The Division of Safety and Operations announced that it had expanded mandatory safety awareness training to include students and staff members in an email sent to students earlier this month.
The Safety Awareness Training and Active Threat Training covers the University’s protective actions, emergency procedures and other important safety information, according to the email. University spokesperson Julia Metjian said officials developed the training in response to “community requests” and that the training is intended to increase awareness and understanding of the University’s safety resources and procedures.
The email states the training covers trends, characteristics and individual responses to an active threat. Both trainings also provide an overview of available campus resources regarding safety and security, according to the email.
Officials formed the Campus Safety Advisory Committee — which consists of students, staff members, faculty, GW Police Department officers and a community member — in April 2024 to increase the awareness of and engagement on campus safety after community concerns regarding arming the department.
Metjian added that staff safety experts reviewed leading industry training to tailor the courses to community members.
“Industry experts developed these trainings and personalized them based on the unique needs of different groups within our community (i.e., students, staff, and faculty),” Metjian said in an email.
Metjian said students should complete the training on Blackboard within 60 days of receiving the assignment. She said the training is available online for students, faculty and staff, and the University looks forward to continuously sharing updated information and trainings to keep the campus community informed, safe and prepared.