POLICY NO: 1-28
VCCS POLICY NO: N/A
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/20/2026

  1. Purpose:

    The purpose of this policy is to establish the Violence Prevention Committee (VPC) at Reynolds Community College in accordance with Virginia Code § 23.1-805 and to support the prevention of violence through education, awareness, reporting guidance and the development of campus prevention and intervention procedures.

    This policy supports the College’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning and working environment for all members of the campus community.

  2. Definitions:

    Campus Community: Students, employees, contractors, visitors and other individuals participating in College-related activities.

    Concerning Behavior: Behavior that may indicate an individual is at risk of harming self or others, is significantly disruptive or otherwise poses a safety concern.

    Threat Assessment: A fact-based process used to identify, assess and respond to behaviors that may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of the campus community.

    Threat Assessment Team: A multidisciplinary operational team responsible for conducting behavioral threat assessments and implementing intervention and response strategies for individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the campus community. The Threat Assessment Team operates under the authority of College administration and in coordination with the Violence Prevention Committee.

    Violence Prevention Committee: A multidisciplinary committee responsible for violence prevention education, policy development, guidance and oversight of campus prevention initiatives.

  3. Policy:

    In accordance with Virginia Code § 23.1-805, Reynolds Community College shall maintain a Violence Prevention Committee responsible for supporting violence prevention efforts and developing policies and procedures related to the identification, reporting, assessment and intervention of threatening or concerning behavior.

    The Violence Prevention Committee shall promote education, prevention and awareness initiatives designed to reduce the risk of violence and enhance campus safety.

    1. Mission

      The mission of the Violence Prevention Committee at Reynolds Community College is to promote a safe, supportive and respectful learning and working environment through education, prevention, collaboration and proactive intervention.

      The Committee is committed to identifying and addressing behaviors of concern, promoting awareness of reporting responsibilities and available resources, supporting early intervention efforts and developing policies and practices that enhance the health, safety and well-being of the campus community. Through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, the Committee works to reduce the risk of violence and foster a culture of care, accountability and community responsibility.

    2. Leadership Structure

      The Violence Prevention Committee at Reynolds Community College shall be chaired by a designated senior College administrator appointed by the College President or their designee. The Chair is responsible for convening meetings, setting agendas in coordination with Committee members and ensuring the Committee fulfills its responsibilities under applicable law and College policy.

      The Committee shall include designated representatives from key functional areas, including Student Affairs, Department of Police, Human Resources, a licensed mental health practitioner and other relevant departments as determined by the College. Each member serves in a consultative and collaborative capacity to support violence prevention education, policy development and campus safety initiatives.

      The Violence Prevention Committee operates under the oversight of the College administration and shall coordinate closely with College leadership, legal counsel and other institutional partners as appropriate. Subcommittees or workgroups may be established by the Chair to address specific issues or initiatives, as needed, to support the Committee’s mission.

    3. Membership

      The Violence Prevention Committee shall be composed of representatives from the following functional areas, as applicable:

      • Student Affairs
      • Campus Police/Public Safety
      • Human Resources
      • Licensed Mental Health Practitioner as needed
      • Legal Counsel as needed
      • Other constituencies as appropriate

    4. Membership Training Requirements

      Members of the Violence Prevention Committee at Reynolds Community College shall complete required training to support effective violence prevention and threat recognition.

      Each member must complete a minimum of eight hours of initial training within 12 months of appointment, followed by at least two hours of annual refresher training. Training shall cover threat recognition, reporting procedures, intervention strategies and applicable legal requirements.

      Training will be provided by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) or another DCJS-approved or College-approved equivalent provider. Completion of required training is mandatory for continued service on the Committee.

    5. Authority, Roles and Decision-Making Structure

      The Violence Prevention Committee at Reynolds Community College serves as a policy, prevention and oversight body responsible for establishing campus-wide violence prevention guidance, education and procedural expectations.

      The VPC does not serve as an operational decision-making or case management body for individual incidents. Instead, it provides institutional direction, approves prevention frameworks and ensures compliance with Virginia Code § 23.1-805.

      Operational assessment, intervention decisions and case-specific response actions are carried out by the College’s designated Threat Assessment Team.

    6. Responsibilities of the Violence Prevention Committee

      The Violence Prevention Committee shall:

      1. Establish, maintain and review campus reporting procedures for threatening and concerning behavior;
      2. Ensure that reporting procedures are implemented, widely communicated and accessible to all members of the campus community;
      3. Provide guidance and educational resources to students, faculty and staff regarding the recognition of threatening, aberrant or concerning behavior that may represent a threat to the campus community;
      4. Identify appropriate reporting mechanisms and designated individuals or offices to whom threatening or concerning behavior should be reported;
      5. Develop policies and procedures outlining circumstances under which faculty and staff are required to report threatening or concerning behavior, consistent with state and federal law;
      6. Develop policies and procedures related to:
        • The assessment of individuals whose behavior may present a threat;
        • Appropriate intervention and support strategies;
        • Interim safety measures and administrative actions;
        • Referrals to community services boards, healthcare providers or other support resources;
        • Medical or administrative separation when appropriate and legally permissible;
        • Notification of parents, guardians or family members when appropriate and consistent with applicable law;
      7. Promote prevention programming, training and awareness initiatives focused on violence prevention, behavioral intervention and campus safety;
      8. Coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and community mental health providers, including community services boards, to support timely assessment, intervention and response to threatening or concerning behavior;
      9. Review campus prevention practices and recommend improvements to policies, procedures and educational efforts as needed.

    7. Relationship to Threat Assessment Team

      The Violence Prevention Committee provides policy oversight and guidance to the College’s Threat Assessment Team (TAT), which is responsible for the implementation of assessment, intervention and response procedures related to individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the campus community.

      The Threat Assessment Team is the College’s operational decision-making body for individual cases and is responsible for:

      • Conducting behavioral threat assessments;
      • Determining risk levels and level of concern;
      • Implementing intervention strategies and safety measures;
      • Coordinating referrals, supports and administrative actions;
      • Making recommendations regarding interim actions when appropriate.

      The Violence Prevention Committee and Threat Assessment Team function in a coordinated but distinct manner, with the Violence Prevention Committee establishing policy and prevention frameworks and the Threat Assessment Team executing case-specific response and intervention activities. Administrative actions are implemented by the appropriate College authorities in coordination with the Threat Assessment Team and in accordance with applicable College policies.

  4. Procedures:

    1. Reporting Expectations for Threatening Behavior

      Faculty and staff are required to report behavior when they observe or receive information that reasonably suggests a credible threat of violence, risk of harm, or escalating concerning behavior, including direct or indirect threats, observed escalation of concerning behavior, credible reports from others or indicators of potential imminent risk. The Department of Police and the Threat Assessment Team serve as the College’s primary reporting and intake authorities for threatening or concerning behavior.

      All reports are reviewed by appropriate campus personnel to determine risk level and coordinate support, intervention or referral as needed. Reports are handled as confidentially as possible while prioritizing safety and compliance with applicable laws and College procedures.

      Examples of reportable behavior may include:

      • Threats or acts of violence;
      • Suicidal ideation or self-harm concerns;
      • Significant disruption or erratic behavior;
      • Stalking, intimidation or harassment;
      • Behavior suggesting a substantial risk to health or safety.

    2. How to Report Concerns

      The Department of Police serves as the initial reporting authority for emergency situations, and the Threat Assessment Team serves as the designated intake and coordination body for behavioral concerns.

      1. Emergency Situations (Immediate Threat)

        If there is an immediate risk of violence or harm:

        • Contact Campus Police/Public Safety immediately at 804-523-5911 or 911.

      2. Non-Emergency Safety or Behavioral Concerns

        For behaviors of concern that are not immediately dangerous:

    3. Confidentiality

      Information shared with or developed by the Violence Prevention Committee shall be handled in accordance with applicable federal and state laws related to privacy and confidentiality, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other relevant legal requirements.

  5. Other Information: