Figure 10-13: Shelter-in-Place Plan
Most of our community members are familiar with the “lockdown” concept practiced
throughout the nation’s K-12 schools whenever there is a potential for violence on school
property. That practice works well in the strictly controlled environment that operates on
a universal, common schedule and has clearly defined physical boundaries. The
“lockdown” concept is impractical for most of the country’s college campuses for that
same reason. Most colleges and universities are open to visitors and seldom feature gates,
fences or checkpoints. The Office of Public Safety offers the following practical
suggestions to our community members to adapt to the principle of “Shelter in Place”
rather than “lockdown”.
If you are notified that an emergency is in progress and you receive the direction to
“shelter in place,” please proceed as follows and wait for further instructions.
Hostile Intruder(s) in an Alfred University Building
Notification of a hostile person on a campus may come from a pre-recorded message
on the campus phones, a text message, by runner, by e-mail, or by public alert through
loud speakers on campus. These guidelines apply to any building on or near campus,
including residence halls, academic buildings, administrative buildings, etc.
• Faculty/Staff should immediately close the doors to their classroom/office. Lock
them if possible. If locks are unavailable, barricade doors unless there is an
imminent need to be silent. Attempt to cover any door or classroom windows or
openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
• If communication is available, call 9-911 or 871-2108.
• Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants to
evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempted to
exit.
• Lock the windows.
• Stay away from the exterior and interior windows, if possible
• Turn off all audio equipment.
• Try to remain as calm as possible.
• Keep everyone together.
• Keep classrooms locked, insist that occupants remain until police arrive and
give you directions.
• If you are in an open area such as a hallway or vestibule, try to get to a
classroom or an office and then follow above procedures. Do not go outside,
unless you feel comfortable that you can make it without harm.
• Stay out of open areas and be as quiet as possible.
• If for some reason you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or
lounge, you have several options:
 You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well-hidden space or you may be
found by the intruder as the intruder moves through the building looking
for victims.
 If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do
so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep
objects such as, desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile
subject. When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help in
any way you can and warn others.
 If the person(s) is/are causing death or serious physical injury to others
and you are unable to run or hide, you may choose to play dead, if other
victims are around you.
 Your last option, if you are caught in an open area in a building, may be
to fight back. This is dangerous but, depending on your situation, this
could be your last option.
 If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all
commands and don’t look the intruder in the eyes.
 Once the police arrive, do not run toward them. Obey all police or
emergency officer’s commands. This may involve your being handcuffed,
or keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons. Once the
police evaluate circumstances, they will give you further directions to
follow.
Hostile Intruder(s) on the Grounds of Alfred University
When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious physical injury or
threatening imminent death or serious physical injury to person(s) on the University
grounds, we recommend the following actions be taken:
• Run away from the threat if you can, as fast as you can.
• Do not run in a straight line.
• Keep vehicles, bushes, trees and anything that could possibly block your view
between the hostile person(s) and you while you are running.
• If you can get away from the immediate area of danger, summon help, CALL 9911 or 871-2108, and warn others.
• If you decide to hide, take into consideration the area in which you are hiding.
Will I be found here? Is this really a good spot to remain hidden?
• If the person(s) is/are causing death or serious physical injury to others, and you
are unable to run or hide, you may choose to play dead, if other victims are
around you.
• The last option you have, if caught in an open area outside, may be to fight back.
This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option.
• If you are caught by the intruder and you are not going to fight back, do not look
the intruder in the eye and obey all commands.
• Once the police arrive, do not run toward them. Obey all police or emergency
officers’ commands. This may involve your being handcuffed or made to put your
hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons. Once the police evaluate the
circumstances, they will give you further directions to follow.
This action/procedure guide cannot cover every possible situation that might occur, but
it is a tool that can reduce the number of injuries or deaths if put into action as soon as a
situation develops. Time is the most important factor in the optimal management of these
types of situations.