BY LAYLA KELLOGG, STAFF WRITER
If there was a threatening situation on campus, would you feel prepared and ready to react in a way you didn’t expect when you came to class that day?
If you’re answering no, you’re not alone. While some colleges and universities are making active aggressor training a requirement for incoming students, other schools, like Bellarmine, make the training voluntary for all students.
An active aggressor is defined by Bellarmine’s Office of Public Safety as “an individual who is actively harming or attempting to harm as many people as possible in a confined and populated area.”
There were two active aggressor training sessions at Bellarmine in January. At the training on Jan. 31, only faculty and staff attended. No students attended the event, which focused on three key strategies to survive an active aggressor: run, hide and fight.
Bellarmine Public Safety officers advised attendees to first try to escape the situation and get as far away from the shooting or violence as possible. This option works best when there is a plan in mind and a known escape route.
If escape isn’t possible, hide. Lock doors if possible and barricade entrances with whatever furniture is in the room. Turn off the lights and silence all electronic devices. Most active aggressors won’t use force to get into a room. They usually stay on the move looking for easier targets.
As a last resort, fight back. Attempt to incapacitate or injure the aggressor with whatever objects are available.
Officers told attendees to remember to call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. Provide law enforcement with a physical description of the aggressor, his or her location and what type of weapon(s) he or she is using.
When law enforcement arrives, remain calm and follow instructions. Keep your hands visible by raising them above your head and spreading your fingers. Avoid quick movements toward the officers. In a high alert situation, they need to be clear that you are not the active aggressor.
Faculty and staff who attended the training received this information, along with Active Aggressor Quick Reference Cards, a small safety kit filled with a few materials and details on how to download a safety app to quickly contact the Office of Public Safety.
However, students didn’t receive this information because they didn’t attend the event.
In the wake of violent events happening on other campuses across the U.S., is Bellarmine doing enough to prepare students should a similar event occur on our campus?
The Active Aggressor Training was publicized in the Daily Knight for several weeks. However, there was still no attendance from students.
Bellarmine University covers some important topics during freshman orientation, such as alcohol consumption and sexual assault. Some campuses have begun making active aggressor training and other similar events part of orientation for incoming freshman.
Bellarmine should aim to make this training more engaging to students so that they come without it being mandatory. The event could supply snacks, be held in a more conversational style like the BU Dialogues, and include students in the presentation to encourage attendance.
Information on what to do in a shooter situation isn’t available on One Bellarmine. Even if a student wants to find out more, the resources aren’t readily available online.
Bellarmine University has a responsibility to students, faculty and staff to prepare everyone for what to do in case an active aggressor does come to our campus.
As for this year’s active aggressor training, the students are left with unanswered questions when there isn’t time to ask should an emergency occur.