Week of April 21-25

2025

From President Tim Sands and SVP Dan Sui: Impacts of federal actions on research enterprise

President Tim Sands and Senior Vice President Dan Sui shared a message last week to update the campus community on the impact of recent federal actions on Virginia Tech’s research enterprise. Here are summary points from the message:

Over the past three months, a number of federal memoranda, proclamations, and executive orders have been released that impact federal funding for research universities.
The Department of Energy recently announced a 15 percent cap on F&A reimbursement for grants to institutions of higher education.
This follows a similar 15 percent cap on indirect costs by the NIH that was barred permanently by a federal judge on April 4.
While we await the outcomes of these legal challenges and congressional actions, shifting priorities have led several federal agencies to terminate or issue stop-work orders on Virginia Tech grants and contracts.
Of Virginia Tech’s 2,315 active federal awards (as of the date of message), 25 have been terminated and 12 are under full or partial stop-work orders.
While Virginia Tech has not yet experienced a substantial decrease in newly awarded research programs under this administration, we are anticipating potential issues in the future.
We are assisting those affected by exploring the possibility of appealing grant cancellations, continuing research to a stage to have publishable results, and seeking other open positions for displaced employees and students.
We have asked deans, institute directors, and other senior leaders to be judicious with new research hires given the level of uncertainty and to monitor spending on non-personnel items.
For those making decisions on sponsored program-related spending, please exercise restraint, especially for long-term commitments.
Regardless of the challenges ahead, we will continue to maximize impactful research and scholarship that make a difference in the communities we serve.

Read the full message on VT News. For updates on federally sponsored grants and contracts, visit the Federal Research Updates website.

OIA, Research and Innovation, and Division of IT: Planning, preparing for international travel

Virginia Tech employees and students are encouraged to be aware of U.S. government regulations and follow established policies to help ensure travel abroad proceeds smoothly and safely. The university’s Global Travel Policy is designed to promote health, safety, and security when traveling outside of the United States.

To assist faculty, staff, and students in planning for international travel, Outreach and International Affairs (OIA), Research and Innovation, and the Division of IT have developed detailed guidance and resources to include:

Preparing for university-supported global travel
IT security guidelines
Additional information for visa holders

International engagement is and will remain central to Virginia Tech’s mission. In addition to the guidance above, travelers are encouraged to review the following websites frequently:

For more information, read this campus notice. Virginia Tech will continue sharing updates and information through these websites as conditions evolve.

Student Affairs: Cultural and Community Centers return to Student Affairs portfolio

Virginia Tech’s Cultural and Community Centers will return to Student Affairs’ portfolio, effective immediately. Heather Wagoner has been promoted to Senior Director for Student Engagement and Community Centers and will continue leadership of Student Engagement and Campus Life while assuming oversight for the Cultural and Community Centers (CCCs).

“I am confident that under Heather’s leadership and with Student Affairs support, the CCCs will continue their good work and our existing partnership with the centers will flourish.” – Vice President for Students Affairs Frances Keene.

This organizational restructuring emphasizes the university’s commitment to creating an inclusive and affirming environment for all students while promoting and advancing student engagement.

While many details still need to be finalized, Student Affairs would like the campus community to join them in welcoming the Cultural and Community Centers.

For more information to learn about developing an appreciation for cultural awareness, visit Students Affairs’ Cultural and Community Centers website.

Commencement 2025: Updated ceremony information, schedules for faculty and guests

The Spring 2025 University Commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m. in Lane Stadium and the Graduate School ceremony will be Wednesday, May 14 at 3:00 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.

The Commencement 2025 website has detailed information on schedules, parking, live stream, regalia, and FAQs. Gates to Lane Stadium will open at 7:00 a.m. on May 16 for the University Commencement ceremony and will open one hour before the start of each college ceremony.

The Washington D.C. Area Commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the GMU Center for the Arts (Fairfax), for graduates of programs located in northern Virginia. See complete event information and schedules on the Washington D.C. Area Commencement webpage.

For more information, schedule updates, and speaker announcements, visit the Commencement 2025 website.

ICYMI: Open, reproducible research through the Open Science Framework

University Libraries invites the campus community to an online workshop on using the Open Science Framework (OSF) to manage research workflows, collaborate with team members, and increase the visibility of projects.

On Thursday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., library faculty will provide both training and hands-on practice using key features of the OSF to simplify and enhance your work. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Describe how open and reproducible research practices can promote efficiency, increase confidence in one’s results, combat publication bias, and advance scientific knowledge.
Understand emerging incentives for open and reproducible research practices.
Create a collaborative project on OSF and customize it to meet their needs.

For more information and to register, read this campus notice or visit University Libraries’ event webpage.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: The Hokie Historian (Department of History)

Please submit a Google form or email Provost Communications for comments or recommendations to improve the Weekly Communications Update or to share faculty, staff, and academic program personnel information.

Visit the provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VT News daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.