According to a list compiled about a year ago by ASMSU’s governmental affairs office, about 100 universities and colleges around the country have some sort of ordinance or policy that allows minors to escape punishment from the university if help is sought for alcohol overconsumption.

ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, has advocated Michigan’s medical amnesty initiative for about a year. The group claimed a victory in its effort to make medical amnesty a state law Oct. 20, when the bill overwhelmingly passed in the state House of Representatives. Although the legislation would apply statewide, group officials hope to get university support, as well.

ASMSU’s Student Assembly Chairman Kyle Dysarz said the group hopes to gain verbal support for medical amnesty from MSU officials, but said they probably won’t change MSU’s policy unless the bill going through the Legislature becomes law. MSU currently does not have an official amnesty policy.

“You can’t have one or the other,” Dysarz said. “I would hope that they would support the state law in hopes to bring about a change in the university. It’s the appropriate time to turn to the university and get … verbal commitment.”

Under current university policy, a student who seeks medical attention after overconsuming is subject to the student judicial process, which could result in disciplinary probation, mandatory alcohol education programs, arrest or suspension from MSU, among other consequences.

While ASMSU is pursuing MSU officials’ commitment, a number of other universities have policies that protect minors from punishment at the university level.

Cornell University, for example, implemented a Medical Amnesty Protocol, or MAP, in 2002 that exempts students from disciplinary action by the university if they seek medical attention.

According to an informational Web site about the protocol, the university has seen increased numbers of calls to medical personnel and visits to hospital emergency rooms.

Tim Marchell, director of mental health initiatives at Cornell’s Gannett Health Services, said the university stands behind its decision and has not seen much controversy as a result of implementing the protocol. Cornell’s policy exempts minors who call for help for themselves and minors who call on another’s behalf from university disciplinary action.

“One thing to note … is that the MAP applies to the geographic boundaries of the university,” Marchell said in an e-mail. “It does not apply off-campus, though in practice local police … abide by the principles of MAP so that students are not afraid to seek help.”

The University of Texas at Austin implemented an Alcohol Medical Emergency Call for Help, or AMECH, program about two years ago to encourage students to be responsible and to take care of one another when medical assistance is needed but might not be sought, said Doug Garrard, UT’s senior associate dean of students.

He said the policy exempts minors from punishment at the university level only.

UT has an undergraduate student population comparable to MSU’s, with about 37,000 enrolled.

“The general emphasis on our students has been creating this culture of awareness and safety that students should take care of each other,” Garrard said.

Dysarz said ASMSU’s advocacy for medical amnesty legislation has gained support from various MSU departments, such as the Department of Residence Life and Olin Health Center. He said the group hopes to speak with Lee June, MSU vice president for student affairs and services, and MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon to gain support for university action.