Amnesty at UNT

What does it mean?

Under the UNT Code of Student Conduct, the University may not take disciplinary action against a student for the student's own misconduct that occurs at or near the time of a reported incident when the student:

  1. Was the victim of, or witness to, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking;
  2. Reports suspected misconduct by another individual and the report is made solely to protect another's health, safety, or welfare.

Texas 911 Lifeline legislation

PROTECTION AGAINT LEGAL ACTIONS

State Amnesty policy Senate Bill 1331 (Texas 911 Lifeline legislation), provides amnesty against criminal citations for those seeking medical attention as the result of an illegal action, such as minor consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor.


The Jessica Sosa Act, HB1694

DEFENSE AGAINT LEGAL ACTIONS

HB1694, aka The Jessica Sosa Act or Texas Bystander Law, aims to prevent overdose deaths by providing defense from prosecution for people who call 911 to help a person who possibly overdosed. This is not available for people who have previous convictions under certain drug laws or who have used this defense before. This law does not provide full immunity from liability.


Limitations of Amnesty @ UNT

UNT Amnesty program refers to the disciplinary processes at the University of North Texas pertaining to the Student Code of Conduct. This program has no bearing on any criminal or legal proceedings.

How does it work?


SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

With a Dean of Students Representative
Call: 940-565-2039
Email: conduct.dos@unt.edu

REPORT YOUR CONCERNS

Report your concerns during the conversation with the DOS Representative for Amnesty.

Make a report
  

Alcohol/Drug Overdose Emergency! What should I do?


Phone icon

CALL

Call First Responders (911) immediately when you see the signs of alcohol poisoning or drug overdose even if you are not sure.

Human icon

STAY

Stay with the person having the signs and monitor their condition.

Hand holding medical cross symbol

HELP

Use the Recovery Position: Gently turn the person on their side, bending one knee to stabilize and place their arms under the head to prop it up. This helps to facilitate breathing and avoid choking should the person vomit. If opiod overdose is suspected, let the medical personnel know. If opioid overdose is expected, use naloxone if available.

Two speech bubbles conversing with one another

ANSWER

Cooperate with all emergency personnel.

STEP 1

Student bystander calls 911 when an overdose is present or suspected. They stay with the person who may need assistance and cooperated with all emergency personnel.

STEP 2

Student bystander will be referred to Dean of Students Office

STEP 3

Students will be evaluated for Amnesty by a Dean of Students Representative

Scrappy poses with Counseling and Testing service's therapy dog, Buddy

COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICES

Counseling and Testing Services, located in Chestnut Hall, suite 311, provides comprehensive psychological services to all UNT students.
To contact Call:
940-565-2741.

Students pose after claiming victory at the scrappy games

RISE CENTER

The RISE (Recovery & Intervention Support & Education) Center, located in Chestnut Hall suite 301, is a student support office that provides resources for students seeking information about substance use and mental health recovery

To contact Call:
(940) 565-3177

UNT officers bike past large UNT letters

UNT POLICE

UNT PD has jurisdiction within the UNT campus, city of Denton, and any county where UNT maintains property.

To contact Call:
(940) 565-3000

Two hands reach out to each other in the sky

SURVIVOR ADVOCACY

UNT Survivor Advocates exist to support student who have been impacted by sexual or relational violence, trauma, or harrassment, and connects students to resources.
To contact Call:
(940) 565-2648.

Who grants Amnesty?

The Dean of Students Representative evaluates and deems students appropriate for amnesty when they are referred.

Amnesty will be granted only when the Dean of Students Representative determines the report is made in good faith. A good faith report occurs when the reporting student reasonably believes that the report of misconduct is trueand it is made without malice.

Amnesty will not be granted to a reporting student for the student’s own participation in an act of, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.

 

When can you get Amnesty?

AMNESTY APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING UNT CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT CHARGES

If you report suspected misconduct by another individual and the report is made solely to protect another’s health, safety, or welfare.

 

Sexual Misconduct

Amnesty will be granted to students who may have violated the Student Code of Conduct at the time of an incident when they became a victim or a witness to sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.

Alcohol and Drug Violations

Amnesty may be granted to students who report alcohol and drug violations to protect another's health, safety, or welfare. Alcohol poisoning and drug overdose are serious and life threatening medical emergencies. Students may encounter this type of emergency during their time at UNT. Students should not be afraid to seek emergency medical care when alcohol poisoning or drug overdose is suspected because they do not want to get themselves or others in trouble. Emergencies include but are not limited to alcohol/drug-related overdose, violence, or injuries.

Hazing

When any student acts in good faith to report an activity that violates the University’s hazing policy and actively seeks assistance for themselves or another student, the Dean of Students Office will not pursue conduct charges against that student for violations of the Hazing Policy.

A student utilizing this protocol during or immediately after an act of hazing has occurred must provide active assistance to a student in need report the hazing incident to the Dean of Students Office immediately and provide complete and truthful information about the situation.

 


Amnesty for Drugs & Alcohol

APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING UNT CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT CHARGES

Under the UNT Code of Student Conduct, the University may not take disciplinary action against a student for the student's own misconduct that occurs at or near the time of a reported incident when the student:

  • Possession of alcohol or drugs by a minor (Minor In Possession).
  • Consumption of alcohol by a minor (Minor In Consumption).
  • Unauthorized possession or use of alcohol or drugs on campus.
  • Use of drugs.
  • Intoxication as a result of using alcohol (including Public Intoxication).
  • Amnesty may not be provided in the case of repeated incidents or more serious offenses.
 

Alcohol/Drug Overdose Emergency! What should I do?


Phone icon

CALL

Call First Responders (911) immediately when you see the signs of alcohol poisoning or drug overdose even if you are not sure.

Human icon

STAY

Stay with the person having the signs and monitor their condition.

Hand holding medical cross symbol

HELP

Use the Recovery Position: Gently turn the person on their side, bending one knee to stabilize and place their arms under the head to prop it up. This helps to facilitate breathing and avoid choking should the person vomit. If opiod overdose is suspected, let the medical personnel know. If opioid overdose is expected, use naloxone if available.

Two speech bubbles conversing with one another

ANSWER

Cooperate with all emergency personnel.


Signs of an Overdose

  • Depressant Overdose
    • Shallow breathing
    • Snoring/gurgling sounds
    • (a person's airway is obstructed)
    • Blue lips or fingertips
    • Floppy arms and legs
    • No response to stimulus
    • Disorientation
    • Unconsciousness (cannot be woken up)
    • Vomiting
  • Stimulant Overdose
    • Chest Pain
    • Disorientation/Confusion
    • Severe Headaches
    • Seizures
    • High temperature (overheating, but not sweating)
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Agitation and paranoia
    • Hallucinations
    • Unconsciousness
    • Vomiting
  • Mixed-substance Overdose
    • Can include any of the above symptoms
    • Are more likely to occur when mixing because the effects of both substances are increased, and there is greater strain on the body.
Amnesty Program PDF


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