The safety of our students, faculty, staff and community is a top priority for Virginia Tech.  We take this responsibility very seriously because safe living and learning environments are more healthy, respectful, and productive.  Our professional, accredited Police Department and Emergency Management teams work together with our well-trained Housing and Residence Life, Counseling Center, Health Center and Dean of Students’ staffs and other employees from across campus to build, improve, and sustain university resilience, departmental readiness, and individual preparedness.

We encourage every member of the campus community to “Be Hokie Ready” – to actively engage in basic emergency preparedness efforts.  We recommend each student take some simple steps to begin:

  • Download the LiveSafe mobile technology application. This tool has several beneficial features, including:
    • Important “What to Do in an Emergency” information;
    • Navigation instructions for the Blacksburg campus;
    • SafeWalk “virtual escort” monitoring; and,
    • Ability to share reports of suspicious activity.
  • Call 911 to report or request assistance during an emergency.
    • We also recommend programming the non-emergency number for the Virginia Tech Police Department in your cell phone: 540-382-4343.
  • Subscribe to VT Alerts
  • Take the No Hokie Left Behind pledge and share it on social media using #nohokieleftbehind.
    • Remember: Go with Friends, Stay with Friends, and Leave with Friends!
  • Learn the difference between Secure in Place, Shelter in Place, and Evacuation.
  • On campus residents should meet the Resident Life Resource Officers
    • Their office is located on the first floor of New Residence Hall East. Students can contact resource officers by phone at 540-231-6102 or via the RLRONation Facebook page.

Though safety of the Hokie Nation is a collective responsibility, it does require action. Individual emergency preparedness is the first and most important step in creating a resilient university environment.  Do your part by completing the actions above. Your partnership helps ensure every community member can live, learn, and work in a safe and supportive environment.

Go Hokies!

Patricia A. Perillo, vice president for Student Affairs
Sherwood G. Wilson, vice president for Operations

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