WEST LAFAYETTE - Purdue announced an interim policy Tuesday, assuring students they will not get in trouble if they seek help for an intoxicated student.
The policy, called "Purdue CARES," is similar to those of nearly 100 colleges and universities nationwide. Under the new policy, the university will not discipline students "if they seek medical assistance when they or someone they help is intoxicated."
The Purdue Student Government researched the initiative for a year. It will remain interim until after its recommendations are forwarded this fall.
"PurdueCARES complements our AlcoholEdu initiative, an online tutorial new this fall to educate incoming students and student leaders about the damaging effects of alcohol," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "Together, they form a comprehensive policy that addresses education and safety."
In its current form, the policy states:
"In cases of student intoxication and/or alcohol poisoning that occur on the West Lafayette campus, on the premises of a recognized student organization or at a function sponsored by a recognized student organization, the intoxicated student, as well as the student(s) seeking medical attention on the intoxicated student's behalf, will be exempt from disciplinary sanction related to alcohol consumption."
If evidence exists to suggest they violated Indiana laws or university regulations, student organizations would not be not exempt from discipline, but the policy states that "the willingness of the members involved to seek medical assistance for a member or a guest will be viewed as a mitigating factor in determining a sanction for any violations of university regulations."
Purdue Chief of Police John Cox said his department has the students' best interest at heart.
"Police cannot and will not ignore violations of state law," Cox said. "Our hope is that students, intoxicated or not, will now put a higher priority on calling for medical assistance. One of the primary focuses of Purdue police officers and Purdue Fire department emergency medical technicians is to help our students."
The policy is in effect for the West Lafayette campus.
