The University Police Department (UPD) addressed campus safety at California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) in response to the campus shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon on Oct. 1.
Campus shootings are extremely remote, but it is important for students, staff, faculty or anyone who finds themselves in this situation to know how to react and what action to take.
UPD Interim Chief Police Andy A. Roy sent out an email on, Oct. 2 to all of the campus community to discuss actions that one can take to ensure safety for the campus community.
“We all hope, of course, that the violence that has afflicted other communities across the nation never afflicts ours, but if the unthinkable — an armed person intent on causing harm — were to occur here, we would want to be prepared,” Roy said in his email. “I want everyone to know that we at the University Police Department consider the safety of our campus community our No. 1 priority.”
Roy’s email also included a link to an eight-minute video of how to react if a campus shooting were to happen at our campus. The video can be viewed here.
“I think I would automatically panic just because I would be surprised. Your mind goes straight to what is happening and I would be really scared.  In that situation it’s everyone for themselves in a way because at that moment you really don’t think about anyone but yourself,” Estefania Sanchez (freshman, Biology) said.
There are three major key points to take from this video, which are to get out, hide or fight.
It is important to be familiar with your environment as well as checking for crowd reactions. If the shooting is detected on time it is vital to evacuate the building with out attracting the shooters attention and to call 911 once you are out of the building.
If evacuating is not an option, hiding is crucial.  When hiding, make sure that you find a secure hiding space by cover the windows as well as locking the door and turning off the lights.  Most importantly stay out of the line of fire. Phones can save your life, but they can also give up your hiding space. It is important to mute all phones and to be as quite as possible as you wait for police officials to get you.
Fighting should be your last resort.  If you are unable to hide or evacuate the building improvise weapons from nearby objects and commit to an aggressive physical attack. The ultimate goal would be to disarm or disable the shooter.
By being aware of your surroundings you are in control of your future and knowing the proper procedures can one day save your life. If you have any questions about campus safety or safety preparation feel free to call us the UPD at (209) 667-3114.
Some of the steps that the email addressed were being familiar with the building evacuation plans as well as knowing where the location of emergency blue light boxes are around campus. 
It is also important to update your contact information for emergency notifications so that Stan Alert can be rapidly alert its campus community via voice, e-mail and text message of any important situation.