Active Threat Frequently Asked Questions

An active threat is considered any incident which, by its deliberate nature, creates an immediate threat or presents imminent danger to the campus. The weapon used is usually a firearm but could be a knife, other blunt object, an explosive device, or other threatening weapon.

The options presented in the evacuate, evade, and engage protocols are the same wherever you go. In addition to knowing your options, a goal of active threat preparedness is to help you practice situational awareness whether on or off campus.

It is okay to be upset. It can be helpful to talk to someone about your feelings. Talk about it with friends, colleagues or family. If you are extremely upset by this material, consider consulting the 24/7 support available through the UIC Counseling Center by calling (312) 996-3490; the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988; or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 or using WhatsApp.

The university maintains a Violence Prevention Plan that provides the necessary guidance to organize and direct the university’s violence prevention infrastructure. UIC maintains a Campus Violence Prevention Committee, co-chaired by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services as well as two Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams (BTAT)- one dedicated to concerns about students and another to concerns about employees. Review the Plan at go.uic.edu/VPP to learn more.

It is the responsibility of all campus community members to help maintain an environment free from threats or acts of violence. Prior to carrying out attacks, active attackers are known to display common warning signs, or “behaviors of concern,” which may be identified by bystanders (e.g., colleagues, classmates, family, friends on social media, etc.), such as yourself. When you refer known information to the violence prevention authorities identified below, it creates the opportunity to assess the situation to determine (a) whether someone may be on a pathway to violence, and (b) which management strategies may be leveraged to divert behaviors away from the pathway to violence and/or uphold community wellness.

Behaviors of concern that should be shared with campus officials include:

• Any physical violence toward a person or property.
• Direct or indirect threats of violence, including threats of violence in electronic form.
• Any act, gesture, or statement that would be interpreted by a reasonable person as threatening, such as overt physical or verbal threats, throwing objects or other gestures intended to cause fear, or making contextually inappropriate statements about harming others.
• Unusual or bizarre behavior that would cause a reasonable person to fear injury or harm due to its nature and severity, such as: stalking; erratic or bizarre behavior suggestive of mental disturbance or substance abuse; fixation with mass murder, weapons, or violence generally; or fixation with hate group or violent extremist materials.
• Any statements or behaviors indicating suicidality.

For concerns involving acts or threats of violence, contact UIC Police at (312) 355-5555

For concerns involving behavior of students (including prospective/former students), contact the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team for Students (BTAT-S):

• Call the Office of the Dean of Students (312) 996-4857
• Submit a Student Assistance and Support Referral Report or
• Submit the Student Misconduct Incident Reporting Form

For concerns involving behavior of employees (including prospective/former employees), contact the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team for Employees by calling:

• The Office for Access & Equity: (312) 996-8670
• UIC Human Resources: (312) 355-3110

No, it’s not practical to have a detailed plan for every area you visit. However, you can take a moment in various locations to ask, “What if…?” which helps you practice awareness to your surroundings. It will prompt you to make a mental note of exits and identify locations to hide that provides protection. Practicing this regularly makes the critical difference in how you react in a real emergency.

• Familiarize yourself with emergency exit routes and the locations of first aid kits in the buildings you frequent
• Pay attention to the locations of emergency call boxes and emergency blue light poles on campus that may be used to contact UIC Police in an emergency
• Identify objects you carry or objects in the spaces you frequent that may be used to distract or disorient an active attacker (e.g., items that may be thrown at an active attacker), if necessary

No, administrative policy prohibits carrying weapons on campus.

For UIC, a significant focus in our campaign is the empowerment of staff and students. Some campaigns are not inclusive of people with functional needs, since not everyone can “Run.”  These considerations take on a different perspective for our diverse population. In the end, UIC modified the preparedness theme borrowing concepts from other approaches, and other institutions of higher education have since adopted this language.

In an active threat situation, the more distance you place between yourself and the person with the weapon, the higher the probability that you will escape injury. Therefore, if you can safely leave the building, evacuate (get out). If you cannot safely leave, find a place to evade (conceal location, barricade, and seek cover). Only engage (fight) an active threat as a last resort if you cannot safely evacuate or engage.

However, the focus is on the “options” and that the options are not always linear- one may need to evade (conceal location, barricade, seek cover), and then evacuate/escape.

Everyone must scan and assess their own situation and choose whether to get out or hide according to their circumstances. It’s okay if your response is different from your manager, co-worker, professor or classmates. Know that research shows evacuating (escaping) the situation is the best course of action, if you can safely do so. However, you have the authority and responsibility to choose the option that is best for your particular circumstances.

Do not leave a secured area until a trusted source or known police officer advises to do so or until you receive an update on the situation from the UIC ALERT emergency notification system. Be advised that social media is not a trusted source. If doubt exists for the safety of the individuals inside the room, remain secured until a UIC ALERT emergency notification advises the threat is over (i.e., until you receive the “All clear” notification).

We stress that the option to engage (fight) should only be chosen as the option of last resort to use only if your life is in imminent danger. Only in a situation where evacuating and evading are no longer possible, and you must do what you can to save your own life. Never intentionally seek out the threat.

People intending to harm typically don’t respond to reason. An active attacker almost always continues until something happens to stop them (most often by suicide or by police engagement). Nobody will force you to take this step, but you should be aware that it’s an option

Many individuals who are blind or have a loss of vision will be familiar with their immediate work or study area. In an emergency:

• Announce the type of emergency
• Offer your arm for guidance

• Tell the person where you are going and obstacles they may encounter
• When you reach safety, ask if further assistance is needed

Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may not perceive an emergency alarm and an alternative way to warn them may be required. In an emergency:

• Flicker the lights to gain their attention
• Indicate through gestures what is happening and what to do

• Familiarize yourself with the emergency exit routes and locations of first aid kits in your area
• Check whether your office or classroom doors lock, and how to control the locking mechanism
• Consider windows in your office or classrooms- check whether the blinds can be closed and how to operate them
• Know your resources for obtaining additional information to share with your students or staff, including the UIC Ready Active Threat Readiness website and its associated resources, downloads, and guidelines

It is impossible to predict how anyone will react in such an extreme event. Any one of us is capable of becoming a leader with the presence of mind to remember what to do and to take action. It might be an instructor, a member of administration, a member of support staff or a student. With this education, we are all equally prepared to make informed decisions for ourselves. However, No one individual is expected to be a hero. You must do what is right for you. If you are confident you can help others without putting yourself in unnecessary danger, you may choose to do so.

No. Supervisors and professors do not need to account for employees or students as everyone will make their own choice as to whether to leave or hide.

At the Chicago East, West, and School of Law campus (including UIH campus), both the UIC Police Department and the Chicago Police Department will respond. At our regional health science campuses, the local municipal law enforcement agency will respond.

UIC Police are most familiar with our campus landscape, and are likely the closest response entity to your current location. Calling UIC Police directly will connect you with UIC Police dispatch who can more efficiently relay your location and dispatch officers, compared to calling 911. 911 dispatch will connect you to the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, who will eventually relay the message to UIC Police, but there may be a lag or time delay, which is critical to avoid in such situations.

No; not unless you confirm fire or smoke or are directed to do so by emergency responders. Otherwise, each person in a building should determine their best course of action, based on their own location in relation to the threat and their own personal capabilities in any given scenario.

Remain off-campus until you receive an official “All Clear” message from the UIC ALERT emergency notification system indicating no additional threats exist.