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UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
The Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia pursuant to the authority set forth under the District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act Amendments (Act) effective January 2, 1976 (D.C. Law 1-36; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-1202.01(a) and 38-1202.06)(3),(13) (2001 & 2011 Supp.) hereby gives notice of its intent to amend chapter 6 (Campus Life) of subtitle B (University of the District of Columbia) of title 8 (Higher Education) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.
The purpose of the proposed rule is to comply with the Campus Safety Act, also known as the Jeanne Clery Act, which requires college and universities to report annual crime statistics, provide timely warnings of serious crimes when there may be a threat to others, and to keep a public log of campus incidents. The Board of Trustees will take final action to adopt these amendments to the University Rules in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.
Chapter 6, CAMPUS LIFE, of subtitle B, UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, of title 8, HIGHER EDUCATION, of the DCMR is amended as follows:
A new section 619 is added to read as follows:
619 EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS
619.1 The University of the District of Columbia is committed to providing students, faculty, and staff with timely notification of emergencies that may present a serious or ongoing threat to the University community.
619.2 The University’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management, in consultation with the President or his or her designee, shall establish an emergency response and evacuation procedures in compliance with applicable law.
619.3 An emergency notification is used for the purpose of informing the University community of a potentially dangerous situation.
619.4 All incidents that demonstrate potential safety or security risks to members of the University community shall be reported to the Chief of Public Safety and Emergency Management or his or her designee.
619.5 All emergency notifications shall be disseminated via e-mail, DC Alert, social networks, UDC website and related University websites, and local media outlets.
619.6 The University shall conduct both “evacuation drills” and “shelter in place drills,” which may either be announced or unannounced at the discretion of University officials. Such drills shall be conducted on an annual basis.
619.7 The University shall publicize its emergency response and evacuation procedures in conjunction with at least one test in a manner designed to reach students and staff.
619.8 Levels of Emergency include:
(a) Level 1 – a minor incident that is quickly resolved and has little or no impact on personnel or normal operations outside the locally affected area;
(b) Level 2 – a major emergency that disrupts sizeable portions of the campus community and may affect mission critical functions or life and safety, and which may require assistance from external organizations; and
(c) Level 3 – a major crisis or disaster involving the campus and/or surrounding community, including a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff.
619.9 Administrative Chain of Authority- the order in which University Administrators assume authority in the event of an emergency. The Chain of Authority would be as follows:
(a) President;
(b) Provost;
(c) Community College Chief Executive Officer;
(d) Vice President of Facilities;
(e) Vice President of Human Resources;
(f) Vice President of Student Affairs;
(g) Vice President of Communications;
(h) Managing Director of Finance;
(i) Vice President of Government Relations;
(j) General Counsel; and
(k) Vice Provost.
All persons desiring to comment on the subject matter of the proposed rulemaking should file comments in writing not later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register. Comments should be filed with the Office of General Counsel, Building 39- Room 301-Q, University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Comments may also be submitted by email to smills@udc.edu. Individuals wishing to comment by email must include the phrase “Comment to Proposed Rulemaking: in the subject line. Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained from the Office of General Counsel at the address set forth above.
