Week of August 26-30

2024

University Operations: Updated guidance, procedures for sponsored events and activities

University Policy 5000: University Real Property (Buildings, Grounds, Infrastructure) Usage and Events has been updated to provide faculty, staff, and students with guidance and procedures for safely gathering on campus in a manner that positively supports the university’s mission and respects and affirms the rights of others as outlined in Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community.

Members of the campus community are responsible for making themselves familiar with the policies, procedures, and guidelines related to the use of the university’s Real Property – facilities, infrastructure, grounds, and public spaces – owned or leased by Virginia Tech.

Relatedly, Virginia Tech has established Time, Place, and Manner guidelines regarding the use of university Real Property and resources. These guidelines support events in a manner that does not interfere with university functions, negatively impact public safety, or obstruct or damage university Real Property.

For more information including a list of guidelines, revisions, and clarifications to Policy 5000, read this campus notice.

Division of IT: Enhanced cybersecurity protections, resources to guard against hacks

In July, the Division of IT reported a wave of phishing emails targeting Virginia Tech employees attempting to — and nearly succeeded in — diverting direct deposits, including pay, away from their legitimate destination. Fortunately, newly deployed cybersecurity protections within the division detected the unusual login activity as well as other threat actions and put a stop to the hack.

This scam is one example of an increasing number of sophisticated cyberattacks that have been affecting the university. Each member of the university community has a role to play in staying safe online.

Virginia Tech provides and strongly encourages all faculty and staff to use enhanced 2-factor authentication. This form of authentication verifies that the person requesting access is indeed the person who should be in control of that account by using an item such as a smartphone or digital token to prove their identity.

The enhanced 2-factor authentication service is available on request to any Virginia Tech employee, department, or unit, at no cost. To opt in, visit the IT Service Catalog request page, log in with your Virginia Tech username and passphrase, and fill out the online request form.

For more information including background on the attempted hacks and security resources available to the campus community, read this VT News article, visit 4help.vt.edu, or call 540-231-4357.

Board of Visitors: Quarterly board, committee meetings take place August 26-28

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors (BOV) will hold its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, August 28 at 1:15 p.m. in 2100 Torgersen Hall on the Blacksburg campus. An orientation session and retreat will be held in open session on Monday, August 26 for new and returning board members beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Pete Dye River Course in Radford.

On Tuesday, August 27, committee chairs will meet in open session at 8:00 a.m. in the Old Guard Room at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. An information session for board members will start at 9:00 a.m. in Latham Ballroom. Individual committee meetings will take place on August 27 and 28.

The Tuesday information session and Wednesday’s full board meeting will be livestreamed. To view either meeting, visit the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors website. Those attending the meeting in person will need to present a Virginia Tech Hokie Passport or government-issued photo ID and all bags will be searched.

For more information including topics on the agenda and a schedule of committee meetings, read this campus notice or visit the BOV website. If you encounter any issues with the livestream, please call Virginia Tech 4-Help at 540-231-2280.

ICYMI: Recommendations, resources for faculty in establishing class ‘norm of inclusion’

Virginia Tech’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) has developed a resource document with recommendations for instructional faculty and GTAs to assist them in establishing a ‘norm of inclusion’ in their classes beginning with the course syllabus and the first class meeting. These resources and recommendations include:

Guidelines for a community of learners
Community guidelines that make a difference
Communicating welcome, safety, and inclusion

Faculty and graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) may also enroll in one of OID’s inclusive pedagogy courses offered through the Professional Development Network. Inclusive pedagogy is a learner-centered instructional approach built on the principles of respect, inclusion, and cultural engagement.

For more information on these norm of inclusion resources and recommendations, email InclusiveVT or visit the InclusiveVT website.

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.