Good Samaritan Policy

Updated September 26, 2022

The safety and health of our students is our primary concern. Alcohol intoxication requiring medical attention is considered a health issue, therefore, the primary Institute response is a medical one. Caltech acknowledges that there may be times when students may face medical emergencies involving excessive drinking and/or drug use. In these situations, it is the immediate obligation of those in the presence of a severely intoxicated person to seek help. In order to encourage students to seek prompt and appropriate attention for alcohol or any other drug intoxication, where a student clearly sought help for themselves or another student due to excessive alcohol or other drug consumption, the matter ordinarily will not result in disciplinary action unless there are circumstances indicating repeated or egregious violations of the Substance Abuse policy, a violation of another Institute policy, or where the student's conduct placed the health or safety of any other person at risk. Failure to call for assistance will be considered an especially serious violation of policy. Students may be required to participate in educational discussions designed to help prevent future safety risks.

This policy is applicable to a student requesting medical assistance for themselves, a student seeking medical assistance for another person, and the student for whom the medical assistance was sought.

Amnesty for Students Who Report Sexual Misconduct:
A student who participates as a complainant or witness in an investigation of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking will not be subject to disciplinary sanctions for a violation of Caltech's student conduct policies, including but not limited to the Substance Abuse Policy, at or near the time of the incident, unless Caltech determines that the violation was egregious, including but not limited to, an action that places the health or safety of any other person at risk or involves plagiarism, cheating or academic dishonesty.