What happens after I call? How does the policy work?

Answer: 

Let’s say a student is transported by ambulance to the emergency room from a party after other students call for help.  Here’s what would happen:

  • For the transported student: The student will receive an email from the residential college dean, who will write to make sure the student is okay, and to schedule a conversation about what happened, safety, and other concerns.  The student will also be required to consult with someone at Yale Health who specializes in alcohol and other drug issues.
  • For the students who called for help: These students will be thanked for taking the right action.   However, if evidence suggests that they bear some responsibility for the transported student’s medical emergency—e.g., by having supplied their friend with excessive alcohol during a pregame—they must work with the Alcohol and Other Drugs Harm-Reduction Initiative (AODHRI) to eliminate risky practices.
  • For the party hosts: The party hosts will have a conversation with a staff member from AODHRI to discuss the circumstances of the transport.  If evidence suggests that the hosts were following safe practices, and that they do not bear responsibility for the transported student’s medical emergency, they will not have to complete any training.  But if the hosts did contribute to the emergency, or if evidence suggests that the hosts were engaged in other risky practices, they will be required to work with AODHRI to develop better practices.

Assuming that each of these students or student groups fulfills any health or educational requirements in a timely fashion, there will be no disciplinary action against them.