Week of August 14-18

2023

CETL: Syllabus tips and sample statements for Virginia Tech faculty, instructors

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) has developed webpages for Virginia Tech faculty with tips and sample statements that can be adapted to fit the needs of course instructors. CETL organized the pages into categories, including required syllabus elements as referenced in the Faculty Handbook (Section 9.6.1: Syllabus and Performance Expectation) and additional considerations that may be beneficial to the learning environment.

Course syllabi requirements include the following:

For more information on developing/updating course syllabi, reference the Faculty Handbook or visit the Syllabus Tips and Sample Statements webpages.

Arts@VirginiaTech: Applications now open for Diverse Voices and Perspectives Lecture Series

The Diverse Voices and Perspectives Lecture Series (formerly Women and Minority Artists and Scholars Lecture Series) is designed to promote the number and diversity of scholarly voices and artistic expressions from underrepresented communities by providing funding assistance for Virginia Tech departments and other units.

With support from Arts@VirginiaTech and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the program provides up to $750 in funds to support events and experiences that provide students with opportunities to interact with guest lecturers or artists to increase their access to successful women and minority role models.

Invited speakers may be from any discipline, gender, race, or ethnicity. Invitations to speakers whose scholarship incorporates race, gender, class, or international perspectives are especially encouraged. Presentations that would appeal to a wider audience will be given preference.

Applications are due by Monday, September 18.

For more information, read this campus notice or visit the Diverse Voices and Perspectives Lecture Series website.

Global Strategic Services: Information sessions for new international faculty

All new international faculty at Virginia Tech are invited to an information session with Global Strategic Services (formerly: International Support Services) office staff. Sessions will be held at The Inn at Virginia Tech on Wednesday, September 6 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., and Thursday, September 7 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Plan to attend the session that best fits your schedule and learn:

Rules to maintain your nonimmigrant (H-1B, J-1, TN) status
When to renew your nonimmigrant status
How to obtain a Virginia driver’s license
Steps to obtain a visa in your passport (and if it is really necessary)
Work authorization options for spouses
Permanent residency (a/k/a “green card”) process and options for our international faculty

For more information, read this campus notice or email Kim Rhodes in Outreach and International Affairs by September 1 to RSVP and indicate which session you plan to attend.

ACC Innovation Initiative: Call for faculty proposals for ACC research grant program

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Center for Research in Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill extend a call for proposals for the Fourth Annual ACC Innovation Initiative Research Grant Program. Virginia Tech faculty are invited to submit a proposal for this competitive program designed to assist conference athletics administrators with data-driven decision-making.

Several grants will be awarded to financially support faculty members and students from ACC member institutions, including Virginia Tech. Priority will be given to research related to the following topical areas:

Student-athlete welfare
Revenue generation and finance/budgeting-related topics
Organizational behavior and managerial issues within athletics departments
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)
Current issues, including governance structure and transfer student-athletes

For more information and proposal guidelines, please read this campus notice. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 20.

ICYMI: Update on repositioning and relocation of D.C. area programs, support services

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message recently with Washington D.C. area faculty and staff to update them on the process of relocating academic programs and operations currently housed at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church to allow for redevelopment of the Falls Church site and to center administration of regional programs at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

This repositioning of academic programs and support services in northern Virginia is an important step towards enabling Virginia Tech’s long-range vision for the region. Topics covered in his message include:

Closing of the Northern Virginia Center
Relocation of Tech Talent Initiative programs and personnel
Accommodation of other programs and student/administrative support services at the Innovation Campus

For more information, visit the Provost’s Office website or read this campus notice.

Additional Resources and Updates

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.