Campus Safety, Security, and Risk Management Policy

I. PREAMBLE

Atlas University regards every life entrusted to its care as sacred. Safety and order are not administrative conveniences but expressions of covenantal responsibility—acts of obedience to the divine charge to guard what has been given. This Policy therefore establishes the systems through which the University protects its people, property, and mission.

II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

  1. To safeguard students, faculty, staff, visitors, and property.

  2. To ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations, including the Clery Act, Title IX, OSHA, FERPA, and the Florida Statutes governing emergency management.

  3. To mitigate risk, prevent loss, and maintain operational continuity during crises.

  4. To cultivate a campus culture of vigilance, preparedness, and compassion.

This Policy applies to all University campuses, centers, and online divisions.

III. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

  • PresidentOverall executive authority; ensures institutional readiness and legal compliance.

  • Chief Safety Officer (CSO)Directs the Campus Safety Department and implements this policy.

  • Risk Management Committee (RMC)Multidisciplinary advisory body chaired by the CSO.

  • Dean of Students & Spiritual LifeOversees student welfare, counseling, and crisis-response communication.

  • Facilities & Security ServicesMaintains infrastructure integrity and environmental health.

  • Information Technology DirectorManages cybersecurity and data-protection protocols.

  • IV. CAMPUS SECURITY PROGRAM

1. Campus Security Department

A professional, uniformed security team operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Officers are licensed under Fla. Stat. § 493 and trained in first aid, CPR, conflict de-escalation, and emergency response.

2. Access Control

  • Electronic ID-card system for all buildings.

  • Visitor registration and escort policy.

  • Closed-circuit surveillance covering public areas, monitored by the Security Operations Center.

3. Crime Prevention

  • Annual safety education and awareness programs.

  • Regular security audits of lighting, landscape, and building access.

  • Partnership with local law enforcement for patrol coordination and information exchange.

4. Clery Act Compliance

The University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, including crime statistics and prevention programs, by October 1 each year.

V. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1. Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

The EOP defines preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation procedures for:

  • Fire and hazardous materials

  • Medical emergencies and pandemics

  • Severe weather and natural disasters

  • Active-threat or violence incidents

  • Cyber or data-security breaches

2. Incident Command Structure

Atlas employs the National Incident Management System (NIMS) model:

  • Incident Commander: Chief Safety Officer

  • Operations Section: Security & Facilities

  • Planning Section: Risk Management Committee

  • Logistics Section: HR and Finance

  • Public Information Officer: Director of Communications

3. Notification Systems

  • Atlas Alert: multi-channel emergency notification via text, email, siren, and campus screens.

  • Public Address System: real-time voice guidance in all main buildings.

  • Website Banner & Social Media Integration: managed by Communications Office.

4. Drills and Training

  • Fire drills twice per year in every facility.

  • Active-threat and lockdown drills annually.

  • Table-top exercises for senior administration each spring.

VI. HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

  1. Occupational Safety: University complies with OSHA standards; laboratories and workshops inspected quarterly.

  2. Fire Safety: NFPA-compliant extinguishers, detectors, and sprinkler systems; inspections every six months.

  3. Chemical and Biohazard Control: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) maintained in all labs.

  4. Environmental Sustainability: Hazardous-waste disposal and energy conservation managed under the stewardship principle of creation care.

  5. Public Health: Coordination with Florida Department of Health for communicable-disease monitoring and vaccination campaigns.

VII. RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

  1. Risk Identification: Annual assessment of strategic, operational, financial, and reputational risks by the RMC.

  2. Risk Register: Maintained by the CSO; updated semi-annually.

  3. Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive property, liability, cyber, and professional insurance maintained at Board-approved levels.

  4. Event Risk Assessment: All major events require a pre-event safety plan and approval by the CSO.

  5. Business Continuity: Each division maintains a continuity plan covering critical functions, backup sites, and IT redundancy.

VIII. TITLE IX AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

  1. The University enforces zero tolerance for sexual harassment, discrimination, or violence.

  2. The Title IX Coordinator oversees investigations and victim support in coordination with the CSO and Dean of Students.

  3. Prevention training required annually for all students and employees.

IX. CYBERSECURITY AND DATA PROTECTION

  • Compliance with FERPA, GLBA, and the Florida Information Protection Act.

  • Mandatory annual cybersecurity awareness training.

  • Incident-response plan for data breaches coordinated with the IT Director and CSO.

X. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

  1. Crisis Communication Plan: Defines spokespersons, media protocol, and approval hierarchy.

  2. Transparency: Post-incident summaries shared with campus community while maintaining privacy compliance.

  3. Rumor Control: Centralized updates issued exclusively through official channels.

XI. TRAINING AND EDUCATION

  1. Mandatory orientation on safety and risk management for all new students and employees.

  2. Specialized certifications for laboratory, facilities, and security staff.

  3. Annual refresher courses delivered through the Atlas Learning Platform (ALP).

XII. AUDIT AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

  1. Annual internal safety audit by the Risk Management Committee.

  2. External third-party audit every three years.

  3. Metrics reported in the Institutional Effectiveness Report to demonstrate continuous improvement and compliance.

XIII. SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL FOUNDATION

Safety at Atlas University is an extension of love: the will to protect and preserve life as divine gift. Every officer and staff member is a guardian-priest of peace, charged to embody vigilance without fear and discipline without cruelty.

XIV. POLICY REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

This Policy is reviewed annually by the Risk Management Committee, approved by the President, and ratified by the Board of Trustees. Updates are disseminated immediately upon approval.