Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 1
Campus
and
Workplace
Violence
Prevention
Policy
No.
5616
Policy Effective Date:
6/13/2005
Last Revision Date:
6/20/2024
Policy Owner:
Mike Mulhare, Associate
Vice President for Public
Safety
Policy Author:
Mac Babb,
Chief, Virginia Tech Police
Contact Person:
Mac Babb,
Chief, Virginia Tech Police
Affected Parties:
Undergraduate
Graduate Faculty
Staff
Other
1.0
Purpose
2.0
Policy
3.0
Procedures
4.0
Definitions
5.0
References
6.0
Approval and
Revisions
1.0 Purpose
It is the intent of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to provide a safe and
secure environment for university employees, students, and visitors by establishing
preventative measures and providing assistance and support to victims. This policy
specifically addresses the university's position on the prevention, reduction, and
management of violence to provide a safe working and learning environment for our
students, employees, and visitors at all university owned, controlled, or leased properties,
including locations outside of Blacksburg. In implementing this policy, the university is
guided by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Policy 2.35 Civility in the Workplace. In
accordance with Section 23.1-805 of the Code of Virginia, this policy addresses the
requirements that each public college or university shall have in place policies and
procedures for the prevention of violence on campus, including assessment and
intervention with individuals whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of the campus
community.
The conduct of students is covered, in depth, by the Student Code of Conduct. The
Division of Student Affairs, Student Conduct Office is responsible for implementation.
Nothing in this policy amends the Student Code of Conduct.
2.0 Policy
Virginia Tech does not tolerate acts of violence committed by or against employees,
students, contractual workers, temporary employment agency workers, volunteers,
visitors, or other third parties on university owned, controlled, or leased properties, or
while conducting university business at any location, including representing the
university at conferences or off-site meetings, or riding in university owned or leased
vehicles.
This policy applies to the personal conduct of an employee while functioning in the
course and scope of employment, whether on or off-campus, and to any off-duty violent
conduct that adversely impacts a university employee’s ability to perform his or her
assigned duties and responsibilities. The personal conduct of students involving
violations occurring off university property will be addressed under the Student Code of
Conduct if university officials decide that university interests are involved. Student
employees, including graduate students with assistantships, may also be covered under
relevant employee policies.
It is intended that useful management strategies be employed to identify and prevent
incidents of workplace and campus violence, reduce the effects of violence on victims, and
provide consequences to those who threaten or perpetrate violence. University managers,
employees, and students should report indications of possible hostile behavior, and are not
to be subjected to acts of retaliation for reporting threatening behavior. The university will
use available resources such as the Employee Assistance Program (refer to
Policy 4345
Employee Assistance Program) , law enforcement offices, the university’s Women’s
Center, relevant offices within the Division of Student Affairs, and applicable human
resources and student programs and policies in responding to alleged acts of violence.
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Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 2
The division of Human Resources collaborates with the Office of Equity and Accessibility to provide conflict
resolution services, helping diffuse tensions and resolve interpersonal disputes. The university Ombuds office also
offers independent conflict resolution as an additional resource. [If adding this, I recommend getting Ron Fricker’s
input as the Provost’s Office offers similar opportunities for T&R faculty.
Policy 5615: University Safety and Security Policy provides an overview of existing university safety and security
policies and programs that demonstrate compliance with Sections 23.1-803 through 805 of the Code of Virginia
and the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended. The policy describes the authorities and responsibilities to
carry out programs and operations that promote safety and security of individuals and property and establishes an
operational committee for coordination and oversight of university safety and security policies and procedures. The
policy also defines the specific responsibilities of the Virginia Tech Police Department (VTPD) and other
university offices with responsibilities for campus safety and security, including compliance with the Jeanne Clery
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
2.1 Prohibited Conduct and Sanctions
Violence includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, threats, physical attack, sexual assault, domestic and dating
violence, stalking, or property damage, and includes acts of violence committed by or against university employees,
students, contractual workers, temporary employment agency workers, customers, relatives, acquaintances, or other
third parties on university facilities.
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
•
Intentionally injuring another person physically;
•
Engaging in verbal or physical behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury to an identifiable person;
•
Intentionally engaging in verbal or physical behavior that subjects an identifiable individual to
extreme emotional distress;
•
Engaging in threatening or violent behavior based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or
other protected status;
•
Defacing or damaging property;
•
Threatening to injure an individual or to damage property;
•
Committing injurious or threatening acts related to sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic
violence or sexual harassment;
•
Brandishing a weapon or firearm; and
•
Retaliating against any individual who, in good faith, reports a violation of this policy or seeks
help in addressing concerns arising under this policy.
Verbal behavior also includes use of any method of communication such as email, comments posted on websites, or
other paper or electronic media.
A violation of this policy shall be considered unacceptable conduct and subject to the disciplinary actions under the
appropriate faculty, staff, and student policies, up to and including dismissal.
•
University staff and classified employees are subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the
Commonwealth of Virginia Standards of Conduct Policy 1.60 or relevant university policies.
•
University faculty members are subject to disciplinary review as outlined in the Faculty
Handbook (http://provost.vt.edu/faculty_affairs/faculty_handbook.html
).
•
Hourly and wage employees, including adjunct faculty, are “at will” employees and may be
disciplined or dismissed.
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Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 3
•
Undergraduate and graduate students are subject to disciplinary actions as outlined in Student Code of
Conduct.
Individuals who violate this policy may also be subject to arrest for trespass and/or violation of the appropriate state
criminal statutes, and/or may be barred from campus.
For employees, an act of off-duty violent conduct may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including
dismissal per applicable personnel policies.
2.2 Prohibition of Weapons and Ammunition
The university’s employees, students, and volunteers, or any visitor or other third party attending a sporting,
entertainment, or educational event, or visiting an academic or administrative office building, dining facility, or
residence hall, are further prohibited from carrying, maintaining, or storing a firearm, ammunition, or weapon on
any university facility, even if the owner has a valid permit, , or in accordance with the relevant university policies
or Administrative Code of Virginia.. This prohibition applies to all events on campus where people congregate in
any public or outdoor areas.
Any such individual who is reported or discovered to possess a firearm, ammunition, or weapon on university
property will be asked to remove it immediately. Failure to comply may result in a student conduct referral and/or
arrest, or an employee disciplinary action and/or arrest.
In accordance with this prohibition, students may not possess, use, or store firearms, ammunition, or weapons on
university facilities; however, firearms and other weapons may be stored with the Virginia Tech Police Department
to be checked out for use off-campus. The storage program also applies to ammunition, with the exception of
paintballs, BBs, Air soft projectiles, Nerf gun projectiles, and CO2 cartridges. Organizational weapons of the
Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, approved by the Commandant, are not prohibited by this policy.
2.3 Authorized Exceptions to Prohibition on Possession of Firearms or
Weapons
The following groups are exempted from this regulation:
A. Employees may possess a firearm or weapon only if the employee is:
1. Required to possess the firearm or weapon as a part of the employee’s job duties with Virginia Tech;
2. Using the firearm or weapon during training received by the employee in order to perform the
responsibilities of his/her job with the university;
3. A certified and sworn police officer employed by the Virginia Tech Police Department; and/or
4. Participating in a program sponsored by the Virginia Tech Police Department, wherein the firearms are
provided by the Department and utilized only during supervision by the Department.
VTPD must approve all position descriptions requiring an employee to possess a weapon or firearm.
B. Students may possess and use appropriate tools, such as saws, knives, and other such implements, necessary for
the performance of their job duties or school work, or for student recreational purposes approved under the
Student Code of Conduct
or while participating in a program sponsored by the Virginia Tech Police
Department wherein the firearms are provided by the Department and utilized only during supervision by the
Department.
C. Sworn and certified local, state or federal law enforcement officers who carry proper identification. Please refer
to 8VAC105-20-30. Exceptions to prohibition. (virginia.gov)
, in which Virginia Tech codified as state law its
policy.
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Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 4
D. Individuals participating in sanctioned classes, athletics, or recreational sports practices,
games/matches/tournaments, or events on campus which require the use of such items, may possess and use
implements otherwise categorized as weapons (i.e. archery, starter pistols, etc.) if previously approved in
writing by the Chief of the Virginia Tech Police Department or designee. Requests should be submitted no
later than seven days in advance of the event and should contain sufficient detail to fully describe the purpose
and use of the weapon(s), the time period during which the weapon(s) will be on university property or at a
sponsored event, and where and for how long the weapon(s) will be stored.
E. Contractors and others on campus whose duties require possession and use of an otherwise prohibited firearm
or weapon may possess and use such equipment only in performance of their job duties through a valid
contractual or legal relationship with Virginia Tech.
2.4 Prevention, Risk Assessment, and Response
As part of a larger and institution-wide commitment to a safe campus and workplace environment, the university is
committed to the development of preventative measures, including the campus and workplace violence prevention
committee, the threat assessment team, security planning for at-risk individuals, pre-employment screening, as well
as efforts to increase awareness of conflict resolution, employee assistance programs, student services, and other
outreach and educational initiatives to increase employee and student awareness.
2.4.1 Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Committee
The Chief of the Virginia Tech Police Department, or designee, chairs the Campus and Workplace Violence
Prevention Committee which is appointed by the Associate Vice President for Public Safety and provides an
annual briefing to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVPCOO) and Incident Leadership
Team (ILT). The Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Committee mission is to support the university's
ideal of providing a safe and secure environment through collaboration with our partners. In addition to the
responsibilities outlined by the Code of Virginia, the committee will also be responsible for:
•
Recommending and promoting employee and student awareness and training programs on campus and
workplace violence;
•
Reviewing periodic summary reports from Student Affairs, Police, Human Resources, and other offices
regarding violence prevention programs; and
•
Communicating internally with employees and students regarding violence prevention programs.
2.4.2 Threat Assessment Team (TAT)
The President is responsible for appointing a Threat Assessment Team and its chair in accordance with 23.1-805
Code of Virginia (see President’s Policy Memorandum #251). The team provides an annual briefing to the ILT
and EVPCOO and includes representatives from the Virginia Tech Police Department, Academic Affairs, Student
Affairs, and Human Resources, and a mental health professional. Legal Counsel serves as an advisor to the Threat
Assessment Team. The team is charged with using its judgment to assess, intervene, and follow policies for
individuals whose behaviors may present a threat to the safety of the campus community as appropriate; working
with enforcement and mental health agencies to expedite assessment and intervention; and developing
comprehensive fact-based assessments of students, employees, or other individuals who may present a threat to the
university. The TAT is empowered to take timely and appropriate action, consistent with the judgment of the team,
university policy and applicable law.
2.5 Identifying and Reporting Risks
All individuals are encouraged to be alert to the possibility of violence on the part of employees, former employees,
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students, customers, and strangers. Employees and students shall place safety as their highest concern and shall
report all acts of violence and threats of violence. All reports of violence will be handled in a confidential manner,
with information released only on a need-to-know basis within the campus community and in accordance with
federal and state laws and regulations. Management shall be sensitive and responsive to the potential for fear of
reprisal by employees or students who report threats or acts of violence. This policy prohibits retaliation against any
person who, in good faith, reports a violation of this policy. Every effort will be made to protect the safety and
anonymity of anyone who comes forward with concerns about a threat or act of violence.
2.6 Responsibilities
Administrators, faculty members, staff members, and students should take any threat or violent act seriously and
report acts of violence or threats to the appropriate authorities as set forth in this policy.
Department heads, directors, and supervisors are also responsible for communicating the policy to all employees
under their supervision, overseeing facility safety, identifying and providing violence prevention training to
employees as appropriate, and ensuring that all employees are aware of how to report potential threats.
The Virginia Tech Police Department will coordinate all university action in case of a violent incident on campus
or in the workplace and investigate threats or incidents of violence. Only the Virginia Tech Police or other law
enforcement agencies should attempt to apprehend the alleged offender. As appropriate, the Virginia Tech Police
Department will apprise the Threat Assessment Team.
Human Resources will coordinate employee-related preventive measures, including conducting criminal conviction
checks in accordance with university policy, providing awareness programs to new employees, coordinating
referrals to the employee assistance program, advising employees and managers, making referrals to the Threat
Assessment Team and providing case management, providing conflict resolution services, and coordinating with
other university and community resources to support victims of violence.
Student Affairs will coordinate student-related preventive measures including training for professionals, student
employees (e.g. Residential Well-being Student Leaders), and students through the on-call process and through other
education and training methods. The Student Conduct Office is responsible for responding to and adjudicating
violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The Dean of Students Office staff will coordinate and convene the Care
Team, the goal of which is to coordinate support services and administrative response to crises involving students,
make referrals to the Threat Assessment Team, and provide case management.
Virginia Tech Emergency Management (VTEM) will develop and coordinate the university’s emergency response
plan, advise departments on the development of unit plans, provide templates to support the development of
departmental plans, and coordinate emergency preparedness training for university administrators and departments
in partnership with Student Affairs, Communications and Marketing, Virginia Tech Police, Environmental Health
and Safety, Human Resources, and other offices.
The Women’s Center provides crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, and other support services to
students, faculty and staff who have been impacted by gender-based violence, including but not limited to sexual
assault, relationship violence, stalking, cyberstalking, and harassment, or other forms of campus or workplace
violence. The Center will coordinate services with on- and off-campus partners such as the VT Police Department
and other law enforcement agencies, the court system, the on-campus student conduct process, medical and
hospital services, and shelter services.
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3.0 Procedures
3.1 Reporting Incidents
Any individual who believes there is an immediate danger to the health or safety of any member of the university
community should call the Virginia Tech Police immediately.
The university’s Threat Assessment and Management website (http://www.threatassessment.vt.edu
) describes
indicators of potential concern and identifies resources. Individuals should call the Virginia Tech Police (540-
382-4343) to notify the Threat Assessment Team about a concerning behavior or situation observed.
EMERGENCIES OR PERSONS OF CONCERN: Students, faculty, staff, and visitors may report emergencies,
criminal actions and suspicious behavior to the Virginia Tech Police by dialing 911 from any cellular phone, campus
phone or by activating the blue emergency phones located on campus. The caller should describe the nature of the
emergency to the dispatcher and provide as much detailed location information as possible (Virginia Tech campus,
building or parking lot name or address, room number, etc.). All non-emergency calls to the Virginia Tech Police
should also be directed to (540) 382-4343.
Virginia Tech personnel who work at off-campus sites and sites outside of Blacksburg should inquire with local
officials about the proper procedures for requesting emergency assistance, including the use of cellular phones. Most
Virginia locations use “911” for emergency calls. However, use of cellular phones at off-campus sites to request
emergency assistance may involve delays depending on how the call is routed.
CRIMES: Virginia Tech encourages the community to report all possible crimes to the Virginia Tech Police
Department at 911 for emergencies, and (540) 382-4343 for non-emergencies. Certain crimes may be reported
online at www.police.vt.edu.
Voluntary confidential and/or anonymous reporting is available at
http://police.vt.edu/anonymous.html.
DISTRESSED EMPLOYEES: Concerns about the behavior of or statements made by Virginia Tech employees
including teaching and research faculty employees, administrative or professional employees, classified and
university employees and wage employees may be reported to Human Resources at (540) 231-9331. Matters needing
immediate attention should be directed to the VT Police Department at (540) 382-4343.
DISTRESSED STUDENTS: The Dean of Students Office takes reports of students who may be in distress. The
Dean of Students reporting system allows faculty members and critical staff members identified by department heads
to submit information about a student whose exhibited behaviors or statements may be of concern (in or outside of
the classroom). Contact may be made by phone (540-231-3787) or the reporting system available within the Hokie
SPA/Faculty Access menu. Matters needing immediate attention should be directed to the VT Police Department at
(540) 382-4343.
WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES: An injured employee is required to immediately report an
accident or illness to the direct supervisor. Upon the employee's notification of the injury to the departmental
supervisor, the department is required to offer the employee a Workers Compensation Panel of Physicians. Those
employees needing immediate medical treatment for serious injuries may visit the Emergency Room and should
report the injury as Workers' Compensation at the time treatment is received. Once an employee reports a job-
related injury, the supervisor must immediately file the Employer’s Accident Report, Form VWC No. 3 with
Human Resources within 24 hours of the date/time of the injury (see
https://www.hr.vt.edu/benefits/health-
insurance/workers-compensation.html for procedures and contact information).
OTHER RESOURCES FOR REPORTING:
Virginia Tech Women’s Center CARES Program: Individuals may contact the CARES Program for Survivors of
Violence at the Virginia Tech’s Women’s Center (540-231-7806) regarding concerns about gender-based violence,
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including but not limited to sexual harassment or assault, relationship violence, stalking, and cyberstalking/online
harassment. More information is available on the website (https://www.womenscenter.vt.edu/advocacy.html
). If
help or support is needed after 5 pm during the week or on the weekend, the Women's Resource Center of the
New River Valley's 24-hour hotline at (540) 639-1123 should be used.
SAFE at VT (https://safe.vt.edu): This program provides resources and information about how to report and prevent
sexual violence and harassment, along with support and help for survivors.
Hokie Ready App: The university public safety app, Hokie Ready, includes information on individual preparedness
and emergency actions, and mechanisms for reporting crimes, contacting the Virginia Tech Police Department,
Threat Assessment Team, and other university support resources. Additional information is available on the website
(
https://emergency.vt.edu/programs/HokieReadyApp.html).
Detailed procedures are included in the policies referenced in the body of this policy, the additional related policies
included in section 5.0 References, and on the websites of the university offices engaged in supporting campus safety
and security.
General questions about the Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy should be directed to the Virginia
Tech Police Department. Questions about specific issues may also be directed to:
•
Human Resources (540) 231-9331
•
University Legal Counsel (540) 231-6293
•
Virginia Tech Police (540) 382-4343
•
Virginia Tech Women’s Center (540) 231-7806
•
Student Conduct Office (540) 231-3790
•
Dean of Students Office (540) 231-3787
•
Cook Counseling Center (540) 231-6557
•
Occupational Safety Division - Environmental Health and Safety (540) 231-5985
3.2 Emergency Communications
University Policy 5615, University Safety and Security (http://www.policies.vt.edu/5615.pdf) describes the
university’s emergency communications process. In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended
and Section 23.1-803 of the Code of Virginia, the university has implemented a comprehensive communications
system (VT Alerts) to provide prompt warning notifications and alerts of emergencies or threats to the campus
community using a variety of methods, including but not limited to: email notices; phone, cellular phone, and text
messages; classroom electronic message signs; university website notices; campus loudspeakers and desktop
alerts.
3.3 Support for Victims of Violence
The university shall make efforts to provide a campus and workplace free from violence and to protect and support
victims and those threatened or exposed to acts or threats of workplace violence by offering security measures and
identifying appropriate resources for providing support and assistance. Victims may also need special
accommodations or adjustments to their work or class schedule, location or working conditions in order to enhance
their safety. The university shall accommodate these requests and needs whenever possible and appropriate.
3.4 Security Planning for Potentially At-Risk Employees and Students
Some employees can be at risk for violence/hostility because of the nature of their jobs. Other employees or students
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Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 8
can be at risk because they are subject to violence, threats, or harassment from a current or former spouse or partner,
or other non-employee. The Virginia Tech Police Department, Human Resources, the Women’s Center, and other
offices will work with students and employees who are identified as at-risk, and their supervisors, to develop safety
plans that address the specific risks they face.
3.5 Pre-employment Screening and Criminal Conviction Checks
Human Resources administers the university’s Policy 4060: Conviction and Driving Record Investigation and will
work with hiring managers to ensure that criminal conviction checks are conducted in accordance with the policy.
Hiring managers are responsible for conducting pre-employment reference checks and advising Human Resources
when potential problems are identified.
4.0 Definitions
Ammunition is defined as any material intended for use in a firearm, capable of being projected by a weapon
and/or that makes the weapon operational.
An at-risk individual is defined as an employee, student, or other person who is a potential target or victim of
violence or a threat to self or others.
Assault is committed when one person 1) tries to or does physically strike another, or 2) acts in a threatening
manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. Aggravated assault is defined as a completed or attempted attack
with a weapon and an attack without a weapon in which the victim is seriously injured.
Campus is defined as any location, either permanent or temporary, owned or leased by Virginia Tech. This
includes, but is not limited to, the buildings, grounds, and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots,
field locations, classrooms, residence halls, alternate work or class locations.
A credible threat of violence is defined as a knowing and willful statement, action, or course of conduct that
would cause a reasonable person to believe that he or she is under threat of death or serious bodily injury. A course
of conduct is any series of acts over a period of time, however short, that evidences a continuity of purpose, such as
following or stalking an individual to or from the workplace/campus, telephone calls to the employee or student,
and correspondence with the employee or student, whether by public or private mail, e-mail, interoffice mail, or
fax.
Employee, for purposes of this policy, is defined as any salaried or wage faculty or staff member, graduate students
paid on assistantships, and student workers.
Firearms are defined as any gun, rifle, pistol, or handgun designed to expel or discharge any projectile including
but not limited to bullets, BBs, pellets, or shots, including paint balls, regardless of the propellant used.
Intimidation is engaging in actions that include, but are not limited to, stalking or behavior intended to frighten,
coerce, or induce duress.
Physical Attack is unwanted or hostile physical contact such as hitting, fighting, pushing, shoving or throwing
objects.
Property Damage is intentional damage to property and includes property owned or leased by the university,
employees, students, volunteers, visitors or vendors.
Sexual assault is defined as any forcible sexual activity that occurs without the consent of the victim. It includes,
but is not limited to, unwanted kissing and fondling, forcible vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, and forcible
penetration with an object or finger. Consent is an agreement reached without force, coercion, or intimidation
between persons. Forcible sexual activity occurs when consent is not reached or when the victim is mentally
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incapacitated or physically helpless.
Stalking is defined as repeatedly contacting another person when the contact is unwanted. Additionally, the
conduct may cause the other person reasonable apprehension of imminent physical harm or cause substantial
impairment of the other person’s ability to perform the activities of daily life. Contact includes but is not limited to
communicating with (either in person, by phone or computer) or remaining in the physical presence of the other
person.
Student is defined as any individual who has accepted an offer of admission as an undergraduate, graduate, or
professional student and who has not yet graduated or officially transferred to another institution.
Student employee is defined as any work-study student, student wage employee, or graduate student paid on an
assistantship on the university payroll.
Third Parties are individuals who are not state employees or students, such as relatives, acquaintances, contractual
workers, vendors, visitors, volunteers, customers, clients, or strangers.
Threat is the expression of intent to cause physical or mental harm. An expression constitutes a threat without
regard to whether the party communicating the threat has the present ability to carry it out, and without regard to
whether the expression is contingent, conditional, or future.
University facilities are any location, either permanent or temporary, owned or leased by Virginia Tech, and
includes regional campuses and offices outside of the main campus in Blacksburg. This includes, but is not
limited to, the buildings, grounds, and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field locations,
classrooms, alternate work or class locations, and university owned or leased vehicles.
Victim is defined as an individual who has experienced or witnessed an act or acts of violence or threats of
violence as outlined in this policy.
Violence is defined as any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring on university facilities
or campuses (see definitions) committed by employees, students, clients, customers, relatives, acquaintances or
strangers, but does not include lawful acts of self-defense or the defense of others. Violence includes, but is not
limited to, physical attack, beating, stabbing, suicide or attempted suicide, shooting, rape, domestic violence,
property damage, threats, obscene phone calls, intimidating presence, and harassment of any nature such as
stalking, shouting or swearing.
Weapons are defined as any instrument of combat, or any object not designed as an instrument of combat but
carried for the purpose of inflicting or threatening bodily injury. Examples include but are not limited to firearms,
knives with fixed blades or pocket knives with blades longer than four inches, razors, metal knuckles, blackjacks,
hatchets, bows and arrows, nun chahkas, foils, stun weapons, or any explosive or incendiary device. Stun weapon
is defined as any device that emits a momentary or pulsed output which is electrical, audible, optical or
electromagnetic in nature and which is designed to temporarily incapacitate a person.
Workplace is any location, either permanent or temporary, where an employee performs any work-related duty.
This includes, but is not limited to, the buildings and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field
locations, classrooms, alternate work locations, and travel to and from work assignments. It further includes
university owned or leased vehicles.
5.0 References
Virginia Tech Employee Handbooks
https://www.hr.vt.edu/resources/current-employees/policies-handbooks.html
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Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 10
Faculty Handbook
http://provost.vt.edu/faculty_affairs/faculty_handbook.html
Student Code of Conduct, No. 8300
http://www.policies.vt.edu/8300.pdf
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act
http://police.vt.edu/crime-stats/clery.html
Department of Human Resource Management Policy 2.35 Civility in the Workplace
https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/hrpolicy/policy-2-35-civility-in-the-workplace-policy.pdf
Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Assault, No.1025
http://www.policies.vt.edu/1025.pdf
Conviction and Driving Record Investigation for Employment, No. 4060
http://www.policies.vt.edu/4060.pdf
Employee Assistance Program, No. 4345
http://www.policies.vt.edu/4345.pdf
University Safety and Security, No. 5615
http://www.policies.vt.edu/5615.pdf
Section 23.1, Chapter 8 of the Code of Virginia
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title23.1/chapter8/
6.0 Approval and Revisions
Approved by the Board of Visitors on June 13, 2005, contingent upon review by the Office of the Attorney General.
•
Revision 1
Section 2.2 revised on recommendation and approval of the Office of the Attorney General, August 23, 2005.
•
Revision 2
Section 2.2: Prohibition of Weapons was revised to include dining facilities.
Section 2.4 included the statement that the committee would be appointed by the President, and the name of
the committee was changed.
The new section 2.4.1 was added to include the appointment of a Threat Assessment Team.
Responsibilities of the new Office of Emergency Management were added in section 2.6.
Approved March 19, 2008 by Sherwood G. Wilson, Vice President for Administrative Services.
•
Revision 3
Section 1.0: Added reference to Section 23-9.2:10 of the Code of Virginia.
Section 2.0: Added references to Policy 4315 Employee Assistance Program and Policy 5615 University
Safety and Security.
Section 2.4: Removed “risk assessment” from the title of the Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention
Committee in accordance with the Safety and Security Committee Structure approved by the Board of
Visitors on November 9, 2009. Other changes include clarification of the violence prevention committee’s
specific responsibilities to be consistent with the approved committee structure.
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Section 2.4.1: Clarified the role of the Threat Assessment Team in accordance with the approved Safety and
Security Committee structure.
Section 3.1: Expanded reporting procedures, including procedures for satellite campus and offices.
Section 3.2: Added section on emergency communications
Section 4.0: Added definitions for “ammunition” and “satellite campus and offices”; updated the definitions
for “violence” and “weapons”
Approved December 13, 2010 by Vice President for Administrative Services, Sherwood G. Wilson.
•
Revision 4
Section 2.2: Added the following sentence to the first paragraph: “This prohibition applies to all events on
campus where people congregate in any public or outdoor areas.”
Approved June 12, 2011 by Charles W. Steger, President.
•
Revision 5
Section 2.3: Updated and replaced entire section.
Approved August 21, 2011 by Charles W. Steger, President.
•
Revision 6
Section 2.3: Technical correction to clarify that sworn and certified local, state or federal law enforcement
officers who carry proper identification are exempt from the prohibition on possession of firearms and weapons.
Approved June 25, 2012 by Charles W. Steger, President.
•
Revision 7
Section 2.3: Added exception to weapons prohibition for individuals using implement as part of an approved
sporting event.
Approved October 3, 2012 by Charles W. Steger, President.
•
Revision 8
Technical updates to contact information, references, and website links throughout document.
Approved February 17, 2017 by Timothy D. Sands, President.
•
Revision 9
Section 2.2: Clarified prohibition of weapons includes prohibition on storage of ammunition on campus.
Technical updates to hyperlinks throughout document.
Added paragraph about prohibition of possession, use, or storage of firearms, ammunition or weapons by
students in accordance with the resolution passed by the Board of Visitors on March 22, 2010.
Approved February 12, 2018 by the University Safety & Security Policy Committee
Approved February 12, 2018 by Timothy D. Sands, President.
•
Revision 10
Updates to Campus Workplace and Violence Prevention Committee charge and membership to
ensure consistency with Code of Virginia and various campus department responsibilities.
Section 2.2: Technical updates to language to ensure consistency in paragraphs.
Added reference to Presidential Policy Memorandum #251 regarding the Threat Assessment
Team.
Approved March 11, 2019 by the Safety and Security Policy Committee.
Approved March 19, 2019 by the President, Timothy D. Sands.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy - No. 5616 - Page 12
• Revision 11
Updated Threat Assessment Team membership to comply with Code of Virginia.
Updated committees’ reporting structures to match recent changes to Policy 5615: University Safety and
Security.
Approved June 20, 2024 by Associate Vice President for Public Safety, Michael Mulhare.
