Campus Safety & Transparency
This page exists to provide information for and transparency in campus safety and security.
***For emergencies, please call 911***
Safety & Security Policies
OCU utilizes the facilities belonging to The First Academy (TFA) or First Baptist Orlando (FBO) via respective memorandums of understanding (MOU). Care of the facilities should reflect an attitude of stewardship and respect towards partnering organizations. Due to the shared nature of the facilities, it is important that OCU stakeholders carefully follow reservation procedures to avoid schedule and space conflicts. It is also important that OCU stakeholders follow a “leave it better than you found it” mentality, promptly cleaning up after every event that uses shared spaces.
The following principles are commonly shared by the administration, faculty, and staff and are applied by the Operations Department in the use assignment of campus spaces:
– All physical rooms and spaces are recognized as a gift from God, entrusted to OCU, to fulfill His mission here through our stewardship. They are not considered to be owned or entitled places by their users.
– Spaces are primarily to serve the corporate priorities of the school before being considered for departmental priorities.
– Programs and departments do not assume the use of space. Space use is applied for, assigned, and tracked from the Operations Department.
– Spaces and places are not necessarily created for exclusive use by a given department. All spaces are seen as a resource of the whole school that can be applied for according to the need of a certain program or department.
– The Operations Department shall evaluate room assignment proposals with respect for the success of programs and functions being served, and for the orderly arrangement and relationship of room locations.
– Patience and flexibility are to be extended when the full degree of need cannot be met with the available amount of space.
– In the process of the design of new spaces to be constructed, each space to be included in the floor plan shall first be defined in terms of function, and defended in terms of its importance. Such spaces shall be subject to these same principles as its worthiness is considered.
– As needs and priorities of the school change over time, it is understood that given areas, spaces, locations or places that have served a certain function for some time may need to house a different function to suit the changing priorities. – Every effort will be made to relocate continuing functions to the best application and extent of available resources.
– With recognition that the Operations Department holds the ultimate responsibility for all physical spaces and places on campus, Operations will decide on a resolution where conflicts may exist pertaining to the use of a certain space.
– In the assignment of space use, the Operations Department will endeavor to employ reasonable and responsible input from the Athletic Director, Divisional Principals, and from the Leadership Team where appropriate.
Failure to follow the appropriate reservation procedures can result in event rescheduling or cancellation, among other consequences. Repeated failures to properly reserve or care for facilities will be addressed directly by the Provost.
TFA and FBO carry responsibility for maintenance of their facilities in accordance with the MOUs. However, as courteous users, OCU stakeholders should notify the appropriate operations department if they notice a maintenance issue in need of attention.
PROCEDURES
Reservation Requests
Reservation requests are made by the Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives. All requests should be submitted utilizing the Event Brief form appended to this policy. Instructions on how to submit a reservation are included on that form.
Maintenance Requests
Submit an email to the Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives for all maintenance or set-up requests in E-1 and E-2 buildings. The Coordinator will direct the request to the proper FBO department and will copy the Director of Operations on the email, so TFA Operations stays informed of the work orders and set-up requests sent to FBO.
Unforeseen emergency needs may be communicated to the Operations department by school radio, phone, or email so that a prompt response can be rendered.
CONTACTS
For questions, please contact Catherine de Armas, Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives.
Email: catherinedearmas@thefirstacademy.org
Crisis Management
As all OCU students are currently dual-enrolled with The First Academy (TFA), all faculty and staff have similar dual roles, and all utilize joint spaces, OCU abides by TFA’s Threat Assessment Policy, General Emergency Protocols, Lockdown/Lockout protocol and Reunification Plan and Procedures. As this policy is designed for emergent situations, the use of shared plans eliminates unnecessary confusion that could arise from multiple similar but not identical plans.
Crisis Communication
All communication from law enforcement should immediately be referred to the Provost.
All media inquiries should likewise be directed to the President or his designee. Any unauthorized individual who makes public comments or addresses the media as an apparent representative of the company may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. Employees are requested to respond to any media inquiry stating that company policy prohibits commenting to any inquiries and direct the individual to the President.
Press releases will be issued as deemed necessary and relevant by the Executive Team. Press releases that include quotes will be approved by the individual quoted. Individuals who work with organizations seeking approval for press releases that mention the company must send such releases to the President for review prior to distribution.
Unauthorized release or responses under this policy may result in termination of employment.
CONTACTS
For questions, please contact the Office of the President.
Email: president@orlandochristianuniversity.org
This policy applies to all stakeholders and visitors on campus. Administration is responsible to ensure compliance with regulations and allocate the necessary resources. All personnel are responsible to maintain a safe environment and report concerns. Students and visitors are responsible to follow regulations and report any concerns.
This policy is informed by statutes including but not limited to the following:
– Fla. Stat. §§ 562.11, 562.111: prohibits possession, purchase, or consumption of alcohol by persons under 21. Selling or providing alcohol to minors is a criminal offense and will be reported accordingly
– Fla. Stat. § 893.13: Prohibits the sale, possession, and distribution of controlled substances. Includes enhanced penalties for drug-related offenses within 1,000 feet of a school
Due to the close working relationship between Orlando Christian University (OCU) and The First Academy (TFA), requirements stated within this policy (such as drug testing) will be considered fulfilled if they are carried out by TFA authorities on behalf of OCU.
POLICY STATEMENT
OCU intends to provide a safe and drug-free work environment for our students and our employees. With this goal in mind and because of the serious drug abuse problem in today’s workplace, we are establishing the following policy for existing and future students and employees of OCU.
OCU explicitly prohibits:
– The use, possession, solicitation for, or sale of narcotics or other illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication without a prescription on OCU premises or while undertaking school-related activities.
– Alcohol use is strictly prohibited for students.
– For employees, being impaired or under the influence of alcohol away from OCU’s premises, if such impairment or influence adversely affects the employee’s work performance, the safety of the employee or of others, or puts at risk OCU’s reputation.
– Possession, use, solicitation for, or sale of legal or illegal drugs away from OCU’s premises.
– The presence of any detectable amount of prohibited substances in the student or employee’s system while on the premises of OCU or while on school business. “Prohibited substances” include illegal drugs or prescription drugs not taken in accordance with a prescription given to the student or employee. The legal use of prescribed drugs is permitted on the job if it does not impair an employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job effectively and in a safe manner that does not endanger other individuals in the workplace.
– OCU employees will not dispense non-prescription or prescription drugs, herbs, vitamins, or any other supplements to students or employees. Violations of this policy may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment. Such violations may also have legal consequences.
OCU will conduct drug testing under any of the following circumstances:
– Pre-employment: All candidates who have received a written offer of employment will be required to undergo testing for commonly abused controlled substances
– Random Testing: students and employees may be selected at random for drug testing at any interval determined by OCU.
– For-cause Testing: OCU may ask a student or employee to submit to a drug test at any time it appears that the individual may be under the influence of drugs, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances: evidence of drugs on or about the individual’s person or in the individual’s vicinity, unusual conduct that suggests impairment or influence of drugs, negative performance patterns, or excessive and unexplained absenteeism or tardiness.
– Post-accident Testing: Any employee involved in an on-the-job accident or injury under circumstances that suggest possible use or influence of drugs in the accident or injury event may be asked to submit to a drug test. “Involved in an on-the-job accident or injury” means not only the one who was or could have been injured, but also any employee who potentially contributed to the accident or injury event in any way.
This policy must be distributed annually to students and personnel.
CONTACTS
For questions, please contact the Office of the Provost.
Email: provost@orlandochristianuniversity.org
APPLICABILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY
The Non-Discrimination Policy applies to all institution constituents, but is of most pressing importance to administrative staff, who are responsible for implementation. This particularly includes the Departments of Admissions, Business/Finance, Human Resources, Student Services, Communications and Marketing, and Administration. The Business Office is the primary accountability arm for compliance with the IRS and related non-profit regulations.
POLICY STATEMENT
For organizations to maintain their tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 501(c)(3) regulations, they must adhere to non-discrimination policies that align with federal law. This includes ensuring that the organization operates in a way that does not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability, in accordance with applicable civil rights laws.
1. IRS Non-Discrimination Requirements for Tax-Exempt Organizations
Under IRS regulations, organizations, particularly private schools, must comply with Revenue Procedure 75-50, which outlines the requirements for maintaining tax-exempt status. These requirements include:
Non-Discriminatory Policy in Admissions: Private schools must have a clear, publicly available statement of non-discrimination that ensures equal access to its programs, facilities, and educational opportunities. This statement must cover race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
Public Notice Requirement: To fulfill IRS guidelines, schools are required to make their non-discrimination policy known to the public. This is typically done by publishing the policy annually in a newspaper of general circulation or other appropriate means (such as the school website or newsletters) to reach the community served by the school.
Employment and Benefits: IRS regulations also expect organizations to comply with federal employment laws. Employers cannot discriminate in hiring, wages, promotion, or benefits on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, or national origin under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other applicable laws.
2. Key Non-Discrimination Areas Covered by IRS Regulations
Non-discrimination policies are broad and cover multiple areas where compliance is required:
Admissions and Enrollment: Schools, especially private ones, must not deny admission or educational opportunities based on race, color, or national origin. Some schools may extend this to gender, disability, and religion.
Access to Services and Programs: All individuals should have equal access to services, programs, and activities offered by the organization. This extends to extracurricular activities and any benefits provided by the institution.
Employment Practices: Employment decisions such as hiring, promotions, salaries, and working conditions must not discriminate based on protected characteristics. This includes compliance with laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Public Availability of Policy: Tax-exempt organizations, especially educational institutions, are required to make their non-discrimination policies publicly accessible, as specified by IRS Revenue Procedure 75-50.
3. Compliance Procedures
To ensure compliance with IRS non-discrimination requirements, tax-exempt organizations should implement the following procedures:
Policy Adoption: A formal non-discrimination policy must be adopted by the organization’s governing body. This policy should address all areas mentioned above, including admissions, access to services, and employment. OCU’s formal policy is found in Article XI of the institutional bylaws.
Annual Review: Organizations should conduct an annual review of their policies and procedures to ensure continued compliance with IRS requirements and federal laws.
Training and Awareness: Employees and leadership should be trained on the non-discrimination policy and the implications of non-compliance, including the potential loss of tax-exempt status.
Public Disclosure: The organization must regularly publish its non-discrimination policy in a widely circulated medium or through other methods that ensure the community is aware of the policy.
Record Keeping: Organizations should maintain documentation proving their compliance with the non-discrimination requirements, including publication records and evidence of employee training.
4. Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the IRS’s non-discrimination requirements can lead to serious consequences, including:
Loss of Tax-Exempt Status: If the IRS determines that an organization is discriminating or failing to comply with Revenue Procedure 75-50, it may revoke the organization’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Legal Liability: Organizations may also face lawsuits or federal enforcement actions under civil rights laws if found guilty of discriminatory practices in areas like admissions, employment, or public access to services.
5. Best Practices for Maintaining Compliance
Policy Transparency: Clearly communicate the non-discrimination policy through the website, admissions materials, employee handbooks, and other platforms.
Regular Audits: Conduct internal audits to ensure policies are being followed in admissions, hiring, and program access. These audits are to be conducted on an annual basis by the respective department heads and the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, and then reviewed by the executive team.
Community Engagement: Engage with the community and stakeholders to demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and non-discrimination.
By adhering to these policies and procedures, OCU can maintain its compliance with IRS regulations and federal civil rights laws, ensuring they operate fairly and retain their tax-exempt status.
CONTACTS
For questions, please contact one of the following:
The Provost: provost@orlandochristianuniversity.org
The Business Office: leighann.harris@orlandochristianuniversity.org
As all OCU students are currently dual-enrolled with The First Academy (TFA), all faculty and staff have similar dual roles, and all utilize joint spaces, OCU abides by TFA’s Tornado Policy and Procedures, Hurricane Policy and Procedures, and Fire Safety Plan. As this policy is designed for emergent situations, the use of shared plans eliminates unnecessary confusion that could arise from multiple similar but not identical plans.
[for copies of these policies, please see the Operational Policies and Procedures Manual.]
CONTACTS
For questions, please contact the Office of the President.
Email: president@orlandochristianuniversity.org
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!
For non-emergent safety concerns: 407-206-8602
For after hours non-emergent safety concerns: 407-514-4434
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Weekends
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Closed
Secure Reporting Form
This form allows students, faculty, staff, and visitors to anonymously report safety concerns, suspicious behavior, or incidents of harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, or other violations of campus policy or law. Reporting helps us keep our campus community safe, accountable, and aligned with our values.