Amnesty Policy
Amnesty Policy
Policy Number:
STSV_0006
Policy Statement
The purpose of this policy is to promote good health and safety of every student at
Garden City Community College. In general, the Amnesty & Good Samaritan Policy only
applies for an initial Alcohol or Drug Policy violation, as it is the expectation
of GCCC that students learn from previous behaviors involving alcohol or other drugs
and avoid such situations in the future. Therefore, if a student was previously responsible
for an Alcohol or Drug Policy violation or previously was covered by the Amnesty &
Good Samaritan Policy, the applicability of the Amnesty & Good Samaritan Policy for
subsequent incidents is at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Services
(or designee).
Procedures
Garden City Community College students seeking immediate medical assistance on behalf
of persons experiencing alcohol- or drug-related emergencies, to the GCCC Student
Health Nurse, hospital, Campus Police or the Garden City Police Department will not
be sanctioned for violations of GCCC Student Code of Conduct and/or Student Housing
drug- or alcohol-related policies. Repeat incidents of a student requiring medical
assistance under this amnesty policy may be subject to disciplinary action under College
Code of Conduct and/or Student Housing policies.
Furthermore, the College recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using
drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that violence, including
but not limited to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault
occurs may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences
for their own conduct. The College strongly encourages students to report domestic
violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to College officials. A bystander
acting in good faith or a reporting individual (complainant) acting in good faith
that discloses any incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual
assault to Garden City Community College officials, Campus Police, or the Garden City
Police Department or St. Catherine Hospital will not be subject to GCCC Student Code
of Conduct action for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at
or near the time of the commission of the domestic violence, dating violence, stalking,
or sexual assault.
Note that student clubs, teams, and organizations, through their officers and members,
are also expected to take responsible action in emergency situations. A group’s adherence
to the aforementioned steps will be considered a mitigating factor when determining
the outcome or sanction of an incident that merits disciplinary action. Conversely,
the College will consider the failure to seek assistance by members of the student
group as a factor when determining the appropriateness of any such disciplinary action.
The Amnesty protocol applies to straightforward cases of alcohol or other drug-related
emergencies. The Amnesty protocol does not excuse co-occurring student code of conduct
infractions or other incidents related or unrelated to the medical emergency.
Consistent with putting the student’s health first, the College will approach repeated
incidents as a serious health risk. While Amnesty from the conduct may be applied,
a meeting with the Vice President of Student Services and possible notification to
parents or guardians may also result. Repeated violations could result in possible
sanctions that range from written warning, suspension and/or expulsion/termination
from Garden City Community College.
Contacts
Vice President for Administrative Services
Policy History
June 26, 2026: Revised to include policy number
November 18, 2024: Revised Format for Accessibility
October 14, 2019: Date of Approval