Message from Provost Clarke: Fall 2021 Updates and Appreciation for Faculty Efforts, Commitment

Dear colleagues,

The excitement and enthusiasm of faculty, students and staff on campus this fall is almost palpable, as we restore the vibrant learning community for which Virginia Tech has a well-deserved reputation. Our ability to deliver largely in-person instruction was made possible by a very successful vaccination program and adherence to proven COVID mitigation practices such as masking and testing. To date, the number of university community members with symptomatic COVID is low, as is the number of positive tests resulting from surveillance of those exempted from vaccination. This is a remarkable achievement, particularly considering how the pandemic continues to challenge our surrounding communities.

Our success in managing COVID thus far would not be possible without the commitment of faculty to the education and welfare of students. I want to thank you sincerely for your continued dedication, tenacity and advocacy for students, and for staying engaged in the discussions and processes that are critical to Virginia Tech’s success. I believe that your efforts are at the center of our progress and have positioned us to deliver on student expectations and those of their families as well as any university in the country. I am exceedingly grateful for all that you have accomplished and contributed.

As we continue our progress through this semester, I recognize that faculty are having to deal with many difficult situations caused by the pandemic and that there may not be published guidelines that apply to specific circumstances. As you share these with college leadership and the provost’s office team, we will do our best to address questions and communicate answers with the academic community. However, it will not be possible to anticipate all situations that a faculty member may encounter. Please know that I trust you to manage these to the best of your ability, based on your experience gained while managing COVID for the last year and a half. If it turns out that a better solution is available, we will work together to make necessary adjustments.

I have been informed that the difficult issues that you have had to address include those related to classroom management and clearly stated expectations for student behavior. Faculty Handbook Section 9.9: Classroom Conduct describes the responsibility of an instructor and should be helpful in ensuring a positive learning environment. Should there be any changes to university health and safety protocols later this semester, faculty should be ready to communicate to students any new or modified expectations as soon as possible.

Please note that faculty are not expected to create or deliver course instruction, assignments or exams in multiple modalities for reasons related to COVID-19, unless there is a documented student need, per Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students were informed of modalities upon registering for the fall 2021 semester and, with very few exceptions and extenuating circumstances, faculty have preserved instruction for students in these formats. Faculty with students who have issues with the current mode of course instruction or requests for accommodation should engage their department heads and the SSD or Dean of Students Office (DOS) as appropriate.

Student absences due to COVID-19 symptoms and/or possible close contact have also created challenges for faculty in ensuring course expectations and standards of learning are met. We are aware of this and have enlisted the help of the DOS to assist faculty with direction and advice on how to address student absences due to possible or confirmed COVID-19 cases. Throughout the pandemic, we have found that students are committed to their own health and to the health of the community, and the overwhelming majority are upfront and honest about their behavior, their symptoms, and their contact with others. Generally, DOS has advised students to communicate with their faculty and to keep up with homework and assignments, and make-up work. Faculty have also been asked to be flexible with students on their absence policies and to work with students to provide options for make-up work and to extend deadlines, if needed. If an absence verification is required, please direct students to DOS. Regarding the public health implications of a student testing positive, it is important to remember that the combination of vaccination and the proper wearing of masks substantially reduces the risk of transmission.

As we continue to monitor positive COVID-19 cases beyond our campus and in our communities, we recognize the impacts on K-12 schools in the region and the challenges that are created for parents when local school districts are forced temporarily to move instruction online. Please know that we will work to support and assist these employees as much as possible while maintaining our commitment to an in-person instructional program. Faculty who are affected are encouraged to keep their department heads/supervisors informed of caregiving issues that arise from changes to K-12 instructional modalities.

Finally, although so much of our attention necessarily is devoted to ongoing management of the COVID pandemic, I acknowledge that this is not the only challenge facing faculty. For Virginia Tech to accomplish its land grant mission, it is imperative that faculty retain the academic freedom to study and engage students in learning about topics that are controversial and, in many cases, uncomfortable, including those that may challenge our personal assumptions and beliefs. Great universities must go beyond the teaching of knowledge and skills, and pay attention also to the attitudes and attributes that enable graduates to understand and navigate the complexities of our society. Indeed, how else can we expect them to carry out our Ut Prosim motto in a manner that prioritizes the welfare of others? To accomplish this vital task, it is important that faculty be assured that I and the academic leadership team are committed to protecting academic freedom from undue external influence, within the boundaries of the law and in the spirit of Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community.

The challenges faculty have faced in preparing for and safely engaging students in the fall semester are eclipsed only be their resilience and commitment to student success. Please know that you have the full support and confidence of university leadership, and we are ready to assist as needed. We understand the concerns you have, both professionally and personally, related to the pandemic’s effect on our tripartite mission, and will work with you to note these impacts as appropriate during review and evaluation processes.

Please accept my appreciation and admiration for all you have accomplished on behalf of our university. I will continue to share information and updates with you as often as possible, and would welcome your feedback as we progress through the academic year.

Cyril