At least 14 Ohio University students were sent to the hospital last quarter for alcohol-related emergencies, but a university diversion program helped keep the offense off their record.
The university's Medical Emergency Assistance program, launched in 2008, offers students one exemption from tainting their judicial records if they seek medical assistance for an alcohol- or drug-related offense, said Char Kopchick, OU's assistant dean of students for campus involvement.
The goal is students helping students
she said.
A 2007 campus involvement survey alerted university officials to the need for such a program after 94 percent of students surveyed said they would not call for help in a medical emergency involving alcohol or other drugs for fear of legal repercussions, Kopchick said.
After a review of the survey results, a committee consisting of representatives from the Division of Student Affairs, campus involvement, Student Senate, OU police and faculty developed a protocol for handling these types of situations, Kopchick said.
Between Fall Quarter 2008 and July 2010, almost 70 students took advantage of the diversion program, according to the Office of University Judiciaries. There were 14 additional cases last quarter.
If students contact medical services about an alcohol-related incident, the case is reported to judiciaries. Students are then referred into the program on a case-by-case basis, said Jenny Hall-Jones, OU's assistant dean of students.
The program requires students to complete one of two diversion programs offered by the university; the basics program or the prime-for-life program, Kopchick said.
The basics program consists of two one-on-one sessions with a psychologist, Hall-Jones said. The prime-for-life program is a five-hour session with a group of students and consists of journaling and personal reflection.
However, students can only use the program once, she added.
We want to help people and for them to understand that they can make a mistake Hall-Jones said. But they can only make that mistake once.
Jake Ulrich, a senior studying engineering, was sent to the hospital last winter after returning to his dorm from a party at Riverpark Towers apartments, 36 N. McKinley Ave.
I don't usually go out that much so it was just one of those nights I had quite a bit too much
Ulrich said. As a diabetic, he feared his emergency would only worsen, he added.
Although he was only 20 years old at the time, Ulrich informed his resident assistant that he needed medical attention.
OU police officers and an ambulance responded to the call, Ulrich said, adding that he spent the next several hours at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Ulrich's case was never reported to judiciaries because the RA or the responding officer made a judgment call based on special circumstances, Hall-Jones said.
I was warned about maybe having to go to court
but nothing ever came of it
Ulrich said.
Because Ulrich is diabetic, his case was probably cited as a true medical emergency rather than an alcohol-related emergency, Hall-Jones said.
Although Ulrich was not referred to the program, she said the incident is a good indicator of how the program should work.
Students should not fear judicial repercussions if they need help
she said.
Although the program helps students avoid suspension, it does not trump a court case, Kopchick said.
The university cannot protect students from legal charges, but the Athens County Municipal Court offers a similar diversion program for first-time offenders. Underage consumption is a first-degree misdemeanor. Offenders are required to appear in court and could be fined no more than $1,000 and spend no more than 180 days in jail.
The court's diversion program provides underage offenders the chance to expunge the legal charges from their records through counseling sessions, community service hours and a fee of at least $150, according to the court.
Students charged with underage consumption can complete both court and university diversion programs to eliminate judicial and legal charges, Hall-Jones said.
Even if a student is 21 years and older and receives medical care for an alcohol related incident, they are encouraged to complete the program as well, Hall-Jones said. Although they do not face underage consumption charges, students of legal drinking age would still face a judicial charge for mental and bodily harm to self, she added.
We just want students to call for their friends and not be worried about being suspended from OU
Hall-Jones said, adding that for most students, such as Ulrich, their first offense is usually their last.
Although I have to live with my actions
it is a mistake I know I will never make again
Ulrich said. I definitely learned my lesson.
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