VIII. Public Safety and Health
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Emergency Alert Notifications
Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Tobacco-Free Environment
Communicable Disease Policy
Campus Police
Parking and Driving Regulations
Firearms on Campus
Sexual Assault Policy
The college emergency response plan is available on the College Intranet under the Faculty and Staff Resources tab (http://suscc.intranet.thirdwavedigital.com/employee-resources.cms) and on the college web site. Hard Copies are available from the Office of Student Services on the Wadley and Opelika campuses and in the Administrative Offices on the Valley Campus. Additional locations are the Dean of Academics’ office on the Opelika campus and Associate Dean of Instruction’s office on the Wadley Campus
Southern Union uses Schoolcast to send emergency alert notifications using voice and text regarding college closings or other emergency situations.
Schoolcast
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY
613.01 - Board Policy
THE DRUG ABUSE OFFICE AND TREATMENT ACT OF 1972 (PL 92-255), as amended, relates to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse.In compliance with the drug-free workplace requirements of Public Law 100-690 for the recipients of Federal contracts and grants, the following policy is in effect for Southern Union State Community College. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited by Southern Union State Community College on any property owned, leased, or controlled by Southern Union State Community College or during any activity conducted, sponsored, or authorized by or on behalf of Southern Union State Community College. A “controlled substance” shall include any substance defined as a controlled substance in Section 102 of the Federal Controlled Substance Act (Code of Alabama, Section 20-2-1, et seq.)
Any employee who is convicted by any Federal or State Court of an offense which constitutes a violation of paragraph one above shall notify the College President in writing of said conviction within five (5) days after the conviction occurs. Conviction, as defined in PL 100-690, shall mean “a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both.” In the event of a report of a conviction pursuant to paragraph four above, where the employee is working in a project or program funded through a Federal contract or grant, Southern Union State Community College shall notify in writing within ten (10) days any Federal agency to whom such notification by Southern Union State Community College is required under PL 100-690.
In the event an employee violates paragraph one above or receives a conviction as described in paragraph 4 above, the respective employee shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to, termination of employment. Southern Union State Community College shall also reserve the right to require said employee, as a condition of continued employment, to satisfactorily complete a drug treatment or rehabilitation program of a reasonable duration and nature.
Southern Union State Community College shall make a good faith effort to ensure that paragraphs one through six above are followed. Each new employee of the College shall receive a copy of this policy.
Southern Union State Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment for the students, faculty, and staff on its campus and, because of this, maintains a tobacco-free environment.
Southern Union State Community College Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy
The use of all forms of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented, in the possession of, or in any way used by Southern Union is expressly prohibited. "Tobacco Products" is defined as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs or simulate the use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes.
Further, this policy prohibits any advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on Southern Union properties. This prohibition includes but is not limited to all areas indoors and outdoors, buildings and parking lots owned, leased, rented or otherwise used by Southern Union. The use of tobacco products is prohibited in all vehicles – private or public vehicles - located on Southern Union properties.
This policy applies to all persons who enter the areas described above, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, contractors and subcontractors, spectators, and visitors. All events hosted by a Southern Union shall be smoke and tobacco-free.
Compliance and Enforcement
Faculty, staff and students of Southern Union State Community College are expected to be positive role models and good ambassadors of the tobacco-free and smoke-free policy to campus visitors. The monitoring and enforcement of the tobacco-free and smoke free policy is the responsibility of all Southern Union faculty, staff and students. Each member should consistently and politely bring any infraction of this policy to the attention of the person or persons observed violating the policy.
Employees:
All Southern Union supervisors must inform subordinate faculty and staff members of this policy and inform them that failure to comply can be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Employee infractions should be reported to the employee's supervisor or department head, or Human Resources if unknown. Supervisors will utilize progressive discipline, beginning with a reminder of the policy and an offer of assistance with smoking cessation.
Southern Union State Community College recognizes that students and employees with communicable diseases and/or life- threatening illnesses, including but not limited to AIDS, hepatitis (HBV), and tuberculosis (TB), may wish to continue educational pursuits. As long as these students/employees are able to meet acceptable performance standards and medical evidence indicates that their condition(s) is not a threat to themselves or others, the College will ensure they are treated consistently with other students/employees. At the same time, Southern Union State Community College is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. Every precaution will be taken to ensure that neither the health nor safety of Southern Union State Community College employees and students is threatened.
The Exposure Control Officer (ECO) for Southern Union State Community College is Lisa Shiver, DNP, RN, FNP-BC. Students/Employees who have medical conditions which require confidentiality are urged to contact the ECO. Information about health matters will be treated confidentially, and any information shared by the ECO will be only on a professional need-to-know basis.
Athletes participating in college sports are urged to report any communicable disease and/or life threatening illness to the ECO. Notification may be in person or may be in writing and sent to the ECO in an envelope marked “personal and confidential.” Decisions regarding participation in contact sports will be made on a case-by-case basis. All students living in college dormitories must attend a required dormitory meeting in which the communicable disease policy and prevention of transmission of communicable diseases are explained.
As long as their medical condition permits, students who have a communicable disease and/or life threatening illness may have equal access to college facilities or campus activities, including living in the campus dormitory and participating in social activities offered by the College. Any problems encountered involving equal access should be referred to the college ADA compliance officer.
Health care is not provided at Southern Union. Students and employees requesting information on HIV, AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses, HBV, and TB will be referred to appropriate agencies.
Campus Police provides security services for all Southern Union campuses.
Contact Information:
Wadley Campus
Chief Jimmy Homes
Office: (256) 395-2211 Ext. 5853
Cell Phone: 334-328-4743
Email: jholmes@suscc.edu
Opelika and Valley Campus
Lt. Randy Burroughs
Office: (334) 745-6437
Cell Phone: 334-324-3631
Email: rburroughs@suscc.edu
PARKING AND DRIVING REGULATIONS
Any person who drives a car or a motorized vehicle on any campus, day or night, must have liability insurance and must secure a parking hang tag at the Business Office. Parking and/or driving on grass is prohibited at all campuses.
Parking hang tags must be affixed to the rear view mirror of the vehicle.
The following driving and parking regulations apply to all campuses.
- The speed limit is not to exceed 10 mph on any campus
- The registered driver is responsible for his or her vehicle regardless of who is driving.
- Visitors to the campus must obtain a visitors parking permit from the Business Office or campus administrative offices. This also applies to students bringing an unregistered vehicle on campus at any time.
- No vehicle may be parked in a “no parking” zone.
4.1 Vehicles parked improperly with a hang tag showing will be ticketed and a $25 fine will be assessed.
4.2 Vehicles parked improperly with no hang tag showing will be towed from campus at owner’s expense.
Firearms are prohibited on campus or on any other facility operated by the College. Exceptions to this policy are:
Law enforcement officers legally authorized to carry such weapons, who are officially enrolled in classes or are acting in the performance of their duties or an instructional program in which firearms are required equipment.
The College’s sexual assault policy defines sexual assault and states consideration and rights to be afforded to all campus community members who are victims of sexual assault. The policy includes sexual assault procedures which provide directions for responding to sexual assault cases, a listing of appropriate legal authorities and service agencies, and specific notification and response procedures for College personnel. The sexual assault policy and procedures in detail is available from the Dean of Student’s Office.
Responsibilities for a Safe Southern Union State Community College
Sexual Crimes Prevention and Reporting/Title IX
Southern Union State Community College is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, which includes all forms of sexual misconduct.
Sex discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. Southern Union State Community College explicitly prohibits any kind of violence based on sex, which includes sexual assault, relationship or domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, or hate crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Also in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Southern Union State Community College will not tolerate retaliation for claims made under the College’s Title IX Policy.
- Sexual Assault : Any unwanted sexual contact, including sexual contact when someone is unable to provide consent.
Example: when someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or otherwise incapacitated.
- Sexual Harassment: Verbal or physical behavior of a sexual or sexist nature that creates a hostile environment.
Example: Repeated, persistent requests for a date or sex, ignoring the person’s “no”.
- Dating Violence: Physical, verbal, or sexual behavior that threatens the safety of an individual within the context of a romantic or intimate relationship.
Example: pushing or hitting a partner or physically preventing the person from leaving.
- Domestic Violence: Physical, verbal, or sexual behavior that threatens the safety of an individual within the context of a marriage, domestic partnership, or relationship where two individuals are parents of a child together.
Example: verbally threatening a partner or physically harming a partner.
- Stalking: A course of conduct that causes a specific individual to fear his or her own safety or the safety of those he or she cares about.
Example: repeated calling, texting, or messaging even after being told not to.
- Retaliation: Retaliatory acts against a person who reports a Title IX issue, or for filing, testifying, assisting, or participating in any investigation or proceeding involving allegations of sex discrimination.
Victims of sexual crimes can receive assistance through local medical and psychological professionals in the area. Please be aware that many sexual assaults/rapes involving college students are 'acquaintance rapes' or 'date rapes.' Victims of on-campus crimes have the right to choose counseling, medical treatment, prosecution, and reporting of their case through the college reporting system and/or the off-campus court system. Victims also have the right to refuse to report the crime without reproach from college personnel. It is important that you preserve as much evidence as possible to aid in successful prosecution.
Contact:
Jimmy Holmes - Chief of Police
Wadley Campus, Administration Building
(256) 395-2211 Ext. 5823 | jholmes@suscc.edu
Those who are in life-threatening situations should call 911, local police department, or the SU Campus Police who can offer immediate assistance in protection from the assailant and in collecting evidence and testimony for criminal charges.
At some point in the process a sexual assault survivor may decide to pursue criminal charges against the assailant, file a complaint through the college process, do both or do neither. SUSCC is prepared to respond to whatever the survivor's choice may be, encouraging the pursuit of criminal proceedings whenever possible and especially to prevent assault by the same assailant.
To press criminal charges, survivors are encouraged to go to the SU Campus Police to report an on-campus assault and to the appropriate law enforcement agency to report an assault that occurred off campus. Survivors can also file a complaint through the College process at the same time. They are separate processes.
Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act