The Medical Emergency Assistance Program (MEA) protocol is part of Ohio University’s comprehensive environmental approach to address high-risk behaviors. Because the health and safety of the members of the Ohio University is of primary concern, Ohio University wants to remove the perceived barriers that prevent students from seeking immediate medical attention. This program has been designed for the student who is concerned for the well-being of a fellow student. MEA enables Ohio University to more effectively address the issue of civility and good citizenship with our students. Students are encouraged to come to the aid of fellow students who are suffering a medical emergency.
No. Ohio University recognizes that students sometimes make high-risk choices about the use of alcohol and other drugs. If a medical emergency is the result of the high-risk choice, the university wants the student to get the required medical attention without fear of getting in trouble with the university’s student conduct system.
MEA allows a student experiencing an alcohol or other drug overdose to receive medical attention without a Student Code of Conduct violation. It would also remove Student Code of Conduct violations for those who assisted the student in need if they had been drinking as well.
* applies to personal use only
MEA applies only to alcohol and other drug medical emergencies but does not apply to other prohibited conduct such as assault, property damage and distribution of illicit substances. If other prohibited conduct occurs the student will be held responsible for those violations.
No. MEA will not provide protection from legal consequences of underage/excessive drinking, illegal drug use and the misuse of prescription drugs.
The Director of the Office of Community Standards (or designee) will decide whether or not a student is covered by MEA in lieu of facing formal university disciplinary action. If a student is offered admittance into the MEA program and declines, they will go through the standard Student Conduct Process and their opportunity to participate in MEA will be forfeited.
The Director of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (or designee) will allow MEA to cover a student when the student:
Once. Additionally, MEA will typically only apply to students for whom this is their first drug or alcohol violation. However, at the discretion of the Director (or designee), MEA may be granted to students on a second alcohol violation, provided that they have not previously participated in MEA. Students calling for help or assisting in a high-risk situation, even if they are in violation of an alcohol or drug policy, may use MEA multiple times.
Yes. In order to successfully complete MEA, students must do the following, within the deadline given:
Yes. Here at OHIO, we know how influential parents are on students’ decision-making. It’s important to us to partner with parents in order to provide multiple levels of support for students completing the MEA program.
Students who fail to successfully complete MEA will face university student conduct charges for the incident that prompted their admission to the program, in addition to a charge of failure to comply.