The University of Memphis is holding another active shooter seminar next week, this time at the university’s Collierville Center.
Bruce Harber, chief of Police Services, sent an email to University of Memphis students and employees Tuesday informing them about the event.
This seminar will be held at the Collierville Center April 19 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and will be live-streamed to the U of M’s Millington Center.
Preparing for an active shooter is on the forefront of administrators’ minds, as this is the eighth seminar being held.
The previous seven have taken place in the Rose Theatre on the U of M’s main campus. At those events, Harber said he opposes the current proposed Tennessee legislation to allow those with a concealed carry permit to carry their weapons on campus.
Tom Hassel, FBI special agent, was the main speaker at the events. He encouraged students to run and hide before attempting to fight an active shooter.
He also advised faculty to think about ways to create hidrances for active shooters on campus, like putting soap on the floor.
The university is spending $400,000 to replace doors and locks on campus buildings.
New locks are being installed that will lock with a dead bolt from the inside without a key.
Doorframes that do not support the locks will be replaced. More than 370 mass shootings occurred in the U.S. in 2015, killing 475 and wounding 1,870, according to the Mass Shooting Tracker.
“The University of Memphis and Police Services are issuing this message in a continuing effort to communicate safety information…this is a proactive preparedness activity and in no way indicates a change in threat level or a response to a threat,” Harber said in the email.
The FBI, the University of Memphis, the Provost’s Office and Police Services are hosting the event. The coming event will be similar to the past seven seminars.
“This seminar is intended to address incidents of mass violence that have occurred across the U.S.,” Harber said.
The FBI will update those in attendance on national mass shooting events, and information will be presented showing how students should respond to an active shooting situation.
Another explanation will be given of the Department of Homeland Security’s “Run-Hide- Fight” policy.
In addition to discussing the precautions the U of M is taking, there will also be a time for questions and answers.
Harber encouraged those who have missed the previous seminars to attend Tuesday’s event.
