VII. Campus Safety

Every year the OCU Police Department publishes a report detailing the crimes committed on campus as well as the campus safety policies and procedures.

Visit the OCUPD website to view the report.

Sign up for Blue Alert Emergency Notifications

Blue Alert is OCU’s method of alerting the campus community in the event of a disaster, weather emergency, terrorist attack, etc. The system uses both email and text messaging to broadcast the alert. The system is only used for emergency announcements and not for day-to-day information dissemination.

Students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians can register to receive Blue Alert emergency notifications via the Blue Alert.

Click here to sign up for the BlueAlert Emergency Notification System.*

*Here you will also find an option to opt-out from the service

Reporting of Incidents/Threats

OCU Police will promptly and thoroughly investigate all reports of any crime or incident including threats of (or actual) violence and of suspicious individuals or activities. The identity of the reporting party will be protected to the greatest extent possible.

Anyone determined to be responsible for criminal activity or any other conduct that is in violation of University policies will be subject to prompt disciplinary action, up to and including, suspension or dismissal from the University with the possibility of criminal charges being filed with the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office.

Medical Emergencies

1. Remain calm and quickly assess the situation.
2. Call 911 and/or OCUPD (405-208-5911).
3. OCU Police Department will come to your location to assist you and to assist local emergency responders.
4. Remain calm and help the victim relax. Try to keep the victim warm and comfortable until experienced medical help arrives.
5. EMSA or other community emergency responders will come to the University at no charge. The patient is charged only if transported to a local hospital.

Violent Crime

1. Determine if anyone is injured.
2. Contact the OCUPD (405-208-5911).
3. Keep an eye on the suspect, if you can safely do so, and stay on the line with the police dispatcher.
4. Have witnesses and/or victims remain until the proper authorities arrive.

Non-violent Crime (i.e. Theft, Property Damage, etc.)

• Contact the OCU Police (405-208-5001).

Bomb Threats

1. Remain calm, courteous, and professional.
2. Do not place the caller on hold or attempt to transfer the call.
3. Allow the caller to complete everything he or she has to say. Never argue with or ridicule the caller. Let the caller know you want to save lives and urge him or her to help you.
4. Take notes or record the call if possible. When possible, have someone responsible quietly listen in on the conversation if you are unable to record it.
5. Call the OCU Police (405-208-5911).

Suicide

If an attempt is verbalized:

1. Ask the individual why they to commit suicide. If the individual has a specific plan and intends to complete the act of suicide and has the means to do so, contact OCUPD immediately (405-208-5911). Give the dispatcher your location and a brief description of the situation and stay on the line until instructed to hang up. Contact OCUPD if you suspect someone is contemplating suicide.
2. Continue to engage the individual in conversation. Ask the individual open-ended questions to encourage conversation and offer hope in any way.
3. Do not provide judgment on the thoughts of the individual and do not label their thoughts or behaviors. Look for anything good in what the individual has to say and repeat it in the form of a question or kind statement.
4. Stay with the individual until an officer has arrived. Do not transport the individual.

If an attempt is made:

1. Call the OCUPD (405-208-5911) and provide information to the dispatcher as to location and situation.
2. Do not transport the individual. Assess the situation and do not proceed in applying first aid if you are untrained or the situation poses a threat to your safety. If it is determined that an ambulance is necessary, please contact 911 or OCUPD inmeditely.
3. Obtain as much information as possible so you can share with the officer upon arrival.
4. If the individual has overdosed, attempt to determine what substance was ingested and in what quantity. Do not induce vomiting unless advised by medical personnel.
5. If the situation allows for you to safely remain with the individual, stay with them until OCUPD arrives. Once the officer has arrived, be on the lookout for the ambulance and direct them to the location.
6. If the suicide attempt involves a firearm, DO NOT touch or move the weapon unless it is necessary for the safety of you and others.

Seeking support for yourself after providing assistance in these situations may be helpful. Please contact University Counseling at 208-7901 or the Office of Religious Life at 208-5484 to speak with someone about self-care.

Suicide Prevention Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Oklahoma’s Community Crisis Connection: 848-2273 (CARE), Statewide: 1-800-273-8255
• University Counseling: (405) 208-7902

Reporting Missing Students

If a member of the university community has reason to believe that a student who resides on-campus is missing, he or she should immediately notify the OCUPD at 405-208-5911 or 405-208-5001 or the Dean of Students Office at 405-208-7900.

Upon receiving information that a student cannot be located and may be missing, OCUPD officers and Dean of Students will coordinate an investigation which may include the following:

• Conduct welfare check into the student’s on-campus room, if applicable.
• Call the student’s cell phone of record.
• Call known contacts (parents, guardians, coaches, roommates and friends).
• Review student’s known social media accounts and university email.
• Call the student’s confidential emergency contact if one has been registered.
• Contact employers and associates, if known.
• Contact instructors to ascertain the student’s recent class attendance.
• If applicable, OCUPD will attempt to locate the student’s vehicle.
• If applicable, OCUPD can utilize specific law enforcement investigative procedures in cooperation with its partner agency, OCPD.

If the student cannot be located after reasonable efforts, OCUPD will notify the Oklahoma City Police Department no later than 24 hours after the student has been reported missing. Following notification of the appropriate law enforcement authority the University will cooperate in the investigation and aid in locating the missing person.

Click here to visit the OCUPD website.

Click on the “Annual Security Report” to view section "Missing Students" for more information.

General Parking Regulations

• Motor vehicles must be parked only in spaces allocated and designated for the permit type displayed on the vehicle.
• Parking on campus is prohibited in areas other than those established for parking and marked by signs or other devices controlling their use.
• Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The issuance of a parking permit merely constitutes authorization to park if space is available.
• Motor vehicles must be parked within the boundaries of the single parking space used. The fact that other motor vehicles may have parked improperly does not constitute an excuse for parking any part of your motor vehicle outside the space boundaries.
• The responsibility for finding a legal parking space rests with the vehicle operator. Lack of space in a particular lot is not a valid excuse for violating parking regulations, and will not be considered as a valid basis for appeal.
• Double-parking or parking in any position that prevents other vehicles from entering or exiting their legal parking spaces is prohibited.
• Vehicles parking on a street must be parked the same direction as the flow of traffic in the adjacent lane.
• Parking on sidewalks or walkways is prohibited for ALL motor vehicles. The only exception made is for golf carts.
• Motorcycles and scooters may park in any valid parking space. Motorcycles or scooters shall not be parked on sidewalks, patios or in breezeways.
• The responsibility to pay tickets written to any vehicle remains with the registered owner of the parking permit displayed.

Student Parking

• Student parking permit restrictions are enforced 365 days a year in all parking areas
• Currently enrolled students at OCU are not “Visitors” and therefore not eligible to park in “Visitor Parking” spaces.
• Cokesbury Apartments and United Methodist Hall permitted motor vehicles may only be parked in their respective complexes with the exception of weekends between 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Monday.
• Students holding university employment in student positions are not eligible for employee parking privileges.
• Students appointed as full-time university employees may choose to be designated either as a student or as faculty/staff regarding parking, but may not be designated as both.

Guest/Visitor Parking

Spaces identified by signage for use by visitors or Admissions guests are reserved for first come first serve basis their use between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Persons affiliated with the university as employees, students, office occupants, or tenants shall not park any vehicle, registered with the university or not, in a visitor/admissions guest parking space.

One Hour Parking

Spaces identified as “One-Hour Parking” may be used by students, staff, faculty, and guests visiting the University on a temporary basis. No parking permit is required to park in these parking spaces. However, remaining in a One-Hour Parking space for more than one hour will constitute an “Incorrect Parking” and/or “Expired Parking” violation. One-hour parking spaces are designed to allow everyone equal access to services offered by the University.

Special Event Parking

Individuals or departments planning to conduct short courses, workshops, conferences, or special events to which persons from off-campus will be invited should inform the OCU Police Department as soon as possible, preferably one (1) month, and no less than 2 weeks, in advance of the event, regarding the anticipated attendance, duration of the event, and special parking or traffic management requirements utilizing Schooldude, email, or by phone call.

Students, faculty members, or staff may apply in advance for temporary parking permits for individuals or groups whom they invite to the campus. Sufficient advance notice should be given to the OCU Police Department [minimum of one (1) week] to make appropriate arrangements utilizing Schooldude.

From time to time parking areas may be barricaded, roped off, or otherwise marked as reserved for university guests or for public safety. Students, staff, and faculty who disregard these barriers are subject to ticketing and/or impoundment of vehicles.

Parking Permits

All motor vehicles parked at the University must have a valid parking permit or authorization from the OCUPD. Each person purchasing/obtaining a permanent parking permit will be issued one permit that is transferable to any vehicle driven by the permit owner. One additional permit may be purchased for $10.00.

Obtaining a Parking Permit

• Anyone desiring a University parking permit must complete a registration form online at okcu.edu/financialaid/parking-permit.
• Parking permits may be obtained at the Student Accounts Office located on the 3rd floor of the Clara Jones Administration Building.
• Any person who gives false information on the application/registration form may be subject to fines and/or university disciplinary action.
• Permits will be billed to the student’s university account, or direct payments may be made at the Office of Student Account Services during regular business hours.
• Permits are available on or after August 1 of each year.

Parking Permit Placement

• University permits shall be affixed to the driver's side, lower corner, and rear window.
• Temporary permits shall be hung from the rear-view mirror with the permit number visible from the front of the vehicle.
• Motorcycle permits shall be affixed to the left-hand fork or if applicable a standard university permit may be displayed on the lower left-hand corner of the windshield.
• Motor vehicles without an appropriately placed parking permit are subject to citation.

Temporary Parking Permits

Students, faculty, and staff with a current parking permit or vendors may receive up to three free temporary permits per year. Each temporary permit shall only be valid for a maximum of two weeks and are not to be used consecutively. Temporary permits may be obtained from the OCUPD at any time or from Student Accounts.

Lost or Stolen Permits

Lost or stolen permits must be reported immediately to the OCUPD regardless of the location at which the loss/theft occurred. Any vehicle displaying a parking permit that has been reported lost or stolen will be issued a citation and the vehicle impounded.

Parking Ticket Appeals

• Tickets must be appealed within 10 calendar days of issuance. Appeals turned in more than 10 days after issuance of the ticket will not be considered.
• To appeal a citation, go to the OCUPD office, located at 1635 NW 23rd Street, to obtain and complete an appeal form.
• The parking citation appeal form requires the recipient to plead either “not guilty” or “guilty.” A “not guilty” plea means the recipient disputes the officer’s claim that parking regulations were violated. A plea of “guilty” is an admission to having violated parking regulations because of extenuating circumstances and the appeal will be forwarded to the Chief of Police. If the student disagrees with the Chief’s decision, the student may appeal to the Student Court.
• Students must sign up for a date to appear before the “Student Court”. Any student appealing a ticket is required to appear before the Student Court in person. Students will be fined $25.00 if they sign up to appear before the Student Court and fail to attend.
• Faculty and staff appeals are heard by the “Staff Council”. The Faculty/Staff appeals committee is comprised of staff and/or faculty members that meet monthly to review appeals. Only written appeals will be considered.
• The decisions of the Staff Council or Student Court are final and binding.

Payment for Parking Tickets

• Students are not allowed to enroll, pay tuition or receive transcripts without first paying parking fines/fees charged to their account. OCUPD does not accept payment for parking tickets.
• All parking citations should be paid in person at the Office of Student Account Services. 
• Do not send cash in the U.S. or campus mail. The University will not be responsible for cash lost in the mail.

Penalties

Students, faculty, and staff accruing more than five tickets during any academic year may receive additional penalties including but not limited to additional fines, loss of parking privileges, and vehicle impound. An “Immobilizer boot” may also be placed on any vehicle that has received 3 or more unbillable citations. An additional fee is required to remove the boot. Vehicles booted for longer than 15 days will be impounded.

Vehicle Impound

• Students, faculty, and staff whose vehicles are impounded must visit the OCUPD office and bring: (1) Proof of ownership; (2) Proof of vehicle insurance; and (3) Valid U.S. State Driver’s License.
• The impounded vehicle owner must be able to prove ownership of the vehicle through a bill of sale or verification of registration.
• The impounded vehicle owner must have proof of insurance and a valid driver’s license or bring someone who will be driving with a valid driver’s license.
• An impounded vehicle fee of $100.00 cash is due to OCUPD for vehicle processing. After paying the fee, you will receive an impound release slip that must be presented at the impound lot.
• The towing company used by the University will also have a separate release and impound fee that is set and regulated by the State of Oklahoma.
• Vehicles parked or in operation with expired insurance or registration may be impounded according to state law.