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.

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Mission Statement

The Goucher College Office of Campus Safety exists to support the College’s mission of inspiring Global Changemakers by fostering an environment in which students, faculty, staff, and visitors can live, learn, and work with a sense of security and belonging. We acknowledge our pivotal role in the college experience and approach our work as an integral part of higher education, viewed through a lens of safety, care, and service.

We see people first, and our efforts are intentionally guided by principles of equity, justice, and respect. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive campus, where every community member feels valued, heard, and protected. Our staff is at the heart of our mission—each individual plays a vital role in the college's overall safety infrastructure. We honor their humanity, support their growth, and invest in their ongoing development through thorough hiring and training processes.

We believe in positive, proactive engagement with our community. We strive to show up with integrity and dedication, working collaboratively to ensure that safety is experienced as a shared responsibility, not just a service. By championing our staff, continuing to educate ourselves, and remaining open to growth and feedback, we build the resilience and culture necessary to meet the challenges of a dynamic college environment.

At Goucher College's Office of Campus Safety, we are committed to fostering trust, building relationships, and creating a safer, more just campus for all. Through our values, our actions, and our collective commitment, we work to ensure that safety is a foundation upon which the entire Goucher community can thrive.

 

Campus Safety functions within the Division of Campus Operations.

 

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.