April 29

Editor's note: The number of individuals arrested Sunday has been updated.

6:09 p.m.

Process for claiming abandoned and lost items collected from the Graduate Life Center lawn.

3:53 p.m.

A message from President Tim Sands to the Virginia Tech community.

1:50 p.m.

Virginia Tech Police can confirm that 82 individuals, 53 of whom are current Virginia Tech students, were arrested and all were charged with trespassing.

The Graduate Life Center is open and all activities that were scheduled are taking place.

3:32 a.m.

Incident at Graduate Life Center has stabilized. Police presence remains. Urgent, avoid area. No further updates unless situation changes.

April 28, 10:50 p.m.

On Friday morning, protestors began to occupy the lawn of the Graduate Life Center. Virginia Tech officials informed the protestors that the gathering was in violation of University Policy 5000 (University Facilities Usage and Events). Virginia Tech values free speech and the protestors’ right to be heard, but only if the rights of others and public safety can be assured.

Through constant dialogue between university officials, the Virginia Tech Police Department, and protest organizers, we were able to maintain a safe and peaceful environment through much of the weekend.

As Sunday progressed, protestors continued to refuse to comply with policy and took further steps to occupy the lawn of the Graduate Life Center and outdoor spaces next to Squires Student Center. Given these actions by protesters, the university recognized that the situation had the increasing potential to become unsafe.

Those who gathered were advised by university officials to remove their possessions and to disperse voluntarily; those who failed to comply were then approached by Virginia Tech Police and were again asked to leave and advised that anyone who failed to comply would be charged with trespassing, in accordance with Virginia law.

At approximately 10:15 p.m., police approached protesters to ask them to disperse within five minutes. Those who remained were subject to arrest.

In the interest of public safety, the university issued a VT Alerts at approximately 10:15 p.m. asking members of the community to avoid the area.

For the safety and welfare of all students, faculty and staff, Virginia Tech requires that all members of its community comply with all university policies and the Code of Virginia.

Original post, April 26

Earlier today, a small gathering of members of the university community and others not affiliated with Virginia Tech convened at the Graduate Life Center and placed tents on the lawn. This gathering was not a registered event consistent with university policy. University officials and Virginia Tech Police responded on site to explain the university’s facility use and event policy (University Policy 5000) and related public safety policies. The university will continue to act in accordance with its policies.

The university has communicated to the participants:

  • The current event is not compliant with University Policy 5000, and members of the community are expected to follow that policy.
  • All organized events must be compliant with University Policy 5000.
  • Event participants cannot erect temporary structures without prior approval as a matter of public safety.

The safety and welfare of all members of the Virginia Tech community is the university’s primary responsibility while we remain unequivocally committed to upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom. This is expressed and upheld through our Principles of Community.

Virginia Tech Police would like to remind all community members of the following:

  • Call Virginia Tech Police at 540-382-4343, or 911 if an emergency, to report all suspicious people and circumstances.
  • For additional safety and security resources, visit emergency.vt.edu for a wide range of resources.

Members of the university community who seek support or assistance are encouraged to contact these resources:

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