Diemand-Yauman ’10 fights charges

Diemand-Yauman said that he and several friends, some of whom were drinking, had gathered to watch a movie. He added that one friend “had drank a considerable amount ... [and] got to a point where [he] was worried for his wellbeing.”

“He was unconscious, his breathing was shallow, and his pulse was weak,” Diemand-Yauman noted.

Diemand-Yauman, who said he was not drinking during the incident, called Public Safety, which in turn called an ambulance. His friend was taken by ambulance to the University Medical Center at Princeton.

Though he “trusted the system to address [his] situation in a fair manner,” Diemand-Yauman said he believes that his being charged goes against the University’s alcohol policy.

Diemand-Yauman announced at last week's USG debate that he was being charged by the Borough for this incident and that he was working with the administration to address the University's amnesty policy in relation to the Borough's alcohol policy.

“There will be no disciplinary consequences to a student ... simply for calling for assistance for another intoxicated person,” Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Victoria Jueds said in an e-mail.

She noted that the University’s “Rights, Rules, Responsibilities” lays out the policy: “Neither intoxication nor admission to UHS for intoxication will be grounds for disciplinary action. Contacting the Department of Public Safety for assistance in transporting a student in need of medical attention will not, in itself, lead to disciplinary action.”

Diemand-Yauman said that he has been discussing the matter with Jueds and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Hilary Herbold GS ’97, who did not respond to requests for comment.

Jueds said that she could not address the case, citing University policy not to comment on individual incidents.

Diemand-Yauman noted a lack of transparency when he dealt with Public Safety and Borough Police, explaining that he “assumed that both of the officers questioning [him] were from Public Safety,” when in fact one was from the Borough.

Roughly one week after the incident, a Borough Police detective e-mailed Diemand-Yauman asking to meet with him, he said. “About a week after meeting with the officer, I received notice that I was being charged with providing alcohol to a minor,” he added.

Four total charges were filed in connection with the incident, according to Borough Police records.

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“From my understanding, I was charged with serving because the drinking happened in my room,” Diemand-Yauman said, adding that he did not provide the alcohol involved and did not encourage his friend to drink.

Jueds noted that “the [University] amnesty policy pertains to the administrative response to such a situation,” but also that “University policies in general do not govern the Borough Police.”

She added that “it is not against the law in the state of New Jersey ... to assist another person in seeking medical attention for intoxication.”

Diemand-Yauman, though, said he believes that “there seems to be conflicting policy within the Borough that is counterproductive to the University’s efforts to ensure that every student is getting the help that they need.”

He added that as USG president, his first priority will be to address the discrepancy between the two policies and general lack of clarity as to the consequences for students who decide to seek medical attention for friends in need.

Diemand-Yauman said that he will seek students’ input on the matter and will use first-hand accounts in discussions he plans to have with administrators and Borough officials.

“If the way the Borough reacted to my situation is their typical response for all students, there is a definite problem, and I want to discuss this problem with them along with Princeton administrators to prevent possible consequences,” he said.

“The stakes are too high to play this game of chance,” he added. “In these situations, a few minutes could be the difference between life or death.”