The University of Utah is committed to maintaining a safe environment for our employees, students, faculty, patients and campus guests. This responsibility requires a shared commitment to violence prevention, safety preparedness and immediate responses when incidents of violence occur.

We can all play a role in reducing the risk of campus violence by identifying and reporting concerning behaviors, as well as building skills to use in emergency situations, including active threats.

Prevent

Our primary goal is to stop violence before it ever occurs. Early intervention and safety awareness can help reduce the risk of violence in our community.

• Engage one another with respect and dignity. We all have differences in opinion, perspectives and life experiences, but we can still work together to create a community of respect. Learn more about this effort at the Dignity Index.
• Be vigilant. If you see concerning or threatening behavior, call 911 or University Police at 801-585-2677.
• Say something. If there’s not an immediate safety threat, but someone’s behavior is raising concerns, be sure to say something. Information on how to report concerning behavior or situations can be found here.
• Look for support. If you’re in crisis, feeling isolated or need help, reach out for mental health support, talk to a friend or ask someone in your community for help. Free counselors are available 24/7 at SafeUT.

Prepare

Empower yourself (and your team) with skills that you can apply in different types of emergencies and locations.

• Watch the Run, Hide, Fight and Stop the Bleed You can also request a more in-depth training for your department or group through the Department of Public Safety.
• Ask if your building has a Stop the Bleed kit. It’s usually located in the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) box in a visible hallway location.
• Be aware of your surroundings. An emergency can happen at any time and in any place, and your phone or earbuds may distract from what’s going on around you.
• Familiarize yourself with the building or area you are in. Make a point of identifying nearby exits and egress windows, just in case there is an emergency.
• Make sure you signed up for Campus Alerts to get up-to-date information on emergency events.

Respond

RUN: Avoid the threat

• The second you think you hear gunshots or see an active threat, get away.
• Find the nearest exit and run away from the gun sounds.
• Once you’re in a safe place, call 911 and provide as much detail as possible.
• If the attacker moves, move quickly to a new location to avoid the threat.
• If you are unable to run, ask for help or look for ways to deny access to your location.

HIDE: Deny access to your location

• If you can’t run or get away, lock the door or barricade the entrance.
• Turn off the lights and silence your cellphones.
• Stay out of sight and away from windows, when possible. Don’t bunch together.
• Text the police at 911.

FIGHT: Defend yourself and others

• As a last resort, be prepared to defend yourself.
• Fight dirty: subdue the gun, gouge the eyes, tackle the shooter, use objects as weapons.
• Make a plan and work together.

HELP:  Aid those around you

• Once you are safe, help others around you.
• “Stop the Bleed” if someone has been injured and EMS responders haven’t arrived yet.
• When law enforcement arrives, be sure to follow their directions on how and when to evacuate. Keep your hands visible at all times.

More safety and emergency planning resources can be found at SafeU and the Department of Public Safety website.