Emergencies: Dial or Text 911
Behavioral Health: Suicide-Crisis Lifeline – Dial or Text 988
Department of Police, Safety, and Security: 757-897-3027
Report an incident by visiting the VPCC REPORT IT! webpage.
Email the Threat Assessment Team (threat@vpcc.edu). DO NOT USE THIS EMAIL TO REPORT A SITUATION OR POSSIBLE THREAT.
Crime and Violence Prevention Committee
- Campus crime and violence prevention is a shared responsibility relying upon collaboration of students, faculty, staff, guests, contractors, and our surrounding communities.
- The Crime and Violence Prevention Committee (CVPC) is a multi-disciplinary committee charged by college leadership and the Code of Virginia for:
- providing guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a physical threat to the community;
- identifying members of the campus community to whom threatening behavior should be reported;
- establishing policies and procedures that outline circumstances under which all faculty and staff are required to report behavior that may represent a physical threat to the community, provided that such report is consistent with state and federal law; and
- establishing policies and procedures for:
- the assessment of individuals whose behavior may present a threat,
- appropriate means of intervention with such individuals, and
- sufficient means of action, including interim suspension, referrals to community services boards or health care providers for evaluation or treatment, medical separation to resolve potential physical threats, and notification of family members or guardians, or both, unless such notification would prove harmful to the individual in question, consistent with state and federal law.
- The CVPC is also responsible for enhancing current and establishing new crime prevention, awareness, preparedness, and response programs and processes.
- The work of the CVPC is accomplished by members serving on subcommittees functioning as the College’s:
- Threat Assessment Team,
- Cleary Compliance Committee, and
- Admission Review Panel.
Clery Compliance Committee
- The Clery Compliance Committee helps facilitate the colleges compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA). These laws require providing accurate, complete, and timely information to all current and potential affiliates of the institution regarding campus crime statistics, security policies, and fire safety information. Clery Act compliance is a college-wide responsibility.
- The Clery Compliance Committee is comprised of a multi-disciplinary, college-wide, cross constituent representation focused on meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Jeanne Clery Act.
Admission Review Panel
- The Code of Virginia § 23.1-407 mandates that each public institution of higher education “…shall electronically transmit the [specific information] of each applicant accepted to attend the institution to the Department of State Police…, for comparison with information contained in the Virginia Criminal Information Network and National Crime Information Center Sex Offender Registry File….”.
- Additionally, Code of Virginia § 23.1-407.1.C states, “… Any public institution of higher education may withdraw an offer of admission to any individual whom the institution subsequently determines to have a criminal history that poses a threat to the institution’s community.”
- The Admission Review Panel is comprised of representatives from the College’s Department of Police, Safety, and Security and Enrollment Management and Student Success. The Admission Review Panel is convened to review information received that indicates a student applicant may pose a threat, is a potential danger, is significantly disruptive to the college community, or has provided false information or any information for a fraudulent purpose as part of the admission process. If such information leads the panel to determine that it is in the best interest of the college, the panel may, after providing due process, refuse or rescind admission of that student.
Threat Assessment Team
- Threat assessment procedures provide guidelines for Virginia Peninsula Community College (campuses and educational sites/locations) and identify resources, programs, procedures and safeguards that support a robust safety, security, crime prevention and educational outreach program for faculty, staff, students, and visitors to Virginia Peninsula Community College. The Code of Virginia (§23-9.2:10) requires each institution of higher education to have both a violence prevention plan and a threat assessment team on campus that will implement assessment, action, intervention and follow-up in all cases that involve threatening or violent behavior. Virginia Peninsula Community College is committed to establishing a culture and creating an environment that protects the health, well-being, and security of the campus community. Violence, intimidation, or threats of violence, both specific and implied, will not be tolerated on the campus, and the college reserves the right to take strong and preventive measures to prevent violence before it occurs. To aid in the assessment of threatening and potentially threatening behaviors and/or actions, as well as to provide resources, recommendations, and act on substantiated threats, and in accordance with the Code of Virginia, Virginia Peninsula Community College has established a Threat Assessment Team.
About Threat Assessment
- The Virginia Peninsula Community College Threat Assessment Team (TAT) seeks to improve the safety and security of the campus through a multidisciplinary approach to identifying, managing and monitoring persons and situations that may pose a threat to the members of the college community. The team is committed to early intervention to prevent violence and provide support and resources to persons referred to the team that may need help and intervention. The team also fosters a culture of reporting threats across the campus and provides meaningful training for faculty and staff at the college.
- The Threat Assessment Team provides consultation and support to the College community when a threat to the community has been reported. In severe or extreme risk cases, the Threat Assessment Team provides guidance, recommends interventions, and facilitates communication and coordination throughout the review and intervention process.
Threat Assessment Team Membership
- The Threat Assessment Team is comprised of cross constituent representatives from the following functional areas of the college and supporting organizations:
- Student Affairs
- Human Resources
- Police, Safety, and Security
- Behavioral Health
- Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board
- Colonial Behavioral Health
- Legal Counsel
| Primary Role | Backup Role | Function |
| Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Cochair | Learning & Development Specialist | Human Resources |
| Chief of Police | Police Sergeant | Law Enforcement |
| Dean of Retention and Student Success | Student Conduct & Compliance Coordinator | Student Affairs |
| Director of Campus and Community Initiatives – HT | Student Affairs | |
| Director of Campus & Community Initiatives for the Southeast Peninsula | Student Affairs | |
| Student Conduct and Compliance Coordinator | Dean of Retention and Student Success | Student Affairs |
| Workforce Development, Director of Enrollment and Retention | Student Affairs | |
| Behavioral Health Professionals | Behavioral Health Professionals | |
Threat Assessment Team Protocol
- The Threat Assessment Team protocol was established to provide clear parameters regarding campus incidents that warrant attention. There are three key categories:
- Self-injurious behavior (i.e., suicidal ideation/attempt, cutting behavior, dangerous alcohol/substance consumption, etc.)
- Disruptive behavior that violates campus community safety (i.e., homicidal threats, stalking, assault, cyber bullying, carrying weapons, etc.)
- Unusual behavior (i.e., changes in personality, depressive symptoms, shifts in mood, unexplained irritability and/or lethargy, hopelessness, etc.)
- Once an incident is reported to the Threat Assessment Team, members of the Committee determine the appropriate steps to address the situation. This process is based on the severity of the concern, the ability of the person in question to engage in the resolution, and the situation.
- Student, faculty or staff members who violate any of the above protocols may be removed, temporarily or permanently, from the College for campus safety and student concerns. In situations of elevated concern for campus safety, the student, faculty or staff member may be asked not to return to campus until certain criteria are met.
Threat Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of behavior warrants a referral?
- Any self-injurious behaviors, suicidal ideation, erratic behavior that disrupts or threatens to disrupt the daily operations of the College and activities, or behaviors that might compromise safety should be referred. When in doubt, make the referral.
- What do I do if I know an individual who may need to be referred to the Threat Assessment Team?
- If you feel there is an immediate threat, dial or text 9-1-1 immediately. In non-emergent situation, contact the Department of Police, Safety, and Security at 757-825-2732.
- If you are making a referral online, go to the bottom of this page and click on “Submit an Incident Report.” You will be asked for basic information about the individual, how a representative may contact you, and for a description of the incident or behaviors that prompted the referral.
- Who can make a Threat Assessment Team referral?
- Anyone who feels an individual associated with Virginia Peninsula is a threat to himself/herself and/or the College community can make a referral.
- What happens after I make a referral?
- The Threat Assessment Team members will take the information provided and make a decision regarding appropriate action.
- How do I know if it is a Threat Assessment Team issue or if it is more appropriately handled by another campus resource?
- You do not have to make this determination. If another campus resource is more appropriate, the Threat Assessment Team will refer the student and handle the transfer of information.
- Will I receive a disposition related to my report?
- College officials will complete the appropriate processes and/or referrals as required. Rights to privacy must be maintained (FERPA, HIPAA, etc.). For these reasons, you as the reporting party may not receive any additional information or a disposition of the situation, as it relates to your report.