| 3.10.6 |
The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community. (Healthful and Safe Environment)
X Compliance Partial Compliance Non-Compliance
Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) takes numerous steps to actively promote a healthy, safe, and secure environment. These actions include such measures as the following:
holding periodic fire drills providing fifteen eyewash and shower stations installing and monitoring twenty-seven security cameras providing seven emergency call boxes across campus -
posting messages regarding the prohibition of concealed weapons in prominent places to notify students, employees, and all visitors in accordance with state law.
Additionally, OCtech has adopted various policies to address the other relevant areas:
The State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE) also adopts policies that are applied uniformly systemwide to promote a safe and healthful environment. Examples of such policies include the Student Code and the Grievance Appeal Procedure, as well as the following additional relevant areas:
The College's Security and Safety Department is lead by the Chief of Security and Safety. In addition to the Chief, the College employs a safety staff of six full-time safety officers who operate under the provisions of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Policy 6.003: Security Services. In a recent survey, 96% of the faculty and staff and 85% of the students reported feeling safe on campus during the day. A somewhat lower response was received regarding the evening hours. Additional follow-up indicated that a full review of campus lighting was warranted. All parking lot lights have now been adjusted for better illumination of corners. New, brighter light fixtures have been ordered for the corridors connecting three (1400, 1500, and 1600) industrial buildings.
The College also has a Safety Committee comprised of a cross-section of College employees. The Committee meets several times a year to review and update the College’s Safety Plan, make recommendations as to other procedures related to safety, and to address any concerns that may have arisen across the campus. As needed for specialized training or interpretation of regulations, the College occasionally employs the services of an outside safety consultant.
The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 requires colleges to publish and distribute a public crime report. To comply with this Act, OCtech prepares an annual report which contains general information about college issues such as drug and alcohol consumption on campus, weapons on campus, how to report crimes, safe access to campus buildings, and a three-year summary of crime statistics. During the three most recent years, the College experienced no reports of any serious crimes such as murder, forcible or non-forcible sex offenses, hate crimes, robbery, arson, or negligent manslaughter. This report is distributed to all faculty and staff and is made available to new students during orientation and to any interested party upon request. The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004: Page 53 directs all parties interested in obtaining a copy of the report to the College Security Office.
Various safety training programs for selected faculty and staff are performed as required, and records are maintained of all required training. The most recent training was conducted by the safety consultant in August 2004 in the following areas: Right-To-Know, Blood borne Pathogens, Lockout/Tagout, and Confined Spaces.
The most recent campus-wide fire drill was held on September 30, 2004. The accompanying September 30, 2004, OCtech Fire Drill Report illustrates the seriousness with which the College conducts such drills and subsequent follow-up activities.
The College has a two-part comprehensive Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Safety Manual. The basic manual is distributed to all members of the faculty and staff and is updated regularly as needed. The following program-specific sections of the manual were updated in 2004: Hazard Communication, Blood borne Pathogens, Chemical Management, Confined Space, Chemical Hygiene, Fire Safety, Hearing Safety, and Respirator Program. These sections are given to each member of the Safety Committee and are available in the Human Resource Office, the Security Office, and the Library. A new program-specific section, Crisis Response, was added in 2004. Important life-safety procedures such as evacuations are on the College’s intranet.
The College and the College Foundation sponsor various wellness activities for the faculty and staff including free annual flu shots, an on-site Weight Watchers Program, disease-specific literature, and reduced-price wellness profiles and blood checks. All faculty and staff members are eligible (at reduced prices) to join HealthPlex, a comprehensive wellness and health facility sponsored by The Regional Medical Center. HealthPlex is conveniently located adjacent to the OCtech campus. The College has also contracted with the Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to provide various training, consulting and assessment services under an Employee Assistance Program.
Evidence of Support:
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