IC MAP

The Ithaca College Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP) is intended to encourage students to seek medical assistance related to drug and alcohol emergencies without worrying about student conduct consequences. The policy has been endorsed by the IC Student Governance Council (SGC), Residential Life,  the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the Office of Public Safety.

The student who receives medical assistance - and the student who summoned help - will not be sanctioned through IC's student conduct system if the following apply:

  • A student (or guest) calls to request medical assistance on behalf of another student.
  • The case has been approved for amnesty by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
  • No other conduct violations (such as disorderly conduct) were committed by the student during the same incident.
  • The student completes the IC BASICS Program or other required educational follow-up in a timely manner.

For more information on our MAP policy and protocol, please contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at (607) 274-3375 or by email at conduct@ithaca.edu.

New York State 911 Good Samaritan Law

On July 20, 2011, Governor Cuomo signed a “Good Samaritan” law, designed to encourage individuals to call 911 for help in an alcohol or other drug emergency. The law is supported by the Tompkins County District Attorney and the City of Ithaca. It is especially beneficial to IC students living off campus, as it applies statewide, whereas IC's Medical Amnesty Policy (IC MAP) only applies on campus. NYS amnesty should result in more IC students calling for help in off-campus locations.

There are approximately 75,000 alcohol-associated deaths per year in the U.S.; and unintentional drug overdose deaths are increasing at an alarming rate (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-CDC). Most accidental drug or alcohol overdose deaths are preventable if emergency services are contacted immediately.

The primary reason people do not call 911 in the event of an overdose is fear of getting arrested. The new law protects people (those who witness an overdose, those who suffer one, and those who call 911) from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted for drug or paraphernalia possession or under-age alcohol possession. The new law does not protect against arrest, charge, or prosecution for other offenses, such as drug trafficking.

How To Handle Medical Emergencies Involving Alcohol or Other Drugs

Call for help when:

• Someone cannot be roused with shouting or vigorous shaking or cannot be roused for more
than 2-3 minutes at a time. Passing out IS an alcohol emergency.

• Someone vomits while being passed out, does not wake up after vomiting, or is incoherent while vomiting.

• Breathing is irregular or slow, or there is a lapse in breathing.

• Pulse is weak, very rapid, or very slow.

• Skin is cold, clammy, or bluish.

• You have ANY concerns regarding a person’s safety.

What to do:
• Keep the person awake – Do not let them
  "sleep it off."

• Stay with the person until help arrives.

• Turn the person on his/her side to prevent
  choking if the person vomits.

• Be prepared to give the emergency medical
   personnel as much information as possible,
   including any drugs or medications taken.

What NOT to do:


• Do not leave the person alone. The alcohol

  may take some time to be absorbed before
  peak levels are reached in the brain.

• Do not leave the person lying on their back.

• Do not try to give the person anything to
   eat or drink.

• Do not put the person in a cold shower
  They could fall or pass out from the shock.