Campus Safety
Welcome Message
Spring Hill College, the safety and well-being of our campus community is our highest priority. The Public Safety Office – also serving as our campus police department – is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. Our team includes both public safety officers and sworn police officers who are specially trained to serve and engage with a college population. We take an educational and community-based approach to campus safety, working to build trust, foster accountability, and support student growth in alignment with our Jesuit mission. The Office operates 24/7, with a professional dispatch team stationed at the front gate house to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of our community. Whether it’s responding to emergencies, offering safety escorts, or helping a student who is locked out, our team is here to help.
We are proud to be a visible, approachable, and supportive presence on campus, and we’re committed to partnering with students, faculty, and staff to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all.
Mission
The mission of the Spring Hill College Public Safety Office is to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment through service, partnership, and education. We are committed to protecting the dignity and well-being of every member of the community while upholding the values of integrity, justice, and compassion that define our Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Through proactive engagement and a student-centered approach, we strive to be a trusted and approachable resource for safety, support, and education.
Values
- Cura Personalis – Care for the whole person – we treat every individual with dignity and respect, recognizing the unique backgrounds, needs, and experiences of those we serve.
- Community – We believe safety is a shared responsibility. We work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to build a strong, inclusive, and engaged campus community where everyone feels welcome and protected.
- Justice – We uphold fairness, accountability, and ethical conduct in all that we do. Our team is committed to equitable treatment and the protection of rights for everyone on campus.
- Service – In the spirit of our Jesuit identity, we serve with humility, empathy, and purpose. Our work is grounded in a desire to help others and contribute positively to the lives of our students, faculty, staff and broader community.
- Education – We view every interaction as an opportunity to educate and empower. Whether through outreach, conflict resolution or safety programs, we support students in making informed, responsible decisions.
Emergency Information
Your safety is our top priority. In the event of an emergency, Spring Hill College Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond quickly and effectively. Resources are listed below:
What to do in an emergency
- Call Public Safety Immediately: if you experience or witness an emergency on campus, contact Public Safety right away.
- Public Safety Emergency Number (24/7) 251.380.4444
This number connects you directly to our on-campus dispatcher, who will coordinate emergency response and support.
- Stay calm and follow instructions: Whether through a phone call, text alert, or HillSafe app notification, follow any instructions issued by Public Safety or College officials.
- Seek shelter or evacuate if needed: Depending on the emergency, you may be instructed to evacuate a building or shelter in place. Familiarize yourself with posted evacuation routes and shelter areas in your residence hall or academic building.
Timely Warnings
In the event that the health or safety of the Spring Hill College community is imminently threatened by an emergency or dangerous situation, the community will be immediately notified.
Spring Hill College maintains an annual contract with RAVE Mobile Safety, Inc. to provide a mass, high speed emergency communication system for all members of the campus community. All Spring Hill Community members are registered to receive emergency communication and other urgent information via text message and email. All members of the campus community are provided with information about the RAVE Emergency Notification System during orientation and new employee onboarding. To review your contact information, log into the Rave Mobile Safety Notification System.
In the event of an emergency, members of the community will receive detailed information through the activation of this mass notification system. The College will, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless the notification will compromise efforts to assist victims or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
We strongly encourage all students to download the HillSafe App, which offers quick and convenient access to safety resources. Whether reporting a concern or just want peace of mind, HillSafe App helps keep you informed – right from your phone.
Features include:
- Direct contact with Public Safety
- Real-time emergency alerts and updates
- Safety check-ins/Friend walks
- Campus Resources
- Crisis Lifeline
- Confidential crime reporting
Download HillSafe today from the App Store or Google Play and stay connected and informed wherever you are on campus.
Emergency Management and Response
Spring Hill College maintains an emergency management plan to assist in the preparation, response and mitigation of loss during an emergency situation that affects the College community. The Emergency Management Plan is intended to establish policies, procedures and organizational structure for response to emergencies that are of a magnitude to cause a significant disruption of the functioning of all or portions of the College. This plan defines the roles and responsibilities of departments, units and personnel during emergency situations. The basic emergency procedures are designed to protect lives and property through effective use of college and community resources. Since an emergency may be sudden and without warning, these procedures are designed to be flexible in order to accommodate contingencies of various types and magnitudes.
The Emergency Management Plan addresses several specific types of emergencies on an individual basis, providing guidelines for the stabilization and recovery from the incident. These include emergency instructions in a concise format for the individuals designated to manage College resources.
Services Provided
The Spring Hill College Public Safety Office provides a wide range of services to promote the safety, security, and well-being of our campus community. Our team is here 24/7 to assist students, faculty, staff and visitors with both emergency and non-emergency needs.
24/7 Campus Patrol – Our officers regularly patrol campus on foot and in vehicles to maintain a
safe environment. Patrols focus on prevention, visibility, and rapid response.
Emergency Response – In any emergency – medical, safety related or otherwise, our dispatch team and officers are trained to respond quickly and professionally. We coordinate with local emergency services when needed.
Crime Investigations – Our sworn police officers are responsible for conducting thorough and professional investigations of crimes that occur on campus. They have authority to enforce laws and collaborate with local agencies when necessary.
Safety Escorts – Public Safety offers walking escorts for students who feel unsafe traveling alone on campus, particularly after dark.
Lost & Found – Items turned in are logged and stored at the Public Safety Office.
Event Security – Public Safety collaborates with campus partners to provide event security to support crowd management, access control and emergency readiness. Proper documented requests must be submitted in advance.
Crime Prevention & Safety Education – We collaborate with student groups and campus offices to promote awareness and prevention by providing training and educational programs on topics such as: Personal Safety, Alcohol Awareness, Theft Prevention.
Parking and Traffic Enforcement – We manage campus parking permits, enforce traffic regulations, and assist with vehicle – related concerns. Visit our office for assistance or information about parking policies.
Campus Safety Resources
Parking and Public Transportation
All vehicles parked on campus must be registered with Public Safety and should display the proper decal (hang tag for Faculty/Staff). In the event that an unregistered vehicle is seen consistently on campus, Public Safety will make every possible attempt to locate the owner of the vehicle and notify them that compliance is necessary. If the owner cannot be found, the vehicle is subject to being towed off of campus at the owner’s expense.
Driver should register their vehicle in the following manner:
• https://portal.permitsales.net/driverportal/SpringHillClg
• Enter your last name and your student ID #
• Choose the appropriate registration type
• Fill in the requested information and submit
The registration fee will be charged to the student’s financial account and students should pick up their decal in the Public Safety Office.
Waiver of Fee: Fee will be waived for students with an SHC Vanity License Plate on their car. To show proof once you’ve completed your vehicle registration E-MAIL a Photo of your Vanity Plate along with your Name, and Student ID Number to parking@shc.edu have the fee waived at the time your permit is issued.
Residential students will be issued a Residential Parking Permit and are only permitted to park in the Residence Hall parking lots.
Commuter students will be issued a Commuter Parking Permit.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the federal Clery Act, Spring Hill College publishes an Annual Security & Fire Safety Report each year. This report provides important information about campus crime, statistics, safety policies, emergency procedures, and fire safety in residence halls. It is intended to keep our campus community informed and support transparency and accountability in maintaining a safe environment.
Past years reports can be viewed below:
Mental Health Support
We believe that mental and emotional well-being are essential to student success. SHC offers free, confidential counseling services through the Counseling & Wellness Center to all currently enrolled students.
Counseling appointments can be scheduled by emailing wellnesscenter@shc.edu or call 251.380.4195.
Additional information about Counseling and Wellness Services can be found HERE.
Missing Student Policy
Missing Resident Student Notification Policy provides the procedures for reporting, investigating, and making emergency notifications regarding any currently enrolled resident student of Spring Hill College who is believed to be missing. This policy is a good faith effort to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). A student shall be deemed missing when:
- He/she is absent from the College or has been reported missing by another individual without any known reason; and
- When his/her absence is inconsistent with his/her established patterns of behavior; and
- The deviation cannot be explained. Before presuming that a student is missing, reasonable measures should be taken to determine whether or not anyone familiar with the student has seen or heard from the person recently or is aware of where they may be.
Any member of the Spring Hill College campus community, including students, faculty, and staff, who is concerned that a student is missing should contact the Dean of Students (251-380-3023), Residence Life (251-380-3028), or the Spring Hill College Department of Public Safety (251- 380-4444), as soon as it is determined that the student is missing as defined above.
In emergency situations, the Dean of Students, or the Spring Hill College Department of Public Safety, will contact the Mobile Police Department immediately (911 or 251-208-7211). The Mobile Police Department must be notified if a student is missing for more than 24 hours.
The Dean of Students Office is required by law to inform the individual identified by the missing student as their emergency contact within 24 hours of making the determination that the student is missing.
- If the missing student is under the age of 18, the Dean of Students is required by law to notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian (as contained in the records of Spring Hill College) within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing.
- The Vice President of Student Affairs or the Dean of Students shall initiate whatever action he/she deems appropriate under the circumstances in the best interest of the missing student.
Title IX Office
The Public Safety Office works closely with the Title IX Office to ensure the safety and well-being of students impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. While the Title IX focuses on administrative and supportive responses within the college, our Police Officers may conduct an independent criminal investigation if the report meets the threshold for a potential crime.
Our team is trained to respond with care, provide immediate support, and connect students with appropriate campus resources. Reporting to Public Safety does not automatically trigger a Title IX process, and students have the right to choose how and where to report.
For more information or to file a Title IX report, please visit our Title IX page HERE.
Office of Violence Prevention
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) leads efforts to educate and raise awareness about sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. Our team coordinates prevention programming, campus-wide initiatives, and response strategies to support a safer, more informed community.
Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, OVP focuses on expanding prevention education, increasing access to support resources, and empowering students with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. Our work centers on five core pillars: Support, Prevention, Education, Advocacy, and Knowing Your Rights.
For additional information about OVP and services please visit our website HERE
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that strengthens protections and support for individuals affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. VAWA ensures that survivors have access to resources, fair disciplinary processes, and clear reporting options. At Spring Hill College, we are committed to upholding these protections and fostering a safe, respectful campus environment.
Click here to view our VAWA rights and resources brochure.
Registered Sex Offender Information
In compliance with the Clery Act, Spring Hill College provides information about registered sex offenders in the state of Alabama. This information is available through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Community Information Center.
To access the registry, please visit: https://app.alea.gov/community/default.aspx
Victim Notification of Disciplinary Proceedings Outcomes
In accordance with the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Title IX, SHC is committed to transparency and support for victims of campus related crimes.
Victims of the following offenses are entitled to receive written notification of the final results of any institutional disciplinary proceeding involving the alleged offender, regardless of whether the institution concludes a violation occurred:
- Sexual assault (including rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape)
- Domestic Violence
- Dating Violence
- Stalking
- Other crimes of violence as defined by federal law
The notification will include:
- Name of respondent
- Nature of violation
- Any sanctions imposed by the college
- Rationale for the outcome
- Notification of any appeal procedures and results
Both complainant and respondent will receive simultaneous written notification of these outcomes. SHC ensures that this information is provided in a timely and respectful manner and that it is treated with appropriate privacy protections, consistent with federal law.
For more information, contact Dr. Vannee Cao-Nguyen, Title IX Coordinator or Dr. Desiree Melton, Dean of Students.
Meet the Public Safety Team
Our Public Safety team is made up of dedicated professionals including dispatchers, public safety officers, sworn police officers – all bringing years of experience and deep commitment to the Spring Hill College community. More than just first responders, our team members approach their work with compassion, care, and an educational mindset that reflects our Jesuit values.
Interim Director, Eddie Gonzalez
Sergeant Arlan Gaines
Class A Public Safety Officer Chris Van Brunt
Class A Public Safety Officer Reid Van Bogart
Public Safety Officer Ross Devery
Public Safety Officer Ellius Davis
Dispatcher Winifred Aldridge
Dispatcher Tasheanna McBride
Dispatcher Latoria Morrisette
Dispatcher Mikeisha Mose