OCPS/OTC requires all students, employees, and visitors to display a photo ID badge for security purposes at all times. The following guidelines are to be adhered to by students and employees:

• Badges must be replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged and will be paid for by the badge owner
• Badges are to be clearly displayed on the front of shirt/blouse, above or at the waist
• Badges must be worn at all times while on campus
• Instructors will make a visual check for badges
• Instructors will not allow student access to class if a student’s badge is not properly displayed
• Students without badges must purchase one or leave campus (high school students must be referred to the Administrative Dean)

Administrators will schedule building checks to ensure badges are being worn and checked as prescribed. Persons attending orientation or conducting business on campus must display a temporary badge.

Lost and found articles should be promptly reported to the Administrative Dean. Orange Technical College cannot reimburse the cost of any items that are lost by students. It is recommended not to bring any personal items to campus. Cars should be locked at all times. Any valuables that must be left in a car should be in the trunk or out of sight. Each student is responsible for their personal items. 

It is not advised to bring any personal items to campus. However, if you need to secure valuables. It is recommended to store them in a locked vehicle out of sight or in the trunk at all times. Each individual is responsible for their belongings.

Student Parking 

Designated student parking requires purchasing a parking decal, which is to be affixed to the vehicle. Disability parking spaces are provided for use with a valid Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles disabled parking permit. Temporary parking decals may be issued to students attending courses of less than 30 class hours. Additional parking information is provided in the campus orientation materials.
 

Visitor Parking 

At each OTC Campus, designated visitor parking spaces are available. Any other parking areas are restricted and require a campus parking decal to be affixed to the vehicle. A valid Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles disabled parking permit must be displayed to park in designated disability parking spaces. Visitors must report to the administration building for a visitor ID badge.

If visiting the Ronald Blocker Educational Center (RBELC), there is a visitor parking area. This is for non-OCPS employees visiting the facility for OCPS business. A parking attendant will direct visitors to the designated area.

All Orange Technical College (OTC) community members are encouraged to report all crimes and other emergencies directly to local law enforcement. All employees are to contact the OCPS District Police. To report a crime or an emergency, members of the community have the following options:

• Call 9-1-1 for any situation that requires immediate police, fire, or medical response;
• Contact designated Campus Security Authority, OCPS District Police at 407-317-3333, or an administrator at any OTC campus locations who can assist with requesting non-emergency law enforcement services; or
• Report a crime anonymously by submitting a tip using the FortifyFL Suspicious Activity Reporting App GetFortifyFL

Orange County Public Schools seeks to offer a safe working and learning environment for all students and employees. In the spirit of the Jessica Lunsford Act and adhering to OCPS policy, individuals convicted as a Sexual Predators or Sexual Offenders may not enroll in our schools.

Federal and State laws require that colleges and universities inform students and staff about obtaining information about convicted, registered sex offenders. Information about registered sex offenders can be found on The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Sexual Offenders and Predators Search webpage.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement can also be reached at Enforcement and Investigative Support Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489. You can also phone 1-888-357-7332 (toll-free) between the hours of 8:00 and 5:00 EST, or 1-850-410-8572 (local) (M-F 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m, EST), or sexpred@fdle.state.fl.us

Anyone visiting an OCPS campus must sign in at the administrative area’s information desk.

Visitors must present a government-issued photo ID to enter the campus. Individuals are also checked against a national sex-offender registry using a district-wide visitor management system. Visitors given permission will receive a pass to display while on campus.

Students may not bring visitors or pets to campus. 

The Orange Technical College is a valuable asset to the Central Florida community. Protecting that asset and ensuring that the students and staff are safe requires a community-wide commitment. Developing a sense of awareness and cooperation among our campus community is essential to the accomplishment of our mission of safety. How can you help? “If you see something, say something.” This slogan can offer significant returns to safeguarding our campus community members who study, work, and visit our campuses.

OCPS District Police (DP) is committed to ensuring the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff. OCPS DP act as a liaison with local law enforcement to ensure services are available for all OCPS traditional schools and technical colleges.  Referred to as agencies of jurisdiction, local law enforcement are the primary response agencies to campuses for emergencies, service calls, and/or to conduct criminal investigations. OCPS DP provides supplementary coverage that includes the authority to make arrests on all property owned by the School Board of Orange County. Comprised of sworn law enforcement personnel, K-9 detection unit, non-sworn district security officers, intelligence analysts, enterprise security systems unit, communications specialists, school safety and security administrators, Clery Act compliance administrator, and office management staff, the District Police provides the following services:

• Law enforcement services, as needed
• Uniformed security officers that conduct ID checks at select OTC locations
• Support during emergency response protocols
• Police Communications services for incidents and emergency notifications, 24/7/365
• K9 detection screenings, as needed – follow on Instagram @ coco_ocps
• Clery Act - administrative services

PHOTO: (Courtesy of the Clery Center)

The Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act (known as the Clery Act) is a federal consumer protection law enforced by the Department of Education’s Financial Aid Division. This law was enacted in response to her tragic death of Jeanne Clery, a first-year student at Lehigh University in 1986.

Her parents' advocacy aided in changing how information is distributed to members of campus communities. The Clery Act outlines campus safety policies and procedures, as well as guidelines and expectations for reporting crimes and providing prevention education. OTC is committed to adhering to the law’s requirements and creating a renewed culture around the various topics that encourage transparency.

In partnership with the OCPS District Police, we have implemented the Clery Act and Violence Against Women Act Compliance Policy, which is specific to the college community within the School Board Policy JB-Equal Education Opportunities. This policy aims to promote a safe and supportive environment for the campus community by upholding federal law requirements and fostering transparency, awareness, and education regarding campus safety.

• View the Equal Educational Opportunities Policy

• Collect, classify, and count crime reports and statistics for on-campus, public property, and non-campus facilities for the previous three calendar years, as well as maintain and make available upon request a Daily Crime Log;
• Issue emergency and timely warning notifications to the campus community;
• Provide information regarding policies and practices surrounding campus safety, education and prevention programs, and rights and options for victims;
• Publish the Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1st and submit crime statistics to the Department of Education by the required deadline.

*OTC does not offer housing for students; therefore, the college is exempt from publishing an Annual Fire Safety Report and creating a policy for reporting missing students.

The Clery Act includes four general categories of crime statistics; 

• Criminal Offenses
• Hate Crimes
• Violence Against Woman Act Offenses
• Liquor, Drug, and Weapon Arrests, and
• Referrals for campus disciplinary action

Refer to the Annual Security Report (ASR) section below for a complete list and definitions.

OTC recognizes that some may prefer to report to other individuals on campus other than law enforcement. The Clery Act identifies certain college officials and offices as Campus Security Authority (CSA).

• A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution.
• Any individuals responsible for campus security who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department. i.e., parking enforcement staff that control or monitor access to campus property, contract or event security, or those who provide safety escorts around campus.
• Any individual or organization specified in an institution’s statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offenses.
• An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. i.e., student discipline and campus judicial proceedings.
• CSAs at OTC include, but are not limited to: OCPS District Police, OCPS District Security Officers, OTC Dean of Discipline, OTC school-based Title IX Coordinators, OTC Senior Director, Assistant Director, or faculty/staff that oversees extra-curricular activities or student groups that has significant responsibility for students and campus activities.

The annual crime statistics disclosure includes reports submitted to OCPS District Police, local law enforcement agencies, and CSAs. Reports submitted are assessed for issuance of a Timely Warning Notification when deemed necessary.

When reporting a crime on campus, contact a CSA. The CSA will ask questions to ensure your safety and the campus community's safety and report any Clery Act crimes. CSAs must report any allegations of Clery Act crimes and record all crimes on or around our campuses. If a CSA is unsure about an incident, they must report it. It's important to note that CSAs are not responsible for investigating or apprehending alleged perpetrators. A CSA is not to pressure a victim to contact law enforcement if the victim chooses not to do so.

If you report to a CSA, your identity will be protected from public disclosure.

Notice of Availability: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

The college publishes an Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1st of each year. The ASR provides the most recent crime statistics, campus safety information, education & prevention programs, and other information under federal law. OTC encourages all students and employees to review the ASR and become familiar with the available services and programs to help keep the campus safe.

You can obtain a copy of the ASR by contacting the OCPS District Police at 445 W. Amelia St. Orlando, FL 32801 or via phone at 407-317-3325. Information can also be obtained at any OTC campus location or by downloading the digital version of the Annual Security Report.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP)

Orange Technical College is committed to maintaining a drug-free campus and recognizes the risks associated with alcohol and controlled substance use in both the educational and workplace settings. In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (DFSCA), the college promotes a safe and healthy environment through its Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP).

The DAAPP provides important information on key topics for students and employees.

• Standards of conduct that prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
• Overview of legal sanctions for offenses under applicable laws.
• Summary of health risks linked to drug use and alcohol abuse.
• Information on available counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
• Disciplinary sanctions, including expulsion, termination, and prosecution for violations.

To access this information, you can download the digital version of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP) or visit any of the OTC campuses to request a printed copy.

OTC Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Training

Developed by Orange Technical College (OTC) and narrated by one of our talented OTC students, this self-paced course discusses substance abuse and addiction signs and provides tools to address them. It includes four brief modules:

• Module One (1): Drug Classification Overview of Schedule One Drugs
• Module Two (2): Alcohol and Tobacco
• Module Three (3) Drug Classification and Associated Drugs
• Module Four (4) Awareness and Response 

Explore additional resources this training provides, and complete a brief End of-the-Course Survey to share your feedback!

Closed captioning is available for accessibility.

• Click here to access the Alcohol and Other Drugs Training registration sheet.

ATTENTION EMPLOYEES: 

Self-registration for the Did You Know? Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Training course in the PD Catalog on Canvas is now available and ongoing.

Designed with the OTC community in mind, this course is available to all employees curious about this important topic. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or gain new skills, these courses offer valuable insights and resources that can benefit everyone.

• Click here to access the Alcohol and Other Drugs Training for Employees course.

Every year, colleges and universities nationwide come together to recognize National Awareness Month. During this time, we focus on important topics like Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Assault, and Campus Safety. These discussions are meant to create awareness and provide support for anyone who may need it. We also take the opportunity to talk about the campus safety resources available at our institution. If you need it, we've listed on- and off-campus resources below for students and employees.

If needed, on- and off-campus resources are listed below for students and employees. 

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Kristin's Krusade Joins Clery Center as a Dating Violence Prevention Initiative

This video is optional for participants. This film discusses dating violence and maybe a topic that can be difficult for some viewers. 

This video was developed by the Clery Center to help viewers understand the spectrum of behaviors that fall under dating violence.

Information within the video will guide viewers on further details and access to resources to become positive bystanders in their communities to help demonstrate healthy and positive behaviors in their own relationships.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The college acquired SPARC Go, an online training developed by SUNY, entitled "Sexual & Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course." This courseoffers tools to understand interpersonal violence and navigate ways of responding. This is an optional course for the campus community and is approximately 30 minutes, with the option to stop and start if needed.

Content is researched-based and separated into three (3) modules.

• Module one (1) talks through various forms of sexual harassment and defines dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and consent
• Module two (2) goes through several resources such as Title IX, reporting options, and national hotlines for support
• Module three (3) discusses safe ways to be an active bystander and provides external resources to help identify healthy relationships and ways to help end violence.

   *Additional references are accessible within this training, along with a short end-of-the-course survey.

A trigger warning, as well as on- and off-campus resources are provided in this optional training. Content contains topics involving sexual and interpersonal violence, which some viewers may find sensitive.

*This is a zero-cost/credit training for educational, awareness, and informational purposes. Employees will have access to this course through the PD Canvas Catalog. 

• Click here to access the SPARC Go sign up sheet. 

Under the Clery Act, if a student or an employee reports to the college that they have been the victim of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, whether the offense occurred on or off campus, the college will provide a written explanation of your rights and options, including on-campus and off-campus resources.

All students and employees are encouraged to review the Orange Technical College Written Notification Guide and become acquainted with the available services and resources.

Download the digital version of the Orange Technical College Written Notification Guide or request a copy by visiting any OTC campus.

• On-Campus Resources
• Off-Campus Resources

Our dedication to our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is paramount. To promote a safe environment, Orange Technical College (OTC) follows the OCPS Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and collaborates with the OCPS Safety and Emergency Management Team. Your attention to safety and security while on campus will assist the OTC Community in creating a safe campus environment while ensuring we remain in compliance with the Federal laws that govern these matters. More information about these topics is available on OCPS Safety and Emergency Management website at Safety and emergency management.

An essential component of OTC’s emergency preparedness is you! Having students and employees who are informed and prepared for emergency and evacuation situations results in fewer impacts and a quicker recovery process.

Our current students and employees are given the necessary resources to prepare for and respond to such incidents. On-campus drills, including emergency, severe weather, active assailant drills and training(s), and fire drills, are conducted regularly to ensure the safety of our campus community.

While procedures are standard across the district, each school individually tailors its plan to address the specific needs of the campus population. This action provides a coordinated effort of campus operations promoting preparedness, and tests district plans, policies, procedures, and systems.

Our goal is to work collaboratively with the community we serve to enhance your educational journey and the safety of our campus environment.

What is the Difference Between Mass Notifications?

Emergency Mass Notifications is through a multimedia communication system known as Everbridge, which provides timely and accurate information in an emergency

• OTC Alerts- The college recognizes an Emergency Notification as an “OTC Alert.” An OTC Alert will be issued if triggered by an event occurring on or near the campus that poses a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of the campus community
   
• Campus Safety Notice- The college recognizes a Timely Warning as a “Campus Safety Notice.” A Campus Safety Notice is applied to Clery Reportable Crimes reported to a CSA or local law enforcement, posing a serious or continuing threat to students and employees.
   
• OTC students and employees are automatically signed up to receive emergency notifications (OTC ALERT) & Timely Warnings (Campus Safety Notice) upon admission or employment onboarding. You may opt-out of these emergency notifications by calling the OCPS District Information Office (DIO) at (407) 317-3200 @ Ext. 2004119 or  by emailing your request to connectorange@ocps.net. Current or former students can update their contact information by contacting any OTC Campus Admission Office. Employees can utilize the employee web portal to update their profile information.

District announcements will continue to go out via School Messenger.

Sign-up is available to those that share campus locations.