Virginia Tech Audit Finds Crime Reporting Gaps
An internal review found a data system missed some 2024 drug and alcohol referrals, and most designated reporters had not completed required training.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in College Applications
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A Virginia Tech internal audit found gaps in campus crime reporting, including a system that failed to capture some potentially reportable drug and alcohol referrals from 2024. The audit identified 63% of designated Campus Security Authorities as not having completed required training.
Why it matters
Accurate campus crime statistics support federal reporting compliance and help students and families assess safety at Blacksburg's largest institution. The findings show that staffing turnover and inconsistent procedures can undermine the accuracy of reported data.
The audit found 63% of designated Campus Security Authorities had not completed required training, and no issues were identified in crime categories other than drug and alcohol referrals. The review of 2024 referral data remains ongoing, so the number of potentially missed reports is not yet known.
The players
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public land-grant research university in Blacksburg, Virginia, and the state's largest university by enrollment.
The details
A crime data system used to collect referrals failed to capture some potentially reportable drug and alcohol cases from 2024, and employee turnover and a lack of standardized procedures contributed to the problem. Virginia Tech has updated the database search used for referral data, is working to standardize reporting procedures, and will have Student Affairs help verify the numbers.
Timeline
2024: The crime data system failed to capture some drug and alcohol referrals.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Audit findings were presented to the Board of Visitors.
September 2027: Deadline to complete corrective-action plans.
Legal Context
Universities that receive federal student aid must report campus crime statistics under the Clery Act, which requires accurate tracking by designated Campus Security Authorities. Virginia Tech's audit shows how staffing turnover and missed training can create gaps in that federally mandated reporting.
Families comparing colleges can review published campus crime statistics, but should note that Virginia Tech's 2024 drug and alcohol referral figures are under review and may change. Prospective students touring Blacksburg campuses can ask admissions offices how their schools verify reported crime data.
The takeaway
Reliable campus safety data depends on consistent training and procedures, not just on the reporting system itself. Applicants should look for schools that verify and update their crime statistics.
What happens next
Virginia Tech must complete its corrective-action plans by September 2027, and the university is still reviewing its 2024 drug and alcohol referral data.
Further reading
For context on how campus safety records shape school decisions, see College Applications coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wdbj7.
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