Week of August 7-11

From Provost Clarke: Update on repositioning and relocation of D.C. area programs, support services

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message this week 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.

InclusiveVT: Recommendations, resources for 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 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.

Division of IT: New information adjusts planned course on email, online storage

Virginia Tech is announcing modifications to the service decision on Google Workspace in response to a statement from Microsoft on upcoming major changes to their licensing model for higher education institutions. While costs to the university for Google storage are slated to increase beginning in July 2024, the costs of Microsoft’s storage will also be significantly higher beginning in July of 2025.

These changes will impact:

• Email and calendaring 
• Online file storage 
• Departments and shared storage sites

For more information or to review an overview of these transitions, including storage limits, read this campus notice or visit the university's Google and Microsoft transition website.

Student Affairs: Hokie Helpers needed to welcome students, assist with fall move-in

Virginia Tech Student Affairs is gearing up to welcome our incoming class of new Hokies with Fall Move-In and Weeks of Welcome, and is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to assist students and families as they arrive on campus.

Volunteers for this fall are needed during move-in from August 14-21, and for Weeks of Welcome events from August 15-September 1. Shifts range from three to six hours depending on the task, and volunteers may sign up for just one or as many as their schedule allows.

With the support of faculty and academic staff, Student Affairs is able to make every new student feel welcome and assist them in settling into their new home.

For more information, read this campus notice or access the online iVolunteer form to view available shifts and sign up.

ICYMI: Information on graduate application, admissions process

Please be aware that the Supreme Court’s recent decision that race may not be considered as a factor in admissions decisions applies to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.

Since 2017, the Graduate School has employed a holistic application process that provides applicants with an opportunity to share information on educational experiences such as community involvement and service; leadership; overcoming social, economic and/or physical barriers; personal and professional ethics; recognition of achievements over time; and research and scholarship.

This process will continue to be employed, except that an applicant’s race will no longer be visible to or considered by those making admissions decisions. Admissions committees will continue to base their evaluations on the applicant’s suitability for the program from a holistic view, taking into consideration pertinent additional educational experiences and personal attributes of value for academic success.

For more information, read this campus notice. Questions about the process should be addressed to Graduate School Dean Aimée Surprenant.

Additional Resources and Updates

• Request for proposals: ACC Innovation Initiative Research Grant Program
• Faculty mentors needed for new first-year undergraduate research program
• Hokie Wellness employee distress guide now available
• TLOS grant programs foster teaching innovation
• Addressing concerns about AI features in Zoom
• Enhancements to the Virginia Tech retirement plans