Safety Regulations

Authority and Jurisdiction

The Biola University Department of Campus Safety has the responsibility and authority to administer safety and law enforcement for the institution. The function is defined in part as the supervision of all activities that lead to the prevention, apprehension and investigation of crimes and criminal activity on university property. The Department of Campus Safety enforces a variety of criminal statutes originating from the federal and state municipal levels of government. Campus safety, along with the Department of Student Development, is also responsible for enforcing several areas of student behavior under the university code of conduct.

Responsibility

Biola University campus safety policies and procedures are aimed at safety and welfare. Help maintain safety by following all rules and regulations and by using common sense safety practices. It is the responsibility of each Biola community member to refrain from criminal activities and any other form of behavior that might endanger the safety and welfare of any community member.

Sleeping on Campus

Overnight sleeping on campus is only permitted in residential facilities. For reasons of safety, sleeping in vehicles, outside, or in non-residence buildings is not permitted and may result in being awakened by Campus Safety or University personnel, fines, or removal from campus.

Campus Safety Hold (registration hold)

Current and former students about whom there are significant safety concerns or who have excessive unresolved citations, may receive a hold on their registration from Campus Safety for the purpose of ensuring the safety concerns or citations are satisfactorily resolved before they complete registration. Students with a Campus Safety hold should contact Campus Safety at campus.safety@biola.edu or (562) 903-4877  to discuss what steps need to be taken to get the hold removed.

Disturbance during quiet hours: No one shall create loud or unnecessary noise, as defined in La Mirada Municipal Code between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. This code can be enforceable outside the time range indicated.

Failure to obey university official: Failure to obey the lawful instructions of a university official.

Furnishing alcohol to a minor under 21: Anyone providing alcohol or access to alcohol to a minor.

Giving unauthorized access to a closed building: No person shall give access into any closed university building to any unauthorized person.

Harassing telephone calls: Telephone calls or electronic communication with the intent to harass or annoy another person are prohibited by university policy and state law.

Lying to a university official: No student shall lie to, deceive or intentionally mislead a university official.

Possession of drug paraphernalia: The possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited by university policy and state law.

Possession of drugs: The possession of narcotics, prescription drugs prescribed to another individual, or any other controlled substance is prohibited by university policy as well as state and federal law.

Possession of firearm or unauthorized weapon: The possession or use of any type of weapon on Biola's campus is prohibited. Weapons include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, air guns, spear guns, blow guns, airsoft guns, paint pellet guns, toy guns (such as water, gel, nerf etc.), martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, crossbows, swords, knives, batons, clubs, TASERS, stun guns, and explosives of any type. Anyone found in possession of any unauthorized weapon on campus may be subject to disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

*Knives such as butter knives, paring knives, bread knives, and X-acto knives that have either a blunted blade or a sharpened blade less than 2 1/2 inches and are used for culinary or academic purposes are permitted, but must be properly stored (such as in a drawer or case).

Possession of fireworks: No person shall possess fireworks, as defined in La Mirada Municipal Code, on Biola property.

Possession or under the influence of alcohol: No person shall be in possession of alcohol as defined in Section 23004 of the California Alcoholic Beverage and Control Code, nor shall any person be under the influence of alcohol.

Propping building door open: No one is permitted to prop open a residence hall door or locked building door.

Refusing to identify self to campus safety officer: All persons on campus are required to present identification when asked by a Campus Safety official to do so.

Student misconduct: No person shall engage in misconduct as defined in any University Student Handbook, Housing Handbook, university policy and rules, local state and federal statutes. Examples include, but are not limited to, intentionally causing public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm; recklessly causing risk; conduct that disturbs the peace, endangers the morals, health or safety of persons; disrespect of, or refusing direction from university staff or faculty in the performance of their duties. Violators may also be subject to criminal charges, disciplinary referrals, and/or additional fines.

Tampering with a smoke detector: No one shall unlawfully tamper with a smoke detector.

Tampering with fire alarm: No person shall unlawfully tamper with, or unlawfully activate, a fire alarm, fire detector or other fire system.

Theft: Theft of another's property is prohibited by university policy and state law.

Throwing projectile at pedestrian or vehicle: No person shall throw a projectile at a pedestrian. No person shall throw a projectile at a vehicle or occupant thereof while on Biola property.

Under the influence of drugs: No person shall be under the influence of narcotics, prescription drugs prescribed to another individual, or any other controlled substance as defined by the La Mirada Municipal Code, as well as state and federal law.

For instructions and to submit an appeal visit Citation Appeals.

Appeals must be submitted within two weeks (14 days) of the date the citation was issued.

Denied appeals may be submitted to the chief of campus safety for further review. Contact the Department of Campus Safety office at (562) 903-4877 for more information.

1. What should I do if I receive a citation?
   1. Students — All citations must be paid online within 14 days or they will be billed to your student account.
   2. Staff/Faculty — All citations must be paid online within 14 days or they will be billed to your department.
   3. Visitors — If you are a visitor, please come to the Campus Safety Administrative Office for further information. If you believe the citation to be in error, you may appeal the citation. Instructions for appeal are on the back of the citation.
   
   
2. How do I appeal a citation? Citation appeals must be made online within 14 business days of the violation.


3. How do I pay for a citation that I received? If you are a student, citations must be paid online within 14 days or they will be billed to your student account and may be paid at the Accounting Office. If you are not a student, citations must be paid online.


4. How much is my citation? The fine for each citation varies. See above for more information.