After the Unthinkable

 

Essential Steps for Safety and Response After a Campus Tragedy

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

When a tragedy occurs on a college campus, such as the recent shooting at UVU involving Charlie Kirk, the community faces tremendous shock and disruption. While every situation is different, decades of research and after-action reviews show there are consistent steps institutions can take to protect students, restore stability, and prevent further harm. Drawing from national cases—including Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Arapahoe—experts offer a clear framework for post-incident safety and recovery.

1. Immediate Threat Response

Modern law enforcement is trained to move toward the threat, not wait outside. Ms. Susan Payne emphasized:

“Columbine completely changed how we train officers. Today the expectation is to go directly to the threat to stop the violence as quickly as possible.”

This shift has saved lives in subsequent incidents.

2. Clear Communication Across Campus

After a tragedy, students and staff need rapid, accurate information. Institutions should:

• issue timely alerts

• provide clear instructions

• identify safe areas, lockdown procedures, or evacuation routes

• avoid speculation

• update regularly

Confusion can increase fear and create secondary safety risks.

3. Threat Assessment and Prevention Review

Dr. Sarah Goodrum explained:

“A safety system can fail not in the assessment, but in the follow-up. After a tragedy, institutions must review what was known, how it was shared, and what interventions were offered.”

Post-incident reviews help identify breakdowns in:

• communication

• policy implementation

• follow-through with students of concern

• mental health referral processes

4. Support for Students, Staff, and Families

Trauma responses vary widely. Institutions must provide:

• counseling services

• spaces for reflection

• academic flexibility

• community gatherings

• long-term mental health support

This phase cannot be rushed; healing takes time.

5. Independent Review and Accountability

Following the Arapahoe tragedy, Colorado passed the Claire Davis School Safety Act, requiring third-party independent reviews and eliminating governmental immunity for failures related to serious acts of violence.

This model encourages transparency and institutional learning.

Conclusion

A campus tragedy affects every part of the community, but history shows that strong communication, immediate protective actions, comprehensive threat assessment, and long-term support make recovery possible. By learning from past incidents and applying proven steps, colleges can respond effectively and strengthen safety for the future.