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New virtual course outlines best practices for active harmer response

The CU Boulder Division of Public Safety is making it easier for CU students, faculty and staff members to access its CU: Run, Hide, Fight active harmer response class through a SkillSoft course that launched this spring. 

The course, which covers topics such as how to recognize and quickly respond to an active harmer situation, includes scenarios that help participants put their knowledge into practice. The virtual, text-based course takes about 15 minutes to complete.

   How to access the course

  1. Log on to your portal (MyCUInfo or Buff Portal).
  2. Click on the SkillSoft tile, or search for it in Buff Portal if it is not saved to your homepage.
  3. In the Search Content text box in the upper right, type: “CU: Run, Hide, Fight” and click the spyglass search button. 
  4. Then click on the launch button in the results list.

Law enforcement agencies, including the CU Boulder Police Department, have trained on responses to active harmer incidents. Be mindful that police response will occur as expediently as possible, but in the first few minutes of such an incident you may have to rely on your own actions to ensure your safety.

“We are pleased to be able to present this virtual course that anyone can access, at any time,” said Garry DeJong, director of Events and Emergency Management at CU Boulder. “We recommend that all CU affiliates watch the course, possibly making it a group activity for work teams, classes and other groups, to ensure as many people as possible are exposed to this valuable content,” he said. 

The virtual course can serve as an introduction to more comprehensive active harmer response training offered by the university, including a longer video-based course and/or in-person training.

CU Boulder uses the Department of Homeland Security’s Run, Hide, Fight response philosophy and CUPD regularly hosts in-depth, 90-minute active harmer response classes for faculty, staff, and students. 

Community resources

In addition to active harmer response training and tools, CU Boulder has confidential support resources and anonymous reporting options for the campus community.

  • CU Boulder’s Student Support and Case Management office connects students with assistance, such as mental health resources, support resources, and intervention for students. If the concern involves an employee, the Behavioral Intervention Team will be made aware. 
  • The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance is where responsible employees, as mandatory reporters, are required to report information about protected-class discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.
  • The Office of Victim Assistance offers confidential support, including free trauma-specific counseling services as well as victim advocacy (helping people know their options and get assistance navigating systems), to CU Boulder students, staff and faculty who have experienced traumatic events, including but not limited to crime, abuse, violence, harassment, stalking, discrimination and more.
  • offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of concerns such as academics, anxiety, body image, depression, relationships, substance use and more. This office serves CU Boulder students.
  • The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers confidential counseling to serve the emotional and psychological needs of CU Boulder employees. All FSAP staff are trained as generalist counselors and are equipped to deal with a wide range of mental health, personal and work-related issues. You must be a CU Boulder employee to use FSAP services.
  • CU Boulder is committed to continuously improving our violence prevention and education efforts to meet the needs of the campus community. We encourage a campuswide culture of training, reporting and support through the Don’t Ignore It website. Anonymous tips can also be shared through .