At College of The Albemarle, the safety and security of students, staff, faculty, and visitors is a matter of the highest priority.  The Director of Facilities, with the support and cooperation of all college departments, strives to keep the campus safe and secure.  Security officers are vital components of campus safety; however, a truly safe campus is achieved only through the collaborative effort of all college members.  Our goal is for safety to be part of the educational process.  Students are encouraged to make responsible decisions in and out of the classroom as well as on and off campus.  It takes the efforts of the entire college community working together to ensure maximum protection of people and property.  This brochure is part of our effort to ensure your safety.  Please read it and use the information to help foster a safer environment on the campus.

Traffic Rules and Regulations
All of the provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes relating to the use of the highways of the State of North Carolina and the operation of motor vehicles thereon shall apply to the streets, roads, alleys and driveways on the campus of the college along with the other rules and regulations approved by the Board of Trustees.  These rules and regulations shall apply on a 24-hour basis to operators of all vehicles, public or private, while on the campus of the college.

The operator shall comply with the legal instructions of any campus security officer and all traffic signs in accordance with the provision of these regulations.  THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FINDING A LEGAL PARKING SPACE RESTS WITH THE MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR.  LACK OF SPACE IS NOT CONSIDERED AN EXCUSE FOR VIOLATION OF PARKING REGULATIONS.  The College shall be responsible for ensuring that the necessary signs are erected and maintained to carry out the intent of these regulations.

A copy of the Traffic and Parking Policy is included in the student handbook.  Failure to obtain such a copy is not, however, an excuse for violation of the policy.

All vehicles to be operated on campus must be properly registered and display a parking decal.

In addition to the standard fines imposed for violations of the Traffic Code, the following penalties may also be imposed:

• All of those provisions detailed in North Carolina General Statute 115D-21 and Section 20.
• The towing law is enforced at the owner’s expense.

Security officers are empowered to issue citations for violators of parking regulations and to stop and identify all persons on campus.  COA is not responsible for the loss or damage of private vehicles resulting from theft, vandalism, or accidents.  Security officers will assist in reporting acts involving any loss or damage but are precluded by the law from taking investigative or punitive action.

Any individuals who disrupt the educational process, endanger someone else, or fail to identify themselves shall be asked or directed to leave the campus.  If a person refuses to leave, the second-degree trespass warning will be administered, and failure to comply will result in the Police Department being notified to respond to the campus.  Trespass charges will be filed.

Children on Campus
Children are not allowed in any classroom, laboratory, library, student areas.  Children may not be left unattended in vehicles at any time.  Children may be brought to special college events and registration.  Exceptions to this may be cleared with the appropriate administrative officer or department chair.  Pets are not allowed on campus.

COA Emergency Notification System
COA can notify you by text and/or voice message of emergencies and college closings.  It is free.  To sign up, log on to Campus Cruiser and click on the COA AlertNow tab.  

Access During Closed Hours
There will be no access to COA buildings during the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

• Access during other closed hours is governed by the following procedures:
  +  Campus:  Prior arrangements must be made and approved by the appropriate vice-president or 
      dean.  The security officer must be advised of the arrangements.
  +  Form:  A form is available in the GroupWise library titled “Facilities Use Agreement/Campus 
      Pass” which allows access for visitors during closed hours.
• Campus security at the Elizabeth City Campus can be reached after normal business hours and on weekends by calling 312-3905.  Campus Security in Edenton can be reached at 267-3862.
• A staff member must accompany students desiring access to any academic facility, preferably from that department.
• Two persons must be present at all times when using a facility such as a shop or laboratory where potential for injury exists.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Elizabeth City Campus - 252-335-0821
Security: 252-312-3905
Switchboard: 0 

Edenton-Chowan Campus - 252-482-7900
Security:  252-267-3862Switchboard: ext. 2413
Chowan Dean: ext. 2401

Dare County Campus - 252-473-2264
Dare Dean: ext. 235
Switchboard: 0

Escort Services
Security can be contacted for assistance at any time.  Security officers (available only in Elizabeth City and Edenton) are available to escort students, staff, faculty, and visitors to and from any building and parking lot on campus.  If security assistance is not requested, we suggest walking with a friend rather than alone.

Crime Prevention - Security Incident Reporting
Security officers are trained to observe and report.  Upon receipt of a call, security officers are dispatched immediately to the site of the complaint to render assistance, to write a security incident report, to take statements for witnesses, and to conduct follow-up inquiries as required.  The Police Department and college personnel are notified of serious incidents for assistance and further investigation.

Tobacco Free
All campus locations are smoke and tobacco free.  No smoking is allowed inside buildings or anywhere on campus grounds including parking lots.

Protect Yourself
You are the key to your personal safety and the safety of others.  By following the precautions listed below, you can substantially decrease your chances of becoming a crime statistic:

            BE AWARE - recognize your vulnerability

            REPORT - all suspicious persons, vehicles, and activities to campus security immediately

            PROTECT your personal property - keep your car locked at all times. Never leave valuables where 
            they can be seen in your vehicle; lock them in your trunk. Do not leave any personal property lying 
            around such as books, book bags, and purses.

            REPORT CRIME - It is important to report all crimes. Individuals may contact security or the 
            appropriate Dean to report crimes. REMEMBER, suspicion of a crime does not require proof! If 
            you suspect a crime has been committed or is about to be committed, contact security or a 
            Dean. 

Victims of Sexual Crimes
Victims of sexual crimes can receive confidential assistance from the below listed organizations.  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 any college personnel.

Sexual Assault:       Elizabeth City & Chowan County - 252-338-5338
                              Dare County - 252-473-5121

Hope Line:               Elizabeth City & Chowan County - 252-338-5338

Crisis Line (24 hrs):  Elizabeth City & Chowan County - 252-338-3011
                              Dare County: 252-473-3366

Medical Emergency: 911

Drug Counseling and Rehabilitation
If anyone needs to seek assistance for any reason related to the use/abuse of drugs or alcohol, a member of the COA counseling staff will act as a referral source.

Weapons on Campus
It is against the laws of the state of North Carolina for weapons to be on any property owned, leased, or occupied by any North Carolina educational institution.  This includes handguns, rifles, BB guns, air rifles, bows, swords, etc., but is not necessarily limited to these items.  If you have any questions relating to weapons on campus, contact your local security or Dean.

Campus Drug and Alcohol Policy
Promoting a drug and alcohol free environment is everyone’s responsibility.  COA supports and is committed to maintaining such an environment for all employees and students.  The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substance by employees or students at any official college location or any location while engaged in activities on behalf of the college is prohibited.  “Controlled substance” generally refers to drugs that have a high potential for abuse.  Such drugs include, but are not limited to heroin, cocaine, “crack,” marijuana, and PCP.  They also include “legal drugs” which are not prescribed by a physician.  Likewise, possessing, consuming, or serving alcoholic beverages at any college location is prohibited.

Fire Safety
A building should be evacuated immediately whenever the building fire alarm sounds or when instructed to do so.  When notified to evacuate the building, walk quickly to the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.  Be sure to close office and classroom doors before you leave.  Faculty and staff are to notify students and visitors in their respective areas to assemble in an area at least 100 ft. from the building.  Assist disabled persons in exiting the building.  Once outside the building, ensure all students that were in class or that were notified are accounted for.

Medical Emergencies
If you have a medical emergency, call the following numbers for immediate assistance or contact security or the Dean for assistance.  If the victim is unconscious, call for the rescue squad immediately at 911 and notify local campus administrators.

Campus Evacuations
When a campus state of emergency is declared, all nonessential personnel, students, and visitors must immediately begin an orderly evacuation of the campus. Notification  will be made by a text message to those who have signed up for AlertNow as well as through the security computer notification system.  COA security and maintenance personnel will assist in directing traffic to ensure the safest and quickest evacuation.  At the beginning of each semester, each instructor must identify all individuals who will need assistance in exiting the building in case of an emergency.  This will include wheelchair bound individuals; those with any condition limiting mobility, visually or hearing impaired individuals, and anyone else who might have difficulty following directions in an emergency.  The names and locations of these individuals must be given to the business office.  Security will be available to assist these individuals in exiting the building in case of an emergency.  Instructors must consult with students with known disabilities as to the best way to assist them in exiting the building.  Generally, building elevators are not available for use and those individuals with limited mobility may require assistance from COA staff in using the stairs.  If assistance is required please notify Security or the switchboard and someone will be dispatched to assist in the evacuation.

Tornado / Hurricane Alert
In the event that a tornado or hurricane warning alert presents an immediate threat to individuals on the COA campus, the campus will be alerted by way of college employees and/or campus security.  It is safest to be located in an interior room with no windows.  Please close all windows and doors before you leave your area.

Campus Security Act
In 1998, the Campus Security Act was amended and renamed the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.  The Act requires COA to prepare and distribute to all current faculty, staff, and students an annual report which sets forth our policies on crime prevention issues and provide statistics on the number of specific, violent crimes (murder and non-negligent manslaughter and negligent manslaughter, forcible and non-forcible sexual offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson, motor vehicle thefts, and hate crimes) which have occurred on campus and also the number of arrests on campus for liquor law violations, drug use violations, and weapons possession.  The annual report is available at http://ope.ed.gov/security/, the college website and printed copies are available from the Vice President for Business and Finance.

ID Cards
The purpose of the ID cards was to allow students to readily identify staff and faculty and to have a method of determining individuals that are not allowed on campus.  Students are not required to display their badges while on campus but are required to have them in their possession.  If students are displaying suspicious behavior or violating any of the student responsibilities identified in the Student Handbook or “Student Rights, Regulation and Responsibilities” they will be asked to show their ID card.  If a student does not have an ID card they will be asked to leave the campus.  If a student refuses to leave, the police will be notified and the student will be charged with trespassing.  The ID cards will also serve as the library card.

On Campus Crime Statistics for the Elizabeth City Campus, Dare County Campus and the Edenton-Chowan Campus (Reported Incidents by Year)