Dear AU Community,

Safety in our community─our residence halls, classrooms, offices, and all spaces on our campus─is our top priority. For more than 10 years, our comprehensive safety plan has operated on a foundation of detect, deter, prevent, and respond. As conditions evolve, we regularly assess the plan and update protocols as needed. Today we want to discuss the core elements of the plan and the next important community discussion about safety.

Beginning in 2012, our safety teams assessed our overall safety approach, developed a plan in consultation with experts including the US Department of Homeland Security and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and invested significantly in preventive measures and response protocols. The plan and our active safety measures provide an “all hazards approach” including:

• Physical Security Standards─These standards encompass the technology and physical security features required to protect the AU community and all buildings. The standards are applied based on security assessments of newly constructed buildings and major renovations and consider planned uses of each facility and its occupants.
• AUPD Radios─AUPD (American University Police Department) uses an encrypted radio system that is failure-resistant during times of high usage in emergencies and power outages. The system is designed to facilitate communications in all parts of campus, including shuttle buses.
• Emergency Mass Notification─AU community members receive emergency notices through the Rave Alert System text and email alerts, Guardian mobile app, Alertus desktop system, FourWinds television network, social media platforms, and a campus public address system.
• Video Cameras─Camera coverage has increased to include building entrances, vehicular and pedestrian access points, and high-traffic campus areas.
• Residence Hall Security─All residence halls are locked 24-7, with double-barrier systems that include locked outer doors, positive identification at the front desk, technology to positively identify resident, confirm if residents are authorized, and a second level of access-controlled doors and elevators. Fulfilling this aspect requires a cooperative effort across the community.
• Remote Campus Building Lockdown and Classroom Lockdown─The AUPD Communications Center can lock campus buildings remotely if a threat is detected. Community members can lock their classrooms and lecture halls manually from inside the room if directed or if they hear a threat.
• Law Enforcement Partnerships─–AUPD has longstanding relationships with MPD, the Department of Homeland Security, DC Fire and EMS, the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office, DC Fusion Center and the DC Office of the Attorney General.
• Emergency Preparedness­─Emergency reference guides are available in academic office space and collaborative work areas on campus. Training─including “Run, Hide, Fight” preparation for active shooter situations, medical emergencies, weather emergencies, building evacuation, and group/individual self-defense classes­─is available to all community members.
• Sustainable Threat Assessment Capability─Based on an external threat assessment evaluation, we updated our Violence Prevention Policy to support the community and address any perceived or active threats to campus or individual safety.
• Active Shooter and Armed Intruder Policy─AUPD policy and officer trainer supports the MPD response to any active shooter or armed intruder emergency on or near campus. MPD has primary responsibility for responding to these types of incidents. In such a situation, AUPD will activate emergency lockdowns, alert the community, and engage MPD.

In a time of increased safety concerns in communities around the country, we are vigilant and prepared. Sadly, just last night a shooting incident occurred at Morgan State University, a historically Black university in Baltimore. Thankfully, none of the injuries appear life-threatening. We offer our support to the Morgan State community. It reminds us that our work to protect the AU community is of the highest importance.

We are fortunate to have unparalleled safety expertise at AU, including Assistant Vice President for University Police and Emergency Management Phil Morse, who served as chief of the US Capitol Police before joining AU, and Assistant Vice President for Compliance Safety and Enterprise Risk Management Fitzroy Smith, who has worked in campus safety for more than 18 years. This combination of expertise and preparation supports and safeguards our community, implements our ongoing safety approach, and continues its evolution to meet changing needs.

Periodically, we assess our safety procedures to ensure we have the right approach for our community and determine if any new or revised steps are needed to address current or future concerns. This fall, we will conduct thorough community engagement to educate about our approach and review possible updates to the safety infrastructure and practices.  

One of several questions we will explore is whether AUPD officers should be armed with lethal force weapons. This is a challenging topic with potential safety opportunities and understandable community concerns. Currently, AUPD officers are equipped with less-than-lethal chemical and impact weapons and trained in de-escalation techniques. Other universities, including George Washington University, have evaluated the question of arming campus police department in recent years. Each community is unique, and the characteristics of the AU campus and community, including our residential location, play an important part in the analysis. Options for consideration include maintaining the current approach of unarmed campus police, issuing firearms to officers and supervisors, staging firearms in vehicles for threat situations, or introducing less-than-lethal options that could be used in situations involving armed intruders. To be clear, no decision has been made on this question, and it has not been determined that our overall safety approach requires a change.

Through the engagement process this fall, we will collect extensive community input, consider potential updates and impacts, and ultimately report the findings to the AU Board of Trustees and the full community in the first part of the spring 2024 semester.

We will provide additional updates on opportunities to engage in the process. Thank you for your continued support for our community’s safety.

Sincerely,

Bronté Burleigh Jones
CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer