Week of December 18-22

2023

Reminder: All users must empty Google Photos prior to January 16, 2024

The Division of IT reminds all faculty and staff that the Google Photos app will be removed from Virginia Tech Google accounts on January 16, 2024. Because Virginia Tech does not have administrative control over the content placed in the Photos app for university Google accounts, once the Photos app is removed, the university will not be able to retrieve any files left in your account.

Before January 16, 2024, all faculty and staff need to do the following:

Disable any automatic photo uploads or syncing from your phone or other devices to your Virginia Tech Google Photos app. If you don’t have that feature enabled, you can skip this step.
Export and move any files that you wish to keep from the Photos app on your Virginia Tech Google account to an alternative storage location.
Once you have exported the needed files, delete all contents from the Photos app until you have zero data remaining within the app.

For more information and resources, read this campus notice or visit the license changes website for information specific to employees. If you have further questions or need help with Google Workspace or another IT service, contact 4Help.

Hokie Wellness: Mental health services for faculty, staff available during the holidays

The holidays can be challenging times. Extra stress, unrealistic expectations, or even sentimental memories that accompany the season can be a catalyst for the holiday blues, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Through Hokie Wellness, Virginia Tech offers faculty and staff a number of mental health resources and support services during the holiday break.

TimelyCare offers employees three services:
- TalkNow, an on-demand service available 24/7 that connects an employee with a mental health professional to address issues promptly by telephone or video.
- Twelve scheduled counseling appointments per academic year with counselors licensed in the state where the employee is located.
- Unlimited health coaching appointments providing information and guided sessions on well-being topics such as dealing with conflict, time management, exercise, sleep, nutrition, weight management, tobacco cessation, mindfulness, and more.
Employee Assistance Program available through Anthem (855-223-9277), Aetna (888-238-6232), Kaiser Permanente (866-517-7042), or Optima Health Vantage HMO (866-846-2682).
Hokie Wellness can help you connect to and navigate these and other resources. Call 540-231-8878 (employees) or 540-231-2233 (students).

For more information, read this campus notice or email Hokie Wellness. Be sure to take extra care to tend to your overall health and wellness during this time. You don’t have to feel alone during the holidays.

Innovation and Partnerships: Call for proposals for Proof-of-Concept grant

Innovation and Partnerships’ LAUNCH, The Center for New Ventures, in collaboration with Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (VTIP), is seeking proposals from Virginia Tech researchers for Proof-of-Concept grants designed to provide paths to market for research and technologies that have the potential for significant societal and economic impact.

Designed to incubate early-stage technologies from research into the commercialization process, the program provides competitive grants up to $50,000, professional workshops, and other support for researchers who want to increase the impact of their research and actively pursue the potential commercialization of technologies emerging from their labs.

The deadline for submission is January 31, 2024, with awards announcements expected on March 1, 2024.

For more information or to submit a proposal, read this campus notice or visit the Proof-of-Concepts grant program website.

Provost’s Office: Share your ideas, insights for improving our Weekly Communications Update

If you have comments or recommendations for how we can improve the Weekly Communications Update, or you would like to make a request to have specific information or topics shared with faculty and academic program staff across the university, please provide your feedback and suggestions through this Google form.

Along with the Weekly Communications Update, faculty and department heads should visit the provost’s website frequently for new and updated information impacting the academic community. All employees of the university should also read their VT News daily email for important campus events, notices, and resources.

For more information or to share feedback, please email Provost Communications.

ICYMI: Holidays message from Provost Cyril Clarke

Fall commencement signals the end of the semester and the start of the holiday season. As we bring 2023 to a close, I would like to thank you for your outstanding work this past year and your steadfast commitment to supporting our students and elevating our university. Your dedication and service to Virginia Tech is the cornerstone of our success, and I am profoundly grateful for your ongoing partnership and contributions.

Recent events and conflicts around the world and close to home have challenged the notion of peace and joy during the holiday season. Nevertheless, it is my hope that compassion, empathy, and understanding are gifts that you will receive and that we can share with others who need them most.

Please take the opportunity during the holiday break to step away from your work, appreciate all you have accomplished, and enjoy this special time with family and friends. On behalf of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and administrators across the university, I wish you a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Cyril

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.