Campus Safety

Safety Procedures

1. The practice of safety is an integral part of the institution's educational program. Students are required to purchase and use safety protective coverings as required by their program/department. 
2. The College has published procedures for fires, bomb threats, and extreme weather lockdown. Each of these procedures requires certain behavior on the part of each student. All students should be familiar with the procedures for these emergency situations.
3. All accidents, injuries, and serious illnesses occurring on campus should be immediately reported through written documentation to the instructor and Drake State's Police Department. Forms may be obtained from Drake State's Police Department.
4. Evacuation routes are posted in each classroom, office, and other specified areas.
5. Intercom instructions will advise students and employees of what to do in emergency situations. 

First Aid

Students requiring first aid should notify their instructor or the first available College official. In the event that a person needs emergency medical treatment, emergency services should be contacted and College officials notified. A person suspected of being seriously ill or injured (broken bones, unconscious, etc.) should not be moved until medical personnel arrive. Any costs, such as transporting student to the hospital, hospitalization, or treatments are the responsibility of the student. The College does not provide emergency medical service. All areas are equipped with first aid kits to treat minor injuries.  

Inclement Weather

All class cancellations or College closings due to inclement weather will be announced through the media. Notices will be sent to local media platforms. 

For students on campus during inclement weather, intercom announcements will provide instructions for what to do in an emergency situation. Mass notifications by the College on the Main Campus will be made primarily by using the Public Address System and/or “Drake Alert”.

Note: Day classes include all classes held during the 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. period. Evening classes are defined as all classes meeting any time after 5:00 p.m. until the College closes at the end of the evening session.  

Unattended Minors

Children are not allowed to attend classes. Children visiting the campus are expected to comply with all College policies. The accompanying adult is responsible for ensuring compliance. 

Violence Against Women Act - VAWA

Drake State has a commitment to safety and security and complies with the Violence Against Women Act and the Federal Clery Act, both helping to bolster response to and prevention of violence.  

VAWA requires colleges and universities, both public and private, participating in federal student aid programs to increase transparency about the scope of sexual violence on campus; guarantee victims enhanced rights; provide for Standards in institutional conduct proceedings; and provide campus community-wide prevention educational programming. 

In compliance with VAWA and Clery, Drake State has processes in place to actively collect and share data on violent incidents, and we regularly offer sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking prevention workshops.  For more information contact the Dean of Students, Drake State's Police Department, or the Counseling Office for details.  

Annual Safety Report

Drake State is required to publish and distribute an Annual Safety Report (ASR) by October 1st of each year. The ASR must include crime statistics for three calendar years as well as all of the required campus safety and security policies and procedures. 

Rules of the Road Campus Parking and Driving Safety

This information has been developed to provide details regarding rules and requirements for operating vehicles on the campus of Drake State. The information provided is designed to assist faculty, staff, students, and visitors in providing a safe, secure, and orderly method of parking and operating vehicles on the campus.  

• Vehicle (Campus) Registration- All vehicles owned or regularly used on campus by faculty, staff, and students are required to be registered with the I.T. Department. Each person seeking to register his or her vehicle(s) is required to provide a valid driver's license, current vehicle registration (tag and tax receipt), and proof of insurance. All vehicles in the State of Alabama are required to have liability insurance. 
• Vehicle Decal- Upon completion of the vehicle registration, a Drake State parking decal (hangtag) will be issued. The parking decal must be displayed in the vehicle while it is in use (operating or parking) on the campus. Visitors are not required to have a parking decal. 
• Parking Enforcement- All vehicles are required to be parked in the assigned parking zones. Parking areas for faculty, staff, and visitors are indicated by designated markers. All other areas are available throughout the campus for student parking. Vehicles in violation of parking in designated zones will be towed at owner's expense. 
• Speed Limit- The posted speed limit on campus of Drake State is 10 MPH.
• Loud Music- Music played from your vehicle should not be heard from over 25 feet away from the vehicle.
• Security- All regulations regarding loud music, parking, speeding, and other moving violations will be enforced by campus police. Violators (individuals who excessively violate the rules or who operate vehicles in a manner which compromises the safety of others) will forfeit their driving privileges on campus. 
  
  

For information regarding vehicle (campus) registration and parking decals, contact the I.T. Department at 256-551-3126. Information regarding Enforcement-related issues should be directed to campus police at 256-551-5223. Questions or concerns pertaining to enforcement issues can also be directed to the campus police.

Alabama Gun Law

I. Firearms are prohibited on campus or on any other facility operated by the institution. Exceptions to this policy are:

(1) 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. 

(2) Individuals not otherwise prohibited from possession of a firearm by state or federal law may possess a firearm and ammunition for that firearm in the individual's privately owned motor vehicle while parked or operated on the grounds of the institution; provided, that the individual satisfies all of the following conditions:

(a) If the firearm is a pistol, the individual is not generally prohibited from possession of a pistol by state or federal law. 

(b) If the firearm is any firearm legal for use for hunting in Alabama other than a pistol:

(1) The individual possesses a valid Alabama hunting license. 

(2) The firearm is unloaded at all times while on the grounds of the institution. 

(3) It is during a season in which hunting is permitted by Alabama law or regulation.

(4) The individual has never been convicted of any crime of violence.

(5) The individual has no documented prior incidents on the grounds of the institution involving the threat of physical injury or which resulted in physical injury to another. 

(c) The motor vehicle is operated or parked in a location where it is otherwise permitted to be. 

(d) The firearm is either of the following:

(1) In a motor vehicle attended by the individual and kept from ordinary observation within the individual's motor vehicle. (2) In a motor vehicle unattended by the individual, kept from ordinary observation and locked within a compartment, container, or in the interior of the individual's privately owned  motor vehicle or in a compartment or container securely affixed to the motor vehicle. 

II. If the institution believes that an individual presents a risk of harm to himself, herself, or to others, the institution may inquire as to whether the individual possesses a firearm in his or her private motor vehicle. If the individual does possess a firearm in his or her private motor vehicle on the property of the institution, the institution may make any inquiry necessary to establish that the individual is in compliance with section (2) above. 

(1) If the individual is not in compliance with section (2), the institution may take adverse action against the individual, in the discretion of the institution.