Mandatory training isn’t just about checking a box. It’s about strengthening our ability to respond when it matters most.
The Council of Operational Learning (COOL) develops university-wide training to ensure all employees share a common understanding of critical topics, including Active Violence response. In addition to the required courses, COOL creates leader resource tools available through the HR Self-Service Center. These resources are designed to help leaders engage their teams in follow-up discussions and apply key concepts within their own work environments.
During a recent staff meeting, Risk Management and Safety used these leader tools to review their emergency action plan. In the course of that discussion, a team member raised a question about a delayed door unlock in one campus building. In an emergency, even seconds matter.
Further review revealed the delay and associated alarm were remnants from an earlier building configuration and were no longer necessary. The department coordinated with NDPD to remove the delay, eliminating a potential barrier during an emergency response.
Without completing the mandatory training, and taking time to apply it through discussion, this outdated feature may never have been questioned. Instead, training sparked curiosity, critical thinking, and a tangible safety improvement. Leaders across campus are encouraged to access the COOL resource tools in the HR Self-Service Center and take a few minutes to discuss how required training applies to their own spaces.