Good Samaritan Policy

FAQs and Myths

Myth: All alcohol or drug-related incidents are covered by the Good Samaritan policy.
Fact: Only 2.06% of all alcohol or drug-related incidents referred to the Office of Community Standards in 2020-21 were considered Good Samaritan incidents.

Myth: There are more and more Good Samaritan incidents every year.
Fact: The number of Good Samaritan incidents fluctuates between years. Often the number of overall cases in the Office of Community Standards correlates with the size of the incoming first-year class and the number of overall violations that are reported.

Myth: All Good Samaritan incidents involve alcohol.
Fact: The vast majority of incidents do in fact involve alcohol, but the policy applies to drug use as well!

Myth: There are no consequences if you have a Good Samaritan incident.
Fact: While we don’t like the term “consequences," there is follow up that occurs. Typically, a student who has a Good Samaritan incident will meet with someone in the Office of Community Standards, have a substance use assessment with the counseling center, and take a class for persons hospitalized for drugs or alcohol.

Myth: You can only get help for someone else once under the Good Samaritan Policy.
Fact: You can get help for other people as many times as needed! The Good Samaritan Policy protects two parties: the reporter and the person who needs assistance. The reporter is protected as many times as needed throughout their Miami career. You should ALWAYS call for help if someone needs it! However, the person that needed assistance can receive the protection of the policy only once.

Myth: A Good Samaritan Policy violation will stop me from participating in a Study Abroad trip.
Fact: Good Samaritan Policy violation is NOT a reportable disciplinary action.

Myth: All Miami students “get” a Good Samaritan once during their time as a student.
Fact: The application of the Good Samaritan Policy is based on each individual situation. Sometimes it will apply and sometimes it will not.