You hear about it on the news, but never imagine the possibility that it could happen so close to home. Every student knows the precautions and the security that campuses have in place for these situations, but you never expect to use them.

Friday, in the early morning hours, Kansas State University went on lockdown for an armed subject from a robbery that happened earlier. Students were notified around 4:50 a.m. to stay inside, and lock all doors while officers looked for the armed suspect. Updates continued stating that campus was on a lockdown and that students and employees should not report to campus until given the all clear. As a student, one of my worst fears is having a shooter on campus. A place where you should feel safe and protected is too often the place where students are most vulnerable.

Around 8:30 a.m., students and faculty were given the all clear and were told that classes would resume at 9:30 a.m. While students who had early morning classes overlooked this as a threat, this lockdown was not a reason to miss class, or an excuse to sleep in. KSU was worried about our safety and was taking the precautions necessary in case the situation escalated. Knowing that the K-State police and the Riley County Police Department put student safety as their top priority makes many students feel safer and gives them confidence that if tragedy does strike, our safety won't be compromised.