Amnesty Policy

Amnesty Policy from the Code of Conduct

A student will not face disciplinary action solely for the use or possession of alcohol or drugs if they, acting in good faith, reports an incident of sexual violence involving the use of alcohol or drugs, or calls for assistance related to a medical emergency involving alcohol or drugs. Such students may be required to participate in and complete educational expectations as determined by NCSSM. Repeated application of this amnesty policy by or on behalf of an individual student will be reviewed by the Charge Committee, which may take additional action.

Amnesty Policy & Procedures from the Student Handbook

NCSSM recognizes that the potential for disciplinary action may act as a barrier to students seeking support as a result of sexual violence or requesting medical assistance for themselves or other students in alcohol or drug-related emergencies. To this end, NCSSM maintains an amnesty policy for those students who, in good faith, either report an incident of sexual violence involving the use of drugs or alcohol or seek assistance for themselves or another due to an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency. In these incidents, the primary concern is the health, safety, and wellbeing of students.


Students seeking help for a medical emergency or following an assault, should ask a Community Coordinator for assistance. If alcohol or drug use is discovered by employees prior to a student requesting help, amnesty may not apply.


The charge committee, comprised of the Director of Campus Safety and Security, Director of Academic Programs, Director of Student Services, and the Assistant Director of Student Services will evaluate requests for amnesty using the following criteria:

  • When and how did the student request assistance
  • What were the details of the incident
  • How transparent was the student or students involved regarding the behavior
  • Has the student been involved in an incident and received amnesty previously
  • Has the student been involved in a similar incident without amnesty previously


If amnesty is applicable, students needing medical assistance during an alcohol or drug-related emergency will not face disciplinary action by NCSSM solely for the possession or use of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, students seeking medical assistance for another person during an alcohol or drug-related emergency will not face disciplinary action by NCSSM solely for the possession or use of alcohol or drugs. In order to receive medical amnesty, these individuals must comply with the educational expectations as determined by NCSSM. Students may be required to participate in drug or alcohol awareness programs (at their family’s expense), spend weekends at home, complete labor detail, or other sanctions deemed appropriate even if amnesty is granted.

Medical amnesty applies only to alcohol or drug-related medical emergencies and does not apply to other prohibited conduct such as assault, property damage, or distribution of illicit substances.


In the event of repeated incidents in which medical assistance is provided related to excessive use of alcohol or drugs, the availability of amnesty to the student is at the discretion of the Charge Committee.


Students who report experiencing or witnessing sexual violence will not face disciplinary action by NCSSM forpotential violations of NCSSM’s Code of Student Conduct related to the reported incident. They may be required to comply with educational expectations following the incident.