Ithaca College

How did the MAP originate? The MAP was proposed by two student groups: SSDP (Students for a Sensible Drug Policy) and the SGA (Student Government Association). Meetings were held during 2009-10 involving students, staff, and administrators. In May, 2010, the MAP was approved and endorsed by the SGA, the President’s Council, and the Board of Trustees as a pilot program. The impact of the MAP will be periodically evaluated to determine whether it should become a permanent Ithaca College policy.

What is the purpose of the MAP? A survey at IC found that some students are reluctant to seek help in alcohol or drug-related emergencies because of fear of college judicial consequences. Since alcohol or drug overdose, poisoning, and misuse are potentially fatal, it is essential that medical assistance be called immediately if a concern exists.The purpose of the MAP is to reduce harm, and ultimately save lives, by encouraging students to seek assistance for their friends and themselves when a medical emergency arises due to the use of alcohol or other drugs.

How does the MAP work? The student who receives medical assistance related to alcohol or other drug use - and the student who summoned help - will not be sanctioned through the college judicial system, IF THE FOLLOWING APPLY: the student or a friend of the student calls to request medical assistance; the case has been approved for amnesty by the Office of Judicial Affairs; no other conduct violations (including combative or threatening behavior, vandalism, failure to show ID, or others) were committed by the student during the same incident; and the student completes a required educational follow-up in a timely manner.

How many medical amnesties can a student receive? The student needing assistance is eligible for medical amnesty only once. Repeated incidents will result in a higher level of intervention and possible sanctions. Callers are not limited to one amnesty.      

What does the “educational follow-up” entail? The follow-up will depend on the needs of the student involved. Most students will be required to complete IC BASICS, a two-session, individualized education program designed to help students explore their use of substances and identify changes to reduce their level of personal risk. IC BASICS is coordinated by the Center for Health Promotion in the Office of Counseling & Wellness. It is a free, nonjudgmental, and confidential program.

What if illegal drugs are involved? Medical amnesty applies to emergency situations involving all drugs. Both the student needing assistance and the one that called will receive amnesty, if all the conditions described above are met. However, the MAP does not supersede state and federal laws, so legal consequences may arise from illegal drug use. Legal, civil, or criminal consequences would be handled by the Office of Public Safety, the Ithaca Police Department, or the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.

What about alcohol or other drug emergencies that happen off campus? The MAP only provides amnesty under the campus judicial system. Since off-campus incidents typically do not fall under the College’s jurisdiction, medical amnesty would not apply.

For more information on the IC MAP, visit: www.ithaca.edu/sacl/healthpromotion/alcoholanddrugs/map/