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Week of February 13-17

2023

Reminder from Provost Clarke: Inventory of IT systems, software due March 3

As part of Virginia Tech’s IT Transformation Program, the university is in the process of strengthening IT security controls. A key first step is to conduct a detailed inventory of university-owned IT systems and software.

Many units have started this inventory already, but we need to accelerate the effort, so I am asking all academic units to complete this inventory, using a risk assessment tool, no later than March 3.

This work is being supported by the university’s IT Security Office and you or your IT personnel are encouraged to seek assistance by emailing itso@vt.edu. We will share an update on our progress at the next Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting.

In addition, please be reminded that all university-owned computers must be secured in accordance with University Minimum Security Standards and administrator privileges must comply with the University Computer Administrator Access Standard. As a best practice, computing assets that are no longer used or required should be decommissioned and transferred to Virginia Tech Surplus Property.

Should any questions arise concerning IT security compliance, cybersecurity risk assessment, administrator privileges, or decommissioning of non-essential IT assets, please contact college/department IT administrators and/or the IT Security Office. I realize that this work is both complicated and burdensome, but it is necessary to secure our ongoing ability to achieve our university mission.

Thank you for your support in accomplishing this important task.

Faculty Affairs: Faculty invited to ‘Mentoring March’ professional development events

Faculty members who want to improve how they mentor others (or be mentored themselves) to become a better writer, co-author, or peer reviewer are invited to join the Office of Faculty Affairs for “Mentoring March,” a series of professional development events offered throughout next month.

Virtual Writing Retreat
March 1 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Danna Agmon, associate professor of history, leads a virtual writing session that will help you successfully complete a piece of writing. Registration for the retreat is required.

Lunch and Learn: Best Practices for Peer Review of Teaching
March 2 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 1100 Torgersen
Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Barb Lockee teaches this in-person session on strategies, tools, and ideas for improving the peer reviews of teaching that are part of the faculty evaluation process. Lunch is provided. Register by February 28.

Co-Authorship with Grad Students
March 20 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., Inn at Virginia Tech
In this workshop for all instructional faculty, Faculty Fellow Monique Dufour shares how to develop a sustainable writing practice of collaborative authorship. Registration required.

Spring Roving Writing Retreat
March 21 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Athenaeum, Newman Library
Come write with fellow faculty members and learn how to structure your time and focus your attention while you write. The retreat will include a short mindfulness seminar from Hokie Wellness. Register by March 15. Virtual attendance option also available.

Mid-Career Mentoring Summit
March 24 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., Inn at Virginia Tech
Carlita Favero, a facilitator from the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, will lead an in-person workshop that reframes mentoring for post-tenure and mid-career faculty. Lunch is provided. Register by March 17.

For more information on these professional development opportunities, please read this campus notice or visit the Faculty Affairs website. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please email Catherine Piché at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Research and Innovation: Collaborations with Virginia Tech's National Security Institute

As part of its Research Development Series, the Office of Research and Innovation invites faculty to join them in-person or virtually for, “Establishing Collaborations with Virginia Tech's National Security Institute,” March 8 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at 1311 Research Center Drive, Room 1032 in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

Established in 2021, the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (NSI) aspires to become the nation's preeminent academic organization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research, technology, policy, and talent development to advance national security.

During this seminar, NSI Executive Director Eric Paterson will provide an overview of NSI including its origins, aspirations, and research activities. Faculty from NSI will then lead a town hall-style discussion about opportunities for Virginia Tech researchers to collaborate with the Institute. Successful partnerships will be highlighted along with information on how to become involved with NSI’s research divisions. Panelists include:

  • Tugba Erpek – Research Associate Professor, Intelligent Systems Division, NSI 
  • Leon Harding – Assistant Director, Mission Systems Division, NSI 
  • Bradley Davis – Assistant Director, Spectrum Dominance Division 
  • William "Chris" Headley – Associate Director, Spectrum Dominance Division, NSI

Registration for the seminar is required for either in-person and virtual (Zoom) attendance.

The Research Development Series is designed to help faculty in their journey to increase the scope and impact of their research, creativity, and innovation portfolio. With events focused on different facets of sponsored research, from sponsor-specific perspectives to how to work with partners, this webinar series is intended to answer researchers' biggest questions and enlighten scholars at every step in their career.

For more information on this and other Research and Innovation events, please visit their Events and Programs website.

Hokie Wellness: Mental Health First Aid course available throughout spring semester

As a part of Virginia Tech’s commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our university community, Hokie Wellness is offering an in-person Mental Health First Aid course to all university employees. Just as CPR helps an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid can assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

The Mental Health First Aid course will be offered in-person and virtually throughout the spring semester. Class is 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and is open to all employees. The cost of each seat is paid for by the university and consists of pre-training, participant manuals and processing guides, and a three-year certification.

Before registering, participants should ensure they can commit to the following:

  • Complete the pre-work at least two days prior to the instructor-led session (takes up to two hours). 
  • Attend the entirety of the instructor-led session. 
  • For virtual sessions, attend the entirety of the session with your camera turned on (with the exception of technical restrictions).

Registration is required. Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals who are experiencing these challenges can and do get better and use their strengths to stay well. Some of the topics covered include depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use disorders.

For more information on the Mental Health First Aid course, please read this campus notice. Additional mental health and wellness information, resources, and support are available to the Virginia Tech community through Hokie Wellness, Cook Counseling Center, and VT Better Together.

ICYMI: Considering ChatGPT, generative AI tools at Virginia Tech

It is likely that faculty have now become aware of a new tool called ChatGPT, a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) chat bot that was released in late November 2022. Several other similar tools have been released or are launching in the near future. Faculty may also be hearing an array of opinions about the implications these tools might have for the future of teaching and learning.

In the midst of these competing and conflicting perspectives, Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) recommends a measured approach that doesn’t veer into either blind optimism or doom-and-gloom scenarios. Instead, TLOS asks faculty to consider the following suggestions when making decisions about the courses they teach.

  • Become familiar with these generative AI tools in order to have an informed perspective. 
  • Consider the Virginia Tech Honor Code and its applicability to generative AI tools. 
  • Avoid being drawn into a confrontational mindset regarding these generative AI tools. 
  • Set clear expectations for your students regarding the use of generative AI/ChatGPT. 
  • Explore potential changes to your individual course design and/or assessment strategies.

In addition to these suggestions, TLOS is seeking faculty participation in the ongoing discussions about this topic. Those who want to join the conversation are encouraged to complete the generative AI at Virginia Tech survey and attend a “Chatting about ChatGPT” session.

Your participation will help TLOS prioritize the services and opportunities they offer faculty regarding this emerging technology.  

For further information on ChatGPT/generative AI and additional resources including a potential starting point for syllabus statements (fittingly, generated by ChatGPT), please visit the TLOS resources website.

Additional Resources and Updates

If you have comments or recommendations for how we can improve the Weekly Communications Update or suggestions for specific information and topics that should be shared with faculty, staff, and academic program personnel, please provide them through this Google form or email Provost Communications.

Please visit VT Ready and the Provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VTx Daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.