Patriot Plan for Community Safety and Well-Being
The safety and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff is of paramount concern to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
The university has enhanced our already increased standards of protection and care to address safety and well-being concerns across our university, while maintaining the rights, privacy, and dignity of all in our community.Ìý

University Statements
December 19, 2024
December 13, 2024
August 28, 2024
May 1, 2024
November 28, 2023
November 28, 2023
November 15, 2023
November 2, 2023
October 17, 2023
October 10, 2023
To that end, we offer the following comprehensive approach to :
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1. Enhanced Law Enforcement PresenceÌý
George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Police have increased protection efforts for the entire University community, while also upholding federal and state laws regarding protests and constitutionally protected speech on public property. Police have increased their presence at gatherings, are providing additional security to high profile events, and are engaging federal and state authorities as needed, including stepped-up coordination with the US departments of Homeland Security and Justice, the Commonwealth’s Attorney General, and local and state police agencies. You may see increased patrols and presence in high-traffic areas frequented by students.

2. Enhanced Enforcement of Codes of Conduct
Standards of conduct guide all student, faculty, and staff behavior. They are observed and enforced at all times. That includes the George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ , the Instructional and Research , the , and the Classified Staff code set forth in the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management . None of these permit threatening behavior, harassment, property destruction (which includes the removal and destruction of posters, memorials, banners, etc.), or disorderly conduct.
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3. Complaint Reporting and Response Resource
George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's provides comprehensive resources for preventing and responding to acts of violence in the workplace, including an on reporting acts of violence and discrimination, including information and referral on:
- The university's permanent Threat Assessment Team
- Ways to report violence or threats of violence to police, anonymously, if preferred.
- Report possible violations of the Student Code of Conduct to the Office of Student Conduct.
- Mandatory reporting requirements of certain crimes pursuant to the Clery Act.
- File a report to the Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination unit about acts of possible prohibited discrimination, including that which is based on race, religion, national origin, disability, etc.
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4. Compassionate Listening Sessions
University Life will continue to offer individual Compassionate Listening Sessions. These are in-person conversations with Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ staff members who can provide you with compassionate support through careful listening. This is not a therapeutic service and is not meant to replace therapy. This avenue provides participants with a private opportunity to be heard. If you are interested, please call University Life (703-993-2884) to schedule a support meeting.
5. Advocacy and Resources
Numerous support resources exist to help those in need as a result of experiencing violence, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior, including:
Student Supports
- for behavioral health support
Faculty and Staff
6. Free Speech Guidance and Limitations
The university's commitment to the First Amendment rights of all community members is maintained in George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Free Speech on Campus resource center, which includes a guide to limits of constitutional protections and the means to report disruptions of constitutionally protected speech. While the First Amendment allows for and protects hate speech, it doesn’t mean that we encourage it. We are at our best when we choose speech that makes our point without hateful rhetoric and language and we ask everyone in our community to engage vigorously but do so in a manner that is respectable to others. Guidelines on campus demonstrations, events, and gatherings, are available on our .
7. Freedom and Learning
A hallmark of any worthy university is to teach about the world, and George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ encourages faculty and students to find ways to teach, learn, and listen about the events unfolding around the globe. The George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ community will be invited to participate in events as they are planned, or check Today at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
Faculty-Led Campus and Streamed Events
- - Join President Gregory Washington and Don Graham, Co-founder of TheDream.US, for a Fireside Chat at this year's Freedom and Learning Forum
8. Training
George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ offers a variety of Ìýto combat violence on campus on such topics as civility and violence prevention, bystander intervention, and active threat awareness and prevention.
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Campus Safety Tools
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Alerts
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Alert is Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s emergency notification system that is used to send emergency notifications and timely warnings to the university community via text, email, telephone call, and digital signage. All university email addresses for students and employees are automatically enrolled in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Alert. For anyone that does not have an @gmu.edu account, you can register for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Alert as a member of the George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ community. You will receive the same alerts sent to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students and employees.
Rave Guardian App
Rave Guardian is a mobile safety app, made available for free to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students, faculty, and staff by and .
Download the app today for free from the (iOS devices) or the (Android devices).
Key Features:
- Call or message Police and Public Safety
- Set a Safety Timer
- Access an interactive map of AED locations on campus
- Receive Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Alert emergency notifications
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