The University Police Department is launching the Avoid | Deny | Defend™ awareness campaign starting Aug. 24, aimed at equipping students, faculty, and staff with practical response strategies during critical incidents on campus. As public safety awareness continues to grow, safety officials are pivoting away from passive survival methods toward an active, three-tiered framework designed to maximize personal safety when facing an active threat.
The campaign rollout centers around an informational event taking place in the Arkansas Union, specifically in room 201 (ARKU 201). Earlier in the day, UAPD staff will be available at an information table outside the Arkansas Union to distribute safety literature, answer questions, and guide community members through the core principles of the preparedness initiative. Organizers note that hiding and hoping is not an effective strategy.
The Three-Tiered Model for High-Stakes Events
Developed to provide an easy-to-remember method for individuals to follow, the Avoid | Deny | Defend model breaks down survival into three distinct, actionable phases. The first phase, Avoid, begins with situational awareness and mindset. Guidelines emphasize paying attention to surroundings, having an exit plan, and moving away from the source of a threat as quickly as possible to create distance and barriers.
Tactics for Isolation and Barrier Creation
When getting away is difficult or maybe impossible, individuals are instructed to transition to the Deny phase. This involves keeping distance from the source and creating barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you. Recommended actions include turning off lights, remaining out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects, and silencing phones.
Aggressive Action and Self-Preservation Rights
The final pillar, Defend, acknowledges that individuals have the right to protect themselves when avoidance and denial fail. According to safety protocols outlined by emergency management resources such as Washington and Lee University, participants in active defense situations must be aggressive and committed to their actions, prioritizing survival above all else (Washington and Lee University Emergency Management).
Direct Outreach at the Arkansas Union
UAPD personnel encourage all members of the campus community to stop by the information table and attend the scheduled sessions in room 201 to view instructional materials and better understand how rapid decision-making impacts survival outcomes.
Evaluation of Feedback and Ongoing Safety Programming
Community members interested in reviewing the protocol ahead of time can access instructional resources and overview videos online through official emergency management channels. Stay tuned for further updates from campus authorities as safety programming expands.
