VCU news

To the VCU & VCU Health community, 

A priority for VCU and VCU Health leaders is that all members of our community feel safe, welcomed and respected on our campuses.

Senior leaders and VCU Police Department officers, in collaboration with other departments, have met with, and will continue to promote the safety of students and community members who have concerns for safety, including Jewish and Muslim students and community members. 

Antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-religious or ethnic-based threats to personal safety, events and locations will be taken seriously and will be investigated in accordance with state and federal laws and applicable policies. VCU and VCU Health maintain active threat assessment teams to review any incidents that pose a danger to the community. 

There are multiple ways in which to report threats. Anonymous tips are accepted:

• Report emergencies to VCU Police 24/7: Call (804) 828-1234 or Ext. 81234 from a campus phone. If you are off campus, or at a satellite location in Virginia, call 911.
• Report non-emergency information to VCU Police 24/7: Call (804) 828-1196.
• Send in tips or other information directly to VCU Police by using the LiveSafe app. Tips are monitored 24/7 and users can send in photos and videos. 
• Report a hate crimeor report a crime on the VCU Police website. Submissions will be reviewed during business hours, Monday through Friday.
• Email VCU’s Threat Assessment Team at tat@vcu.eduor call (804) 828-8940. Messages will be reviewed during business hours, Monday through Friday. Visit the VCU Police website to learn more about VCU’s Threat Assessment Team. VCU maintains a policy for Violence Prevention and Threat Assessment and Management.
• For Threat Assessment and Management at VCU Health, call Safety & Security at (804) 828-4300, Employee Relations at (804) 628-4748 or Risk Management at pager #6107. Information reported is confidential. Callers may remain anonymous.
• On a VCU-owned computer, click the VCU Safety icon (or visit https://go.vcu.edu/safety) to report concerns through the Division of Student Affairs. Messages will be reviewed during business hours, Monday through Friday.

Threats and other conduct directed toward a person because of their religion or ethnicity will be reviewed under applicable policy.

According to policy, VCU and VCU Health prohibit unlawful discrimination in the workplace, academic setting or in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin (including ethnicity) and political affiliation, among other protected categories. 

It is the responsibility of every member of the community to foster an environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. VCU prohibits retaliation against an individual who brings forth a good faith concern, asks a clarifying question, or participates in an investigation under this policy.

VCU and VCU Health maintain codes of conduct for students, employees and team members. 

To report comments or actions that are discriminatory in nature: 

• To the university, email VCU Equity & Access Services at equity@vcu.eduor call (804) 828-1347. For more information and reporting methods, visit https://equity.vcu.edu/. 
• To VCU Health, team members can access the Compliance Services intranet page underReport a Concern.

Support is available for every member of the VCU and VCU Health community. Student support resources include TimelyCare and University Counseling Services, available 24 hours a day at (804) 828-6200. Faculty and staff resources can be found through VCU's RamStrong program. VCU Health team members can visit the Wellness Intranet page, which includes information about the HELPLINK EAP benefit available to all VCU Health team members.

VCU and VCU Health leaders are committed to maintaining safe living, learning and working environments for students, faculty, staff and team members. 

Communities keep communities safe and we ask everyone to be respectful, diligent and proactive in this effort. 

Sincerely, 

John Venuti

Associate Vice President for Public Safety & Chief of Police