Section III: Comprehensive Standards (Resources: Financial and Physical Resources)

3.10.6.  The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance in taking reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community.

Fulfillment of the mission of Northeast Alabama Community College is dependent upon the provision of a healthy, safe, and secure environment that is not only pleasant and inviting but also free of physical hazards, crime, and the fear of crime. Equally important is provision for procedures during emergency situations.

Safety and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities.  The college has been diligent in ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The campus is wheelchair accessible both inside and outside, with crossover ramps as needed, including the new Nature and Walking Trail. All two-story buildings have elevators. ADA compliant signage has been installed in most buildings to identify rooms. A Disability Services Coordinator works with individual students who may need special assistance or accommodations to achieve accessibility. An ADA Grievance Procedure is in place and is published in the Student Handbook section of the Catalog. 

User-Friendly Signage.  A building/classroom signage project is to be completed during the 2003-2004 academic year. The first phase of the project will be the placement of signs at each building entrance. Many buildings have multiple entrances, with signs only at the main entrance. The second phase will include the placement of directional signs within buildings as deemed necessary and additional labeling to ensure that each classroom, lab, and department is identified with signage adhering to ADA requirements of raised lettering, contrast colors, and Braille. The final phase will include the placement of campus maps in strategic locations to help students and visitors locate buildings.

Maintenance and Cleaning.  Each member of the maintenance staff is assigned specific areas to be cleaned and maintained. College personnel submit written notification of needed repairs to the head of the maintenance department and file a copy with the office of the president. Forms are provided for these requests. When situations require immediate attention, personnel call the campus operator, who radios the maintenance staff.

Campus Security.  Northeast maintains its own security force with ready access to local police resources. The Campus Security office is located in the Student Center. During the past two years, the college has responded to student and personnel requests to upgrade campus lighting, resulting in an amazing change to campus in the evenings. Enhanced lighting throughout campus enables students, faculty, and visitors to move about safely and securely.  In compliance with the Campus Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 and The Higher Education Amendments of 1992 expanding the security-related requirements of the Act, NACC has established policies related to campus security and publishes reports regarding campus security. These policies and reports are published in the Student Handbook section of the Catalog (pp. 138-152). Crime and arrest statistics, as published in the Student Handbook, reveal no reported crimes or arrests from May 14, 1999, through May 15, 2002.

Parking Facilities and Sidewalks.  Several new parking lots have been constructed within the past three years, and all existing lots have been re-paved and striped. In addition, a hazard to both drivers and pedestrians has been avoided with the elimination of parking on the street between the Learning Resources Center and the Health and Fine Arts Building. Additional sidewalks have been constructed within the past year. 

Policies on Alcohol, Drugs, and Smoking.  Northeast provides an alcohol-, drug-, and smoke-free environment and publishes procedures pertaining to the violation of such policies in the Student Handbook section of the Catalog as well as in the Faculty & Staff Handbook.  Smoking is allowed only outside the buildings.  Lighted areas with seating are located outside the Student Center and the Business Education Building.

Campus Safety and Security Committee and the Crisis Management Plan.  In accordance with State Board Policy 808.01, the Campus Safety and Security Committee is designated to assure that appropriate health and safety standards are maintained, to assure that appropriate federal and state statutes are observed, to provide periodic review of the comprehensive campus safety plan and its implementation, and to maintain strategic plans for campus security. The Northeast Crisis Management Plan is maintained by this committee.  Last revised in 2002 and updated in May of 2003, the Crisis Management Plan outlines specific procedures for emergency situations, including fire,  tornado or other inclement weather, violent or criminal behavior, environmental hazards, and bomb threats. Among other provisions, the plan assigns a senior building coordinator (and an alternate who can serve in the absence of the senior); the building coordinators are responsible for emergency building evacuations or movement to a secure area within the building, as in the case of severe weather. The procedures of the Crisis Management Plan have had occasion to be implemented in recent months during times of tornado warnings. 

Student Notification.  Information relative to health, safety, and security is provided to students at freshman orientation. The inclement weather policy includes both information on how any school closing will be communicated and how students must take responsibility for their own safety in determining whether or not they should be on the road in inclement weather conditions. Students at orientation are advised of policies on alcohol and drug use as well as resources for available drug or alcohol treatment. 

Perceptions of Health, Safety, and Security. A survey was recently conducted of students and personnel to assess their agreement with the statement that Northeast takes steps to maintain a healthy, safe, and secure campus environment. Three hundred students and fifty personnel were surveyed. The student survey group consisted of a representative subset of the student population, including students from day and evening classes, academic and technical classes, and credit and non-credit classes. Likewise, a representative subset of the personnel was selected from among the faculty, staff, and administration.  From the table of survey results (Table 1), it was determined that both students and personnel overwhelmingly feel that Northeast strives to provide a healthy, safe, and secure campus environment.

Table 1

Attractiveness as Contributing to Health, Safety, and Security.  NACC personnel are aware that the physical environment and appearance of a college campus can have a great impact on the student experience.  Consequently, under the overall direction of the NACC President, personnel have sought to create a campus that is inviting to students and provides an interactive atmosphere. The overall vision is for the campus to have a small-town atmosphere. In part, this image is achieved by the streetlights that line sidewalks and various parking lots throughout campus. Many areas of the campus have been designed to have a park-like atmosphere that permits students to relax, study, and interact before and after classes. Outdoor benches have been added, and some areas of campus, such as the Business Education Building, have added patio tables and chairs for student use. Plant and flower gardens and decorative fences have been added throughout the campus, and other courtyard areas are being created on campus.  NACC personnel seek a clean, litter-free campus; each maintenance person is assigned a specific area of campus to maintain. NACC administrators work with the Campus Beautification Committee and a landscape consultant to design various aspects of the physical environment of the college. Many NACC faculty and staff members also contribute their ideas and work to maintain and improve the attractiveness of the campus.

In December 2003 the .7-mile Nature and Walking Trail was officially dedicated. This trail circles a four-acre lake on the north end of campus. Northeast students, personnel, and community members are welcome to use the trail for exercise, relaxation, reflection, and study during daylight hours. Further plans include creating an indigenous Appalachian plant area and establishing an outdoor classroom.

Commitment to Provision of a Healthy, Safe, and Secure Environment. The college administration remains committed to maintaining a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community. Policy and procedures adhering to federal, state, and/or institutional safety standards are published in the appropriate sources, as listed in the table of documentation.

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