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Week of January 27-31

2025

Research and Innovation: Guidance, information on impacts from recent executive orders

The Office of Research and Innovation has launched a Federal Agency Updates webpage to keep the Virginia Tech research community informed on executive orders and guidance issued by the new administration that impact federal priorities, awarded projects, and impending funding from federal agencies or sponsors.

In coordination with university leadership, the webpage will provide faculty and research associates with guidance, updates, and links to resources and important information on proposals, awards as well as FAQs.

Principal investigators are encouraged to reach out to their federal grant or contracting officer to understand potential programmatic (or research) changes to their awards and encouraged to monitor federal websites for changes in proposal deadlines, requirements, or other actions.

For more information, visit the Federal Agency Updates webpage or contact the Office of Sponsored Programs in Research and Innovation.

TLOS: Top 10 tips, resources for faculty for a successful spring 2025 semester

The start of 2025 brings a mix of excitement and challenges for faculty and students. As classes get underway once again, here are ten things Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) hope will help faculty and instructors prepare for a successful spring semester. 

  1. Randomize student submissions before grading
  2. Choose Accessible Learning Materials (C.A.L.M.)
  3. Check and remediate your PDF files
  4. Protect Zoom meetings by managing AI bots
  5. Try out the TLOS Tool Finder
  6. Consider inviting a guest speaker to your class
  7. Request assistance with instructional media and video
  8. Review the TLOS Annual Report
  9. Schedule an online consultation
  10. Subscribe to the PDN Monthly Workshop Spotlight newsletter 

For more information and detailed descriptions of these ten important tips and resources, visit TLOS’ Top 10 webpage.

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

Virginia Tech’s Division of IT provides and strongly encourages all faculty and staff to use enhanced 2-factor authentication to help safeguard against 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.

This form 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.

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. The service is available on request to any Virginia Tech employee, department, or unit, at no cost.

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

University Libraries: Celebrate colleagues at Virginia Tech Authors Recognition Event

University Libraries will host a celebration of authorship, the Virginia Tech Authors Recognition Event, on Tuesday, February 11, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Newman Library on the Blacksburg campus.

The Virginia Tech Authors Recognition Event honors Virginia Tech faculty and staff who have written or edited a book or non-book materials representing an equivalent level of scholarly and creative achievement. The event will also recognize others who have published articles with support from the University Libraries Open Access Subvention Fund.

The list of authors being celebrated this year is available online. This event is made possible through the Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill Endowment for Special Events.

For more information or to RSVP, read this campus notice or visit the Virginia Tech Authors Recognition Event webpage.

ICYMI: Faculty support for students via the Early Academic Referral System

Virginia Tech’s Early Academic Referral System (VT EARS) is a tool to assist faculty in proactively identifying and referring undergraduate students who may be experiencing academic difficulty early within a semester. Research indicates that intervention within the first 6-8 weeks of the semester can make a difference.

VT EARS has a significant impact on student success because of its potential to:

  • Increase awareness of the academic support networks. 
  • Reduce the number of undergraduate students on academic probation or suspension. 
  • Reaffirm the institution’s commitment to at-risk students. 
  • Increase engagement between faculty and undergraduate students.

For more information, visit the VT EARS webpage or email Academic Advising Initiatives in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. NOTE: VT EARS is not intended for urgent, sensitive, time-critical referrals. If you have an emergency or require immediate assistance, please call 911 for the police.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: TLOS Professional Development Network (PDN) Workshops

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.