumstance for any other violation of this Code of Conduct. In cases where an individual fails to seek emergency medical assistance when it is clearly needed, disciplinary action may be taken against the individual.
Reporting pursuant to the Amnesty Policy will be monitored, and the Dean of Students retains the authority to pursue, in accordance with the Code of Conduct and applicable law, disciplinary action against and/or contact the parents of the students who abuse it.
The Amnesty Policy applies only to Illinois Tech’s response to a medical emergency. Criminal/police action may still occur separately from the Dean of Students office.
2. Complaints
Anyone – student, staff member, faculty member or non-Illinois Tech individual – may initiate a complaint under the Code of Conduct against an admitted or enrolled student for misconduct. (A complaint may also take the form of an Illinois Tech Department of Public Safety Incident Report regarding student conduct.) Complaints must be in writing and may be filed at http://www.iit.edu/incidentreport or with any of the following offices:
Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs; Office of Residence Life;
Office of Community Standards;
Public Safety; or
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