Even in a community as quiet as Goucher's, it's reassuring to know that the college has a full complement of measures in place to keep the campus safe and secure — and can respond quickly and effectively if a problem should arise. On duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, the Office of Campus Safety works hard to provide security services that are as responsive as they are unintrusive, that emphasize the importance of community in preventing and responding to problems, and that devote as much time to reaching out to the community as to patrolling it.

The Goucher College Office of Campus Safety exists to support the educational mission of Goucher College. Its staff members are committed to providing high quality, community-oriented campus safety services that facilitate the provision of educational services to the students of the college. The office strives to protect the rights and safety of all members of the campus community and uses problem-solving strategies to address the security concerns of students, employees, and guests.

The Office of Campus Safety is located on the ground floor of Heubeck Hall. For more information, call 410-337-6112.

Report a Threat or Concern

Active shooter/threat situation

Shootings tend to last approximately 2–4 minutes and may be over before police arrive. In the event of an active shooter/threat situation, your courses of action—adaptable for people of various abilities—are:

• AVOID: The second you think you hear a gunshot, RUN. Look for the nearest exit and avoid, walk or wheel to a safe location as fast as you can. Help others and get out. When you are clear from the building and have found a safe place, call 911 and provide as much detail as possible.
• DENY: If you can’t run, hide. Lock and/or block the door. Slowing down the shooter could save your life. Don’t bunch up together. Turn off the lights and silence your cellphones. Stay calm, quiet, and out of sight. Text 911 if safe to do so and provide as much detail as possible.
• DEFEND: When you have no options left, fight. Fight, fight, fight! Fight dirty—throw things as hard as you can, etc. Tackle the shooter high and low. Gouge the eyes. Make a plan and work together.

When you are safe, help those around you

When police arrive follow their commands and show your hands. Their focus will be on stopping the shooter and they may be unable to help victims.

PLEASE NOTE: The video contains an enactment of an active shooter that some may find disturbing. However, the video provides guidance and is meant to educate you on how to respond should an active shooter situation occur. While the scripted violence is simulated and mildly graphic, the message is real and will hopefully resonate across the campus.

• Students: If during or after viewing this video you are experiencing any mental health concerns please contact the Counseling Center at 410-337-6481 or the after-hours hotline at 855-236-4278.
• Faculty/Staff: If during or after viewing this video you are experiencing any mental health concerns please reach out to Human Resources 410-337-6135, who can provide information about the College’s EAP.