FIGHTS/ASSAULTS
The National Safety Center recommends the following steps when staff members are approaching a fight:
- Call SPC Police or dial 911.
- Promptly walk, don’t run, to the fight so you may visually analyze the situation (scan for weapons) and mentally form a strategy as to your approach.
- The moment you come in sight of the altercation, use your best authoritative voice and announce that you are coming and you want those involved to stop immediately.
- If possible, while walking to the fight, stop to find other authorized personnel and obtain help from other residence hall directors or campus personnel.
- Call out to any person you know and start giving orders. Use short, direct commands.
- If you know the fighters by name, call out each of their names and let them know you know who they are.
- If confronted with weapons (i.e. knife, gun, club) get additional help. If attacked, take action to preserve life.
As with any crisis situation, responding to a fight takes a clear head. As an adult intervening in a fight, your priorities are as follows: 1) your safety; 2) the safety of surrounding students; and 3) the safety of the fighters. The guidelines are not meant to be rigid rules, but general principles to direct your behavior.
