Drone Usage

Download Catalog PDF Download Page PDF
  1. Purpose
    The Central Texas College District is committed to providing a safe environment to live and learn for all students, faculty and staff. This policy addresses the prohibition for use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Drones.
  2. Scope
    This policy applies to all CTCD employees, students, visitors and guests at all CTCD Campuses, sites, and locations where property is owned, occupied or leased by the CTCD.
  3. Policy
    Individual students, staff, outside entities, visitors, and guests on CTCD campuses are prohibited from operating unmanned aircraft/drones on Central Texas College campuses, interiors or exteriors, without prior written permission from the Chancellor and/or Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration.
  4. Definitions
    1. Campus: for the purpose of this policy, campus includes all property that is owned, leased or occupied by the CTCD.
    2. Drone: All Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and all aircraft without a human pilot onboard and/or controlled remotely by an operator.
    3. User: Student, staff, faculty, third party or entity who wishes to operate a Drone on any CTCD campus.
  5. Procedures
    1. Use of Drones During Class Instruction on Central Campus
      All use of Drones on CTCD Central Campus, as part of the class instructional curriculum conducted by a CTCD instructor, must have prior written approval from the Dean of Academic Instruction, the Vice Chancellor, Instruction and Workforce Initiatives and the Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration.
      • Upon written approval, and at least fourteen (14) days advance, User is to provide written notice to Campus Police stating the date, time, location and other specifics of the Drone use. User shall coordinate with Campus Police to ensure approval for operation on dates, time and at location desired, and for proper oversite of the activity.
      • Campus Police and the Vice Chancellor, Instruction and Workforce Initiative’s office shall maintain a list of instructors, classes, dates, and times of class instruction during which a Drone will be utilized. Such list will be updated on a regular basis as needed and will be available to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, Associate Vice Chancellors, Directors, Facilities Management, Risk Management and other relevant CTCD employees as each circumstance dictates.
    2. Drone use on CTC Fort Cavazos, Service Area, Continental Sites
      • Prior written approval is to be gained from the Campus Dean stating the date, time and locations of the drone activity.
      • All Drone use on US Military Bases or Navy ships shall comply with the rules for Drone use on the Base or ship.
    3. Drone use on CTCD Central Campus other than for Instructional Purposes
      Use of Drones other than as part of the class instructional curriculum is considered an event and must be approved through the on-line Event e-form. Approval through the Event e-form shall constitute written consent. Upon receipt of the Event e-form requesting Drone approval, CTCD Risk Management shall obtain authorization for Drone use from the Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration prior to event approval. Failure to submit the requisite Event e-form within the required time frame could result in denial of the event. (See Safety Policy 180.)
    4. All CTCD authorized use of Drones requires that such use be conducted within the parameters of state, federal and local laws and regulations. User’s failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in criminal charges against the User.
  6. Reporting Violations
    Violations of this policy shall be immediately reported to the CTCD Police Department at 254-526-1427.
    CTCD Police and other law enforcement agencies (including but not limited to City of Killeen Police Department, or other first responders) are exempt from these guidelines in their use of Drones for immediate police pursuit or investigative purposes only.

    Outside law enforcement is to coordinate with CTCD Police prior to such activity as much as possible, and is to notify CTCD Police as soon as possible during Drone use for immediate pursuit.
  7. Disciplinary Action
    A student who violates this policy may be subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct, up to and including expulsion, for the first occurrence.

    An employee who violates this policy may be subject to discipline under the CTCD Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual up to and including, termination for the first occurrence. Visitors or guests to campus who violate this policy may be barred from campus, including for first occurrence.

    All misuse of Drones may be subject to civil and/or criminal sanctions.