About
Led by Andrew P. Daire, Ph.D, VCU Dean School of Education, and Sheryl Garland, Chief of Health Impact for VCU Health System, the VCU Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee (SWAC) is charged with defining and instituting the components of a new transformational model for public safety and wellness across VCU, while leveraging a transdisciplinary approach, to better meet the safety and wellness needs of the VCU community. This committee operates within a purview independent of VCU Police.
The responsibilities of SWAC are divided between the Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee and its three subcommittees: Transformational Model Development, Fair and Impartial Policing, and Community Relations.
Year-one objectives
A core function of SWAC and SWAC subcommittees is to evaluate and recommend a citizen oversight process and infrastructure. The goal is to review VCU’s safety and well-being activities and inform operational and strategic decisions. In addition, subcommittees will work to achieve the following objectives.
Committee structure
SWAC is co-sponsored by constituents from across VCU and VCU Health System. These members review and provide feedback on initiatives, provide strategic direction and oversight, and make final recommendations. To further achieve the committee's objectives, the responsibilities of SWAC are divided between the Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee and its subcommittees. The executive committee provides governance to the overall process. The SWAC serves as the steering committee, some members of which also serve as subcommittee chairs and members. Subcommittees are designed to focus on specific areas with deliverables defined by SWAC.
Review VCU’s wellness and safety activities and results and assist in the development and implementation of our new transdisciplinary model for campus safety and wellness with the goal of addressing and promoting health equity.
- What disciplines/experts (transdisciplinary team) can be brought together to improve safety and wellness activities during first response and emergency response/crisis situations?
- How does this team partner with sworn and unsworn police and safety personnel?
Review VCU Police strategies and initiatives to achieve fair and impartial policing to ensure they are successful and meet the safety and well-being needs of the VCU community.
Enhance the relationship between VCU Police and the VCU community at large. Provide community voice to guide initiatives for the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff and community members.
Recommendations from SWAC and its sub-committees will be presented to VCU’s Board of Visitors and Cabinet in May 2021.