Active shooter prevention & response at Governors State University
By Christopher Goodson, Emergency Management Coordinator, Guest Writer
Here at Governors State University (GovState), we pride ourselves on being one of the safest public University campuses in Illinois. Safety is a shared responsibility, and we achieve it by keeping everyone involved. One important way we prepare is by planning for potential active shooter incidents through prevention and response awareness. By promoting vigilance, encouraging timely reporting, and practicing response strategies, we work together to keep our campus safe.
Prevention:
1. If you See Something, Say Something! Stay vigilant. Trust your instincts. If a person, behavior, or item seems off, don’t ignore it.
2. Report concerns early. Tips about threats, weapons, stalking, alarming posts, or anything that feels unsafe help prevent incidents. You can report incidents on campus by calling Department of Public Safety x4900, by stopping by in person, or by visiting GovState Policy on Concealed Carry.
3. Weapons Policy: Know the Rules! To reduce risk on campus, all firearms must be left in your personal vehicle or checked into the Department of Public Safety. Please see the following Report a Tip or an Incident.
Response
If Violence Occurs: Run • Hide • Fight
1. RUN (Evacuate):
· Leave immediately if you can do so safely.
· Take others with you.
· Put distance and cover between you and the threat; call 911 once safe.
2. HIDE (Barricade):
· If escape isn’t possible, lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, silence phones, and stay out of sight.
· Spread out, stay low, and remain quiet.
· Prepare a plan to move if conditions change.
3. FIGHT (Defend as a Last Resort):
· If confronted and your life is in imminent danger, commit to action.
· Improvise tools, coordinate with others, and disrupt the attacker’s vision, breathing, and balance.
· Continue until you can escape or help arrives.
Join Our Workshop
To learn more information join us at our Active Shooter Prevention & Response Workshop at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2025 in Room D1496.