Virginia Tech® home

Week of February 20-24

2023

Reminder: Spring Break is March 4-12

Spring Break 2023 will take place March 4-12. In accordance with the university’s official academic calendar, undergraduate and graduate faculty/instructors are reminded that they should not hold any class meetings, have assignments due, or administer exams during spring break or any other designated student holiday.

The week of Spring Break is important to the mental health and wellness of all Virginia Tech students and faculty should preserve these as non-instructional/assessment days.

Division of IT: What you need to know about Improved Endpoint Protection

Virginia Tech is committed to supporting all members of the university community in conducting research, coursework, and business in a technologically secure environment. As cyberattacks have become more prevalent and advanced, Virginia Tech is taking steps to improve the protection of university-owned endpoints – the computers, laptops, and other devices that connect to the internet.

To better protect endpoints, the Division of IT is working with IT professionals in departments, colleges, and other units to roll out two technology solutions that will help Virginia Tech mitigate cyber threats and maintain the security, integrity, and availability of the university’s information systems. These are:

  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), which continuously monitors IT security aspects of endpoints to identify and mitigate cyber threats in real time. 
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP), which evaluates outgoing and stored data to ensure that any data that is subject to compliance requirements (for example, student data or personally identifiable information such as social security numbers) is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users.  

Both EDR and DLP are enabled through Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Google Workspace DLP functions, and Microsoft M365 DLP functions.

Working together, these new tools give the university the ability to identify, contain, and mitigate cyberattacks far more quickly than we have been able to in the past. These tools also help to protect endpoints when people are working remotely, which is a major benefit for our new hybrid workplaces.

The Division of IT has prepared answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about Endpoint Protection and Privacy and are open to any additional questions that you may have. It is important for the university community to have clear and factual information about these tools.

For additional information on Improved Endpoint Protection, please read this campus notice, visit the FAQs webpage, or email Ask About IEP.

CETL: Customized teaching and course design services available to faculty, instructors

Throughout the spring 2023 semester, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) is available to partner with faculty and instructors to support the design, development, and implementation of learner-centered instruction. This partnership includes a variety of customized and confidential consulting services to support research-based teaching and learning design and strategies.

  • Class Observations: Faculty can receive feedback on classroom management, communication effectiveness, students' engagement, or other teaching and learning practices.
  • Mid-Semester Feedback: An opportunity for instructors to gather structured feedback from their students regarding the functioning of the class and the quality of student learning. 
  • One-on-one Consulting: General course consulting is offered to faculty members to address a myriad of questions and issues. 
  • Program or Departmental Consulting: CETL works closely with programs and departments to offer specific and tailored services. 
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL): Workshops, consulting, grants, and an annual writing retreat to support Virginia Tech faculty and instructors with their SoTL.

In addition to teaching and consulting services, CETL offers faculty several programs and networking opportunities that support research-based teaching and learning design and strategies.

  • Book clubs: An opportunity to build a small community that explores topics presented in books that are timely and supportive of teaching and learning. 
  • Bridge Experience: Plan for all undergraduate students to learn experientially through place-based opportunities and to develop the knowledge and skills for success in their future endeavors. 
  • Project-Based Learning: A method of engaging students in authentic, real-world problems or challenges over a period of time. 
  • Principles of Effective Teaching Certificates: Program provides a learning community and support structure within which faculty can become better teachers. 
  • Effective Teaching Workshops

For more information and additional programs and services offered to instructional faculty, please visit the CETL website.

College of Architecture, Arts, and Design: Tsai Lu Liu named new dean, effective July 1

Tsai Lu Liu, head of the Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design at North Carolina State University, has been named the new dean of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD) at Virginia Tech. Liu will start July 1 and will succeed Rosemary Blieszner, who has served as interim dean of AAD since August 2021.

“During this important transition period for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, Lu brings a wealth of academic and industry leadership experience to the college and a vision for working collaboratively to elevate its programs, faculty, and national reputation. His expertise and perspectives will be invaluable to our academic leadership team and to creating a strategic path forward for AAD that aligns with the goals and priorities of the university."

“I want to thank Rosemary Blieszner for her remarkable leadership and contributions as interim dean and for her tireless efforts in guiding the college forward during this critical period of transition. She has done an exemplary job in positioning the college and the new dean for future growth and success.”

– Provost Cyril Clarke

Liu spent the first 13 years of his career in private industry where he led and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create solutions in health care and telecommunications as well as the design, production, and marketing of semiconductors, toys, and electronic gaming systems. Throughout his higher education career, he has applied his industry background to the university environment to foster a culture of faculty and student research, established corporate-sponsored research and partnerships, and enhanced faculty and student diversity.

Please join us in welcoming Dean Liu to Virginia Tech and thanking Dean Blieszner for her distinguished leadership and service.

Notice to academic departments, faculty: 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 and is conducting a detailed inventory of university-owned IT systems and software. All academic units are asked 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. The university will share an update 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.

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.