Three university safety programs expanded to encourage faculty, staff participation
Virginia Tech is offering new opportunities for faculty and staff to enroll in three campus programs designed to engage more community members in campus safety and emergency response issues.
Classes will be offered during business hours this summer and will begin as early as May 18.
“The Office of Human Resources, Virginia Tech Police, and the Department of Emergency Management are working together to offer the three safety education programs — Faculty/Staff Police Academy, Rape Aggression Defense Class, and Campus Citizen’s Emergency Response Team — during working hours so even more university employees can participate,” said Hal Irvin, associate vice president for human resources. “Department heads will be encouraged to allow their personnel to attend these sessions as part of their regular work day.”
For several years, Virginia Tech Police has offered Student Police Academy and Rape Aggression Defense primarily to students because programs were held generally during the evening — a time more conducive to students and less so to faculty and staff.
“We have received many requests from faculty and staff asking us to offer these programs during the day or in the summer months to better accommodate their schedule,” said Officer Geof Allen, who heads the Virginia Tech Police Community Outreach Unit. “We’re pleased that we can present faculty and staff more opportunities to take these courses.
Each program will be offered this summer during working hours. Enrollment is limited, and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. All applicants that do not make the initial class will automatically be put onto the roster for the next offering.
Courses will continue to be offered in the evenings during the fall and spring semesters.
Faculty/Staff Police Academy
The Faculty/Staff Police Academy is a hands-on, inside look at university law enforcement. It is a free class in which participants will learn the role of law enforcement in a campus community. This is not only an opportunity to better understand policing, but also is an opportunity for the department to more deeply understand the community.
More information may be found online. The application must be printed, signed, and campus mailed to mail code 0523. Enrollment is limited to 35.
- The class will be held from May 18 to June 22 on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Physical Plant classroom.
Rape Aggression Defense Class
The Rape Aggression Defense Class is a free self-defense class for women only, ages 16 and up. This class teaches how to recognize a threat, avoid it, resist it, and overcome an attack. This class is both hands-on and lecture, and can be completed regardless of physical condition or injuries.
More information can be found online. The application can be completed online. Enrollment is limited to 30.
- The class will be held from July 26 to Aug. 16 on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Inn at Virginia Tech.
Note: This class is offered throughout the academic year in the evenings. Each class is three hours on three different days.
Campus Citizen’s Emergency Response Team
The Campus Citizen’s Emergency Response Team is designed to prepare volunteers to better assist in emergency response on and around campus. This class teaches fire suppression, disaster medical operations, search and rescue, terrorism, and more. Those who successfully complete this class will become part of the response team for the university and will be provided response equipment (such as backpack, helmet, and medical equipment).
More information may be found online. The application can be completed online. Enrollment is limited to 35.
- This class will be held from May 20 to June 28 on Thursdays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Physical Plant classroom.
Questions may be directed to Allen at (540) 231-8123.
