Messages from Paul Timmreck and President Trani

A Message from Paul W. Timmreck, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration

(Monday night), the Office of the Governor announced an increase in the threat of terrorist conditions to orange level — high threat, high risk. This elevated level is due to similar action by the federal government because of potential military conflict in Iraq.

Pursuant to the notification by the Office of the Governor, we are implementing contingency plans for an orange level threat at Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Medical Center. Employees and students should report any suspicious activity, people, packages or vehicles at Virginia Commonwealth University or the VCU Medical Center to the VCU Police at 828-1234. Reports concerning off-campus locations should be provided to your local police department.

If you plan on traveling, please be aware that you may encounter delays and/or searches of baggage. Finally, under these circumstances, it is incumbent on each of us to be more aware of our surroundings.

The intent of this communication is not to cause undue alarm, but to comply with procedures outlined by the Commonwealth’s Office of Virginia Homeland Security. Neither the University nor its Medical Center has received any threats. Thank you for your cooperation.

A Message From VCU President Eugene P. Trani

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff of the University and the Health System:

During these times of global tension, it is especially important to emphasize that we as a university community place great value on the free exchange of ideas. I know that our faculty, staff and students recognize the privilege of studying and working in an environment which holds very dear the importance of civility, tolerance and appreciation of varied perspectives. Our diversity is one of our greatest assets, and in these times appreciation of our diversity should be particularly important to us.

Please know that while tensions may escalate around the world, our own university community can come together to talk and to listen. I know that there will be campus events and organized discussions in the near future, and I encourage faculty, staff and students to take advantage of these events. Details about them will be highlighted on the home page of our university Web site. In addition, a “VCU Alert” Web page, accessed through the university’s home page, will be operational tomorrow so that the university community, along with family and friends, can easily access important emergency campus information.

Please keep in your thoughts the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Services — a number of whom are VCU students, or family of our students, faculty and staff — whose lives may soon be at risk.