GA-1011 University Safety and Security - Health Sciences and Technology (HS&T) Campus

1.0       Purpose

To ensure that the Health Sciences and Technology (HS&T) campus guidelines and procedures are in alignment with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT) University Safety and Security policy (No. 5615).

The purpose of this guideline is to define institutional authority, roles, and jurisdiction related to campus safety and law enforcement services supporting the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) on the VT HS&T campus. 

2.0       Guideline

2.1 Carilion Police

The HS&T campus is served by Carilion Police and security officers. Carilion Police has security on-site at the HS&T campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and possesses full police authority within its jurisdiction.  Carilion Police law enforcement and security services officers are responsible for maintaining safety and responding to criminal activity affecting facilities, programs, and community members on the HS&T campus.

Carilion Police has complete police authority to apprehend and arrest anyone believed to be involved in illegal acts on-campus and in areas immediately adjacent to campus. Any VT-owned or leased property in outlying areas may be patrolled jointly by Carilion Police and Roanoke City Police. If minor offenses involving VT and/or VTCSOM rules and regulations are committed by a VTCSOM student, the Carilion Police may refer the individual to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to discuss potential violation of VTCSOM attributes of professionalism and/or needed disciplinary action.

Carilion Police maintain a National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) and Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) computer terminal. Through this system, police personnel can access the National Crime Information Computer system and the Virginia Criminal Information Network computer. These computer databases are used for accessing criminal history data, nationwide police records, driver/vehicle identification information, as well as other local, state, and federal law enforcement information. Carilion Police will provide daily crime statistics to students and faculty upon request. The statistics are available for viewing in the main office at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, 5th floor. Additionally, the Carilion Clinic Police Department provides crime data to the Virginia Tech police, who submit the Clery Act data to the Department of Education.

Carilion Police personnel work closely with local, state, and federal police agencies and have direct communication with the Roanoke City Police Department through our twenty-four-hour emergency police dispatch service. The emergency telephone number for Carilion Police is (540) 981-7911.

2.2 Roanoke City Police

HS&T campus professionals coordinate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Roanoke City Police Department, for incidents that fall outside the primary jurisdiction of the Carilion Clinic Police Department or that require joint investigative or prosecutorial action. This policy establishes institutional awareness of law enforcement authority and jurisdiction and is intended to support transparency, safety reporting, and appropriate response to campus safety concerns.

Major offenses (e.g., assault, robbery, auto theft) are reported to the local police, and joint investigative efforts with investigators from Roanoke City Police are deployed to investigate these crimes. The prosecution of all criminal offenses, both felony and misdemeanor, is conducted at the Roanoke City General District Court or the Roanoke City Circuit Court.

2.3 International Travel – Global Health Elective

Consistent with VT Policy No. 1070, to participate in a Global Health Elective, the student must create a My Study Abroad account, register their trip with the Virginia Tech Global Education Office (VTGEO), and complete all the required tasks associated with that process.

2.4 Threat Assessment Team (TAT)

Consistent with VT Policy 5616 section 2.4.2, the HS&T campus alerts the VT Threat Assessment Team if there is a potential campus threat that the team needs to “assess, intervene, and follow policies for individuals whose behaviors may present a threat to the safety of the campus community.” Furthermore, TAT is “empowered to take timely and appropriate action, consistent with the judgement of the team, university policy and applicable law.”

2.5 Safety and Security Programs

Consistent with VT Policy 5615 (section 2.2.4) members of the HS&T campus are encouraged to engage with programs and trainings designed to inform “students and employees about individual preparedness, emergency response and protective actions, campus crime prevention, safety and security.” Information on these topics is available through public safety division websites (www.police.vt.edu; www.emergency.vt.edu; www.ehs.vt.edu).

2.6 Building Access Control

Buildings on the HS&T campus (Riverside complex) have controlled access (via proxy cards). Student and employee access is limited to spaces on the campus where individuals have an academic or professional reason to study and/or work. Public spaces on the HS&T campus are unlocked during business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Students have proxy access to designated locations (e.g., library, study spaces, gym, student lounge) 24 hours a day and 7 days a week (including when the building is closed due to weather).  VT Policy 5620, Access Control: Key Control provides additional details on how access is issued, monitored, and maintained.

2.7 Use of HS&T Campus Facilities

In alignment with VT Policy 5000, the HS&T campus has guidance for events and programs. To learn more about the use of HS&T campus Facilities, refer to VT Policy 5000 and supporting HS&T campus procedures found in the VTCSOM Real Property (Building, Grounds, Infrastructure) Usage and Room Request guideline.

3.0       Procedures

The following procedure outlines the mechanisms in place on the HS&T campus in the event there is an immediate danger to the health and safety of any member of the university community. 

3.1 Emergencies or Persons of Concern

Students and employees may report emergencies, criminal actions, or suspicious behavior on the HS&T campus by calling Carilion Police (540-981-7911) or by activating the blue emergency phones located on the HS&T campus (Riverside complex). Students and employees are encouraged to save the Carilion Police phone number in their personal cell phone.

3.2 Crimes

VT HS&T campus encourages the community to report all possible crimes to Carilion Police at 540-981-7911, 7-7911, or 911.  Voluntary and anonymous reporting is available at https://safe.vt.edu.

Students have the option of contacting other VTCSOM resources such as the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, or Assistant Dean for Student Vitality. Each of these individuals is a mandated reporter for concerned incidents of sexual harassment, discrimination, or violence. Therefore, these individuals, consistent with VT Policy 1026, Policy 1025, and Policy 13020 are responsible for reporting violations.

3.3 Crime Alerts and Timely Warnings

Consistent with VT Policy 5615 (Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy) section 2.2.1 Federal Directives and the Clery Act, “timely warnings” are provided to the community in the event of a reported crime.

3.4 Emergency Communications

Consistent with VT Policy 5616 Section 2.4.2, the HS&T campus has an emergency notification system used to provide prompt warning notifications and alerts of emergencies or threats to the HS&T Campus community. Should an occasion arise when the Carilion Police, VTCSOM faculty, and/or HS&T campus administration deems an ongoing or continuing threat to safety, a campus-wide warning will be issued to provide instructions. This warning will be issued to all students, faculty and staff through multiple sources, including Everbridge, VT Alerts, the VT email system, and the Carilion Police website. Such outlets are designed to notify students and employees immediately to ensure safety.  In instances when a particular circumstance does not pose an immediate threat to the community or individual, a notification may be only posted in the VT email system.

3.5 No weapons on campus

Consistent with VT Policy 5616 (Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy), no weapons are allowed on the HS&T campus. This includes handguns, long guns, and knives with blades 4 inches or longer. Violations will be handled not only as a legal issue but a VT conduct violation.

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, 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 weekends, 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.

4.0       References

• Carilion Clinic Police 540-981-7911
• Roanoke City Police Department
• Virginia Tech Women’s Center CARES Program
• SAFE at VT
• VT Policy 1025 - Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Assault
• VT Policy 1026 - Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment and Responsible Employee Reporting
• VT Policy 1070 - Global Travel Policy
• VT Policy 5000 - University Real Property (Building, Grounds, Infrastructure) Usage and Events
• VT Policy 5615 - University Safety and Security
• VT Policy 5616 - Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
• VT Policy 5620 - Access Control: Key Control Policy
• VT Policy 13020 - Policy on Misconduct in Research
• Virginia Tech Police Department
• Virginia Tech Emergency Management
• Virginia Tech Environmental Health Services

5.0       Approval and Revisions