Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens to my report?
When a student, faculty, staff, or guest of the university files a report, it goes to the Dean of Students Office. There, a record is created and the appropriate office(s) is informed.
There may be involvement or an investigation by the Virginia Tech police, the Blacksburg police, the Dean of Students Office, Judicial Affairs, Human Resources, the Office for Equal Opportunity, the Women's Center or others as is needed.
The Dean of Students Office will make referrals to support services and other resources and coordinate responses with offices and areas affected.
In critical incidents, the Dean of Students Office will convene a Response Team to coordinate campus response. This team will oversee victim and community support, communications, and educational response.
If you have questions, call 231-3787 or e-mail dean.students@vt.edu.
Flow Chart of SafeWatch Incident Reporting
- What is SafeWatch?
SafeWatch is a university program that promotes individual and collective responsibility among students, faculty, staff and guests to incorporate the Virginia Tech Principles of Community into interpersonal and inter-group relationships.
- Why does Virginia Tech need SafeWatch?
In the Virginia Tech community there are people who have information about incidents that adversely affect campus climate but have not made a report. As a community we have pledged to be responsible and therefore to report incidents of prejudice and discrimination on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status as outlined in the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.
- Who oversees SafeWatch?
University-wide coordination for all faculty, staff, students and guests is provided by the Dean of Students Office, a division of Student Affairs.
- Is my report confidential? Will my name be included in any reports?
All information provided through SafeWatch is confidential to the extent permitted by law. Names are not included in any reports produced from SafeWatch.
- Will you notify the police if I make a report?
If the report is a criminal act or the person appears to be in immediate danger then the police will be notified.
- Can I report an incident that I observed, even if it did not happen to me?
Yes, it is strongly encouraged that individuals witnessing an event report it even if it did not happen to them.
- Is the reporting system only for acts of violence?
No, the reporting system is for any incidents of prejudice and discrimination regarding age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status as outlined in the Virginia Tech Principles of Community or any incidents that negatively iimpact the Virginia Tech community.
- Is use of SafeWatch restricted to members of the Virginia Tech community?
No, all visitors and guests of Virginia Tech may make reports regarding incidents involving the Virginia Tech community as well.
- Is the data obtained by SafeWatch used to improve the campus climate at Virginia Tech in any way?
Yes, one of the primary goals of SafeWatch is to promote involvement of the university and larger communities in dialogs and collaborative activities that foster a positive, supportive environment for all groups.
