department of

public safety

Oklahoma State University has taken proactive measures toward providing a safe, secure campus for the Cowboy family.

 

On the Stillwater campus, which is roughly 800 acres, and on the OSU-Tulsa campus, OSU is protected by a police force on duty around the clock. They know the campus and each building on the campus. The OSU PD also implemented a “core campus” model several years ago on the Stillwater campus. For example, the heart of campus — the Student Union, OSU Library, Classroom Building and others — has officers present during peak hours. This area is not easily accessible by car, and officers often patrol on foot, by bicycle or Segway. 

OSU PD trains with other local jurisdictions on active shooter responses and is trained to immediately enter and confront potential threats upon arrival. Should a need arise, OSU would have the benefit of its own police force on the campus and the assistance of the Stillwater Police Department, the Payne County Sheriff’s Office and more. 

After the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, OSU created the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) — a basement-level hub of operations for any emergency scenario from weather to an active shooter. The Stillwater EOC is manned during the week and activated for events with large crowds, such as football games and Homecoming. OSU’s 911 dispatchers operate out of the EOC and have access to security cameras across campus.

The OSU PD and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety also offer active shooter response training opportunities for students, faculty and staff on request. The university offered a series of presentations during the 2019-20 school year, before the arrival of COVID-19. More training opportunities will be offered during the 2022-23 school year. 

The university is also exploring the possibility of hiring a consultant to do an assessment of the campus and make recommendations.