Safety model

The SWAC recommended the expansion of non-sworn public safety supports as well as improvements to the marketing of VCU Police contact information. The following is a progress update on these efforts.

VCU Police has hired a civilian supervisor for the civilian safety ambassadors, an alternative response program, and continues to hire for subordinate positions. The department purchased two vehicles and branded the vehicles specifically for the safety ambassadors. The program is actively being developed during the fall 2022 semester.
On behalf of member institutions of the Virginia Higher Education Procurement Consortium, Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University have entered into a systemwide agreement for telehealth and tele-mental health services with TimelyMD. This agreement will bring additional, much-needed mental health assessment and treatment services to all students at participating colleges and universities at a time when student mental health concerns and needs are increasing across the nation. The service will also be available to all VCU employees by the end of Fall 2022.

TimelyCare serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of campus counseling center resources, with a goal of improving student well-being, engagement and retention. Through TimelyCare on their phone or other device, students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors and mental health providers – at no cost and without the need to bill costs to traditional insurance – including:

- On-demand mental health support (TalkNow).
- Appointment-based mental health counseling.
- Psychiatric support.
- Health coaching.
- Care navigation with basic needs.
- Digital self-care content.
During summer 2022, VCU Police has used various methods to increase awareness of the department’s main phone number, 828-1234.