Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University is committed to providing a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. The OSU Division of Student Affairs, Office of Human Resources and the Associated Students of Oregon State University have taken several proactive steps to address safety concerns.

Many of these efforts were underway before Thursday's tragedy at Umpqua Community College but are being shared again in light of this week's events. These efforts include:

• ASOSU, in partnership with Oregon State Police and the Faculty Senate, has placed "Run, Hide, Fight" posters in all classrooms. This is a national campaign through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the program is to empower members of the OSU community to be proactive and prepared in case of an event on campus. Remember if faced with an active shooter:

Run--If safe to do so, use an accessible path; help others escape; leave your belongings behind

Hide--Seek a room and lock the door; if possible, blockade the door to prevent entry; remain quiet with all sources of noise silenced

Fight--Fight for your life; be prepared to cause severe injury to the intruder; throw objects                                                                                                                  

• Oregon State Police, the OSU Care Network and ASOSU have scheduled an educational seminar addressing two topics: Working with Distressed Students and Active Shooter Preparedness. The seminar will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, in Milam Auditorium. In light of recent events, this event is now open to everyone in the OSU community and will be offered again later in the term. The seminar is intended to help the community educate itself for responses in the classroom, work environment and beyond.
• OSU's annual employee Training Days event will include a "Run, Hide, Fight" workshop on Oct. 27. Details are expected to be released with the Training Days schedule next week.

Last fall, OSU implemented a Threat Assessment Team (TAT). The purpose of TAT is to utilize national best practices to develop procedures and protocols to respond to actual or potential violence; evaluate potential threats posed by students, faculty, staff and/or campus visitors; determine suitable responses; and offer opportunities for trainings on awareness and prevention. For more information about TAT, email: [email protected].

University leaders are asking all members of the Oregon State University community to be active in helping keep the university's campuses and offices as safe as possible by staying alert and reporting suspicious or threatening behavior, including: someone talking about a violent act towards another person; threatening posts on social media; or a friend or colleague confiding something that causes concern.

If a threat is or feels imminent, report it. In all of these scenarios, call 911 or OSU Public Safety at 541-737-7000 (emergency) or 541-737-3010 (non-emergency).

Resources and services also are available to support students, faculty and staff on campus.

• Counseling & Psychological Services or CAPS, 541-737-2131
• Student Health Services or SHS, 541-737-9355
• OSU Care Network, 541-737-8748
• Employee Assistance Program, 800-433-2320