As we all know, alcohol-consumption is a topic that the University never tires of debating about. While the student body has mixed feelings about many of the decisions being made on campus, there has been a new change that we should all be aware of, and take full advantage of.
This summer, President Bravman released a new medical amnesty policy that prioritizes the health and safety of students. Step aside points: You’re no longer welcome around these parts. Previously, the policy stated that an intoxicated student was only allowed to receive medical attention once without severe consequences. The first time a fellow student reported them to be extremely intoxicated, the intoxicated student received one point and a $25 fine. After that, if sent to the hospital again, the student faced much more severe penalties such as getting multiple points, heftier fines and even expulsion.
Under the new and improved policy, however, a student is able to receive medical attention numerous times without penalty. No points or fines will be given when a student is reported by another student to be severely intoxicated. In addition, if the student needs medical attention due to alcohol consumption at a club or team event, the organization will not be penalized for making the call. Although it is not ideal to be need to be called on more than once, we should not be afraid of the repercussions when our health is at stake. With this new policy, there is no reason to fear helping a friend and fellow student.
The new amnesty policy is in place solely for the benefit of the student body, and therefore we should take advantage of it whenever we are in a questionable situation. Drinking is common at Bucknell, and on most other campuses as well. We all have our rough nights. While this new policy does not promote reckless behavior or excuse heavy drinking, it does promote look out for each other and ensuring that we all get the chance to learn from our mistakes.
Kudos to President Bravman and his team for putting this new policy into action. As the mother in me comes out (very rarely does that happen), I behoove everyone to take advantage of this new policy. Call them, beep them, even if you don’t really want to reach them, because your health comes before anything else.