Whether you’re attending classes in the daytime or evening, you should feel safe walking from your vehicle to the classroom building and walking back to your car after class. You should also feel safe when hanging out on campus or when running errands around your school.
Orange Technical College takes campus safety seriously. When students feel safe and comfortable, they’re better able to focus on their career and educational goals. Learn more about what our staff, campus security, and Orange County Public School (OCPS) District Police are doing to create a safe and welcoming campus.
College Campus Safety
The goal of campus safety is to protect students. Crime can happen on college campuses, and in some cases, the results of those crimes can be tragic. In fact, one such crime led to the creation of The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, also known as the Clery Act.
In the mid-1980s, Jeanne Clery was a college student who was raped and murdered in her dorm room at a university in Pennsylvania1. Her parents fought in her memory to get laws passed to protect other students from a similar fate. Their actions led to the Clery Act, which requires campuses to report crimes, provide safety education, and develop safety procedures.
The US Department of Education publishes campus safety statistics for schools across the US2. The statistics break down crimes by type and show the numbers reported on college campuses each year.
The National Center for Education Statistics also publishes an annual report that breaks down the incidence of crimes at schools nationwide (including elementary and high schools)3.
Why Campus Safety Is Important
Everyone with some connection to a school, whether they’re a student, teacher or instructor, staff member, or parent, should be concerned about campus safety.
Schools should focus on implementing security measures to protect students and to make their campuses more attractive. Students are more likely to want to go to a school if they know that the crime rate is low.
Safety measures also ensure that the next generation survives and can make an impact on the world. Finally, taking steps to protect students, faculty, and staff means that the school can provide excellent education and that students are in an environment conducive to learning.
How Orange Technical College Protects Students
Orange Technical College has several programs in place to increase campus security and protect students.
For example, the school’s policies limit who can be on campus. Students aren’t allowed to bring visitors to class or campus.
Beyond students and staff, only people on official business are allowed on campus. Visitors need to sign in and wear a visitor pass, in a visible location, while on campus.
Students, faculty, and staff also have to wear their ID badges while on campus. Instructors have to check students’ badges and can ask a student to wear theirs if they aren’t already.
Orange Technical College is also a drug-free campus, meaning drugs aren’t allowed on any college property. Students also need to complete drug and alcohol training as part of campus safety training.
How to Protect Yourself on Campus
From security guards to local police, your school is looking out for your safety. There are also things you can do to protect yourself while on campus. Follow these campus safety tips:
- Stay alert: When you’re on campus, pay attention. Look around you and listen to see if there’s anything unusual. Try not to wear headphones or stare at your phone while walking around.
- Walk with a buddy: Use the buddy system, especially if you’re walking to your vehicle after an evening class.
- Complete safety training: Campus safety training programs teach you how to protect yourself and respond to threats.
- If you see something, say something: Report anything unusual to campus police or report any crimes you see taking place.
- Know the emergency procedures: Emergency response is part of campus safety. Become familiar with escape routes in case of fire and what to do in case of a hurricane or another type of bad weather.
As a student, you have the right to a safe campus. You and Orange Technical College can work together to create a secure and comfortable learning environment for everyone. Contact us for more information on campus safety today.
Sources:
- Annual Security Report, Orange Technical College, https://p15cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_86919/File/ASR/ASR_web.pdf
- Campus Safety, US Department of Education, https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/institution/search
- Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2020, National Center for Education Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2021/2021092.pdf