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Message from the Provost: Updates on Federal Actions and Support for Campus Community

March 4, 2025

Dear colleagues,

As Virginia Tech continues to monitor and assess the impacts of recent federal actions on our academic and research missions, I wanted to provide you with an update on the work of our leadership team and to address feedback we have received from the university community. Please know that we recognize the pressure and concern these executive orders and actions have created for our faculty, staff, and students, and we remain committed to doing our best to provide guidance and information as we navigate these developments.

University leadership continues to commit significant time and attention to tracking federal directives and actions, working with legal and legislative groups to understand and evaluate them, and addressing emerging issues in a prioritized manner. This process includes targeted communications to stakeholders and governance bodies explaining the potential impacts of the various executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations.

We acknowledge that many of these orders and actions could impact academic programs and funding, but as many have been enjoined by federal courts, it may take time to determine which directives are ultimately actionable. In the meantime, we are focusing on actions that currently have direct impact, such as stop-work orders on federally funded grants and contracts, and we are reviewing and addressing any current impacts on employees and graduate students. For the latest updates on federally sponsored grants and contracts, visit the Research and Innovation website.

Virginia Tech remains steadfast in its commitment to academic freedom which includes the freedom of students to select courses of study that engage their interests as well as the freedom of faculty to pursue scholarly lines of inquiry and creative expression. These opportunities are foundational to Virginia Tech and its land grant mission, and we will continue to uphold them (see the university statement on freedom of expression and inquiry).

Finally, we recognize that many in our community are experiencing a great deal of anxiety and frustration with both the short- and long-term implications of these orders. While most of these factors are beyond our control and information is limited, it doesn’t diminish the angst you and your colleagues are feeling and we want to reassure you that we understand, empathize with, and share in your concerns.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the progress, success, and advancement of Virginia Tech. As we move forward together, we encourage you to remain focused on your important work, continue striving for excellence, and support and advocate for your students and for one another.

Please stay connected and share feedback with your deans, departments heads, and school directors, who will be able to provide college and classroom level guidance on these and related matters. You can also continue to email questions and concerns to Provost Communications. For students or colleagues who may need additional support or assistance, please encourage them to take advantage of the university resources listed below.

Cyril