The University of Virginia strives to maintain a safe and secure environment.

University Police Department 

The University Police Department (UPD) is a nationally accredited, full-service department offering all the services of local municipal police, as well as many other services unique to an academic institution. By statute, the department has jurisdiction over University property, adjacent streets, and sidewalks. In addition, through an agreement with the Charlottesville Police, UPD has concurrent jurisdiction in the community surrounding the University. The department also has responsibility for enforcing University rules and regulations and works cooperatively with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials. UPD produces a range of crime prevention materials and offers crime prevention personnel to provide seminars and programs by request. Any criminal or suspicious activity should be reported to police by calling 911.

Fire Safety and Security

The University publishes an annual Fire Safety and Security report providing information on crime prevention, fire safety, the law enforcement authority of the University Police Department, and crime reporting policies. The report also provides statistics about crimes that occurred during the previous three years on Grounds, in designated areas near Grounds, and in other locations specified by law. The report is available online at the University’s Clery Act web site. Copies are available by request from the University Police Department by phone (434-924-7166) or email (police@virginia.edu).

Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management helps the institution plan, mitigate, respond, and recover from emergencies, large and small. Emergency Management develops and communicates the University’s key emergency policies, strategies, procedures, and plans (including the Critical Incident Management Plan). The office champions personal readiness and resiliency and is responsible for preparedness training at UVA. Emergency Management collaborates with the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and other local, regional, state, and federal agencies on emergency planning.

During an emergency, Emergency Management provides timely and accurate information through many channels including:

• UVA Alerts – SMS and email notifications of critical incidents that pose an imminent threat to the health or safety of the University community. Registration is available at UVA Alerts. You may also register for desktop alerts in case of emergency.
• Note: Students, faculty, staff and UVA Health team members with a valid @virginia.edu account automatically receive email alerts. Such individuals who have registered their mobile phone number with the University during orientation or onboarding will also automatically receive text alerts.
• In classrooms and public spaces, alert notices appear on LED and LCD screens.
• Alert notices appear on the UVA homepage and the emergency homepage. The emergency homepage also displays the most current official information and instructions on how to respond. 
• The Operations Status Board displays changes to the operating schedule caused by emergent events.

Threat Assessment Team

UVA has established a multidisciplinary Violence Prevention Committee (VPC) and Threat Assessment Team (TAT). The VPC develops policies and procedures for the prevention of violence on Grounds, including assessment of and intervention with individuals whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of the University community. The TAT is the body responsible for executing those policies and procedures. Per UVA Policy HRM-028: Preventing and Addressing Threats or Acts of Violence the TAT assesses, manages, intervenes, and mitigates acts or threats of violence by or against faculty, staff, students, patients, visitors, and others not affiliated with UVA.

Faculty are an essential part of the TAT’s mission and should share incidents, observations, or communications that create concern about potential violence with the Office of Threat Assessment . If there are immediate safety concerns, faculty should call 911. For more information about the Threat Assessment Team, visit the team’s website .

Online Targeting Resources

The University has developed a collection of resources related to online targeting.  It covers steps that individuals can take to protect themselves online, what to do if you are being targeted online, and related University policies.