WHAT TO DO WHEN ...


… you see a gun being carried by someone and the situation does not appear to be an emergency:

Contact KU Public Safety Office: 785-864-5900 or 785-864-5913 for a non-emergency situation.  On the Edwards Campus, call 913-897-8700. Pay special attention to details that may assist law enforcement officials such as location (buildings, room numbers, street names or intersections)  and description of the person.

… you see a gun being carried on campus and sense danger is imminent:

Call 911. Regardless of your location, dispatchers will be able to respond with appropriate law enforcement officials. Pay special attention to details that may assist law enforcement officials such as location (buildings, room numbers, street names or intersections)  and description of the person.

… you see someone brandishing a gun on campus:

Call 911. If danger appears to have passed, you can also contact KU Public Safety Office: 785-864-5900 on the Lawrence campus, or on the Edwards Campus, 913-897-8700. Pay special attention to details that may assist law enforcement officials such as location (buildings, room numbers, street names or intersections)  and description of the person.

… an active shooter/attacker situation is underway: 

Your first priority is to yourself. Remember this phrase: Run. Hide. Fight. Run from the scene if you can. Hide if you can’t flee safely. Fight with everything at your disposal if your hiding place is located by an attacker.

As soon as you are in a place of relative safety, call 911. Do not assume others have called 911. Stay on the line, remain calm and prepare to provide information.

What to say

  1. Give the location of the emergency.

  2. State the type of emergency.

  3. Give the dispatcher your name.

  4. Give the dispatcher your phone number and what location you are calling from if it differs from the location of the emergency.

Depending on circumstances, individuals with limited mobility or other disabilities may need to shelter in place and barricade with available furniture and materials. Call 911 and let the dispatcher know that a person with disabilities is sheltering in place and provide the specific location - building and room number.

For more detailed information on how to respond to a variety of emergencies visit the KU Alerts page.

… you see or know someone who is struggling with life: 

If you suspect a member of the KU community is experiencing difficulty coping with their circumstances and may be at risk to harm themselves or others, please speak up so that person can get help they may need.

If the person is a student, you can confidentially contact the Student of Concern Review Team.  You also can encourage the student to contact KU's Counseling and Psychological Services, 785-864-2277.

If the person is a member of the KU faculty or a staff member, contact Human Resource Management, hrdept@ku.edu, 785-864-4946.

In case of imminent danger, call 911 immediately.

… you have additional questions about safety and security: 

Contact KU Public Safety Office: 785-864-5900 or 785-864-5913 for a non-emergency situation.  On the Edwards Campus, call 913-897-8700. Upon request, the Public Safety Office can provide information sheets and pamphlets, suitable for printing, that offers guidance and education for a variety of situations.