Campus Safety

General Campus Safety Tips

  • Residents should always have their keys and VCU ID on them at all times. Keys and VCU ID Cards are needed to access residents' rooms and halls. They should not be shared with anyone.
  • Residents should always keep their room locked even if they are home.
  • Use the peephole to identify visitors before opening the door.
  • Any resident leaving for an extended period of time should take valuables and any needed medication with them.
  • Properly secure bikes with "U locks."
    • cAlways have an accurate inventory of personal belongings, including any relevant serial numbers.
  • Register bikes and computers with VCU Police.
  • Carry renter's insurance. The university is not responsible for personal property, and therefore, residents are encouraged to carry personal renter's insurance for their property or have coverage through their guardian's homeowners/renters insurance.

Safety Resources Videos

Ride Pingo

If you are stuck on campus late at night and need an escort, you can request a ride with the Ride Pingo mobile app. Hours are listed below:

  • Monroe Park Campus: 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Students can access the Ride Pingo mobile app for download in Google Play, Apple app stores, and VCU Mobile. Upon downloading the Ride Pingo app, first-time users will be prompted to create an account using their VCU email address. Once an account is created, you will be redirected to VCU’s Central Authentication Service (CAS) and prompted to verify your mobile device. 

Should you need assistance registering for the app or with placing your ride request during the service hours of 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., please contact 828-SAFE (7233) or (804) 250-5019.

RamRide

RamRide is a shuttle service that travels to VCU's remote parking facilities. Buses operate Monday through Friday, and service is free for all VCU students, faculty and staff with a valid VCUCard. While RamRide does not have a set schedule, passengers can track the status of each shuttle and estimated arrival times by downloading the Ride Pingo mobile app.

RAMSWay

RAMSWay is a series of recommended walking and biking routes on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The routes, marked with RAMSWay aluminum signs, connect key VCU locations, such as classroom buildings, gyms, libraries, residence halls and parking decks. For more information, visit the RAMSWay website.

LifeSafe

VCU has provided its community with a personal safety app called LiveSafe. This free, voluntary app is extremely user friendly and available on all Android and iOS devices. Once downloaded, users can send VCU Police information about crimes and ongoing incidents. For detailed instructions, please visit the LiveSafe app. For more information on safety and security practices of our campus, please consult the VCU Police.

Reporting a Crime

If you have safety concerns or if you, or a friend, have been the victim of a crime, please contact VCU Police. VCU Police is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached at (804) 828-1196 for non-emergencies and (804) 828-1234 for emergencies.

VCU Alerts

To ensure that students have the most up-to-date information on inclement weather, class delays, cancellations and other campus emergencies, we encourage all students to sign-up for VCU Alerts.

Fire Safety

Fire Evacuation Points For Each Hall

  • Ackell: In front of the Siegel Center
  • Brandt: Monroe Park
  • Broad & Belvidere: VCU School of the Arts
  • Cary & Belvidere: JL parking lot
  • Gladding Residence Center: Monroe Park
  • Grace & Broad: First Floor of the West Broad St. Parking Deck
  • Rhoads: Monroe Park
  • West Grace North: The grassy area between the Laurel St Parking Deck and West Grace South (across the street from Chipotle)
  • West Grace South: The grassy area between the Laurel St Parking Deck and West Grace South (across the street from Chipotle)

Fire Safety Resources

Fire and Safety Inspections

Fire and Safety Inspections are performed in all residence halls during the Fall and Spring semesters by the Virginia State Fire Marshall's Office and the VCU Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Residents' rooms are inspected to ensure compliance of State Fire Code, as well as compliance with VCU and Residential Life and Housing Fire and Safety policies. During each visit, necessary corrections are made, including confiscation of prohibited Fire and Safety items. Residents found in violation of the Fire and Safety Policies may face judicial action. A full list of prohibited items can be found .

Inclement Weather

Sometimes inclement weather in the Richmond area can impact campus operations. In a weather emergency, VCU Residential Life and Housing will communicate regular updates with all residents via their VCU email, including any severe conditions requiring evacuation or sheltering-in-place. For an immediate weather emergency, such as a tornado, students should shelter within a room with no windows such as a bathroom, interior hallway or interior stairwell. VCU Residential Life and Housing staff will always remain nearby in case of a weather emergency if you have questions or concerns.

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