By Faith Montalvo
TAMPA, Fla. – Campus Safety provided a statement in response to the shooting that was reported at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday. The response outlined safety precautions at The University of Tampa and recommendations for students, faculty and staff in the event of an active shooter.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the shooting at Florida State University,” said Assistant Director of Campus Safety Samuel Ponce in a statement.
“I can assure you that we take these situations seriously and that the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests at UTampa remains our number one priority,” he said.
UTampa’s Safety Measures
Ponce said Campus Safety hires retired law enforcement and military personnel who patrol UTampa’s campus 24/7.
“Our campus safety officers are armed and trained with the Tampa Police Department to respond immediately to emergency situations that include active shooter events,” he said.
Campus Safety also hires the Tampa Police Department to work on campus several days a week.
Ponce said UTampa uses security technology like automatic lock door systems, card swipe access systems, electronic traffic arm access system, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras throughout campus buildings, floors, and streets on campus.
UTampa uses the following services to communicate with students, staff, and faculty in the event of an emergency:
- SMART Text Message
- Spartan SOS App
- Desktop Alert
- Classroom Voice Message
- Global Email
- Global Voicemail
- SpartanLearn
- Electronic Display Boards
- Public Address Systems
More details about UTampa’s communication programs can be found here.
Ponce said Campus Safety also provides a safety analysis to assess an area of employment and provide options to implement if a dangerous or active shooter event occurs.
What to Do in the Event of an Active Shooter
The UTampa website has instructions for how to respond in the event of an active shooter. These instructions include having an escape route and plan in mind, leaving any belongings behind, and keeping your hands visible. When hiding, hide in an area out of the shooter’s view, block entry to your hiding place and lock or barricade the doors, and silence cell phones.
The UTampa active shooter response webpage states to call 9-1-1 when it is safe to do so. Any attempts to fight the shooter should only be done as a last resort, and if your life is in immediate danger.
The website also has instructions for how to respond to law enforcement when they arrive and what to do when considering unsecuring an area.
Campus Safety also offers active shooter training for all faculty, staff, and student leaders and groups. In the training, certified active shooting instructors teach ALICE, which provides directions for how to respond to an active shooter event.
The ALICE program includes the following that individuals should follow in the event of an active shooter:
- A – Alert: Be alert to the notifications of danger by recognizing signs of danger and receiving information about the danger from others.
- L – Lockdown: If evacuation is not a safe option, barricade entry points, prepare to evacuate or counter if needed.
- I – Inform: Communicate real-time information on the shooter’s location. Use clear and direct language using any communication means possible.
- C – Counter: As a last resort, create noise, movement, distance, and distraction to reduce the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately.
- E – Evacuate: When safe to do so, run from danger using non-traditional exits if necessary. Rally points should also be predetermined.
Student groups can sign up for an e-learning course or a hands-on training. Email alice@ut.edu to learn more.
“Many people in our community have a connection to Florida State University,” said Ken Gibson, a spokesperson for The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. “For this reason, people may be experiencing distress and anxiety, especially if they are a student or the parent of a student.”
Gibson said anyone who is experiencing distress and feelings of fear because of the shooting can connect to support by calling The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 2-1-1.
UTampa’s Dickey Health and Wellness Center offers mental health and counseling services to students. Students in need of after-hours support or experiencing a crisis should call the university’s 24/7 support hotline at (833) 755-0484.