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Week of January 6 - 10

2025


CETL: Resources, guidance for navigating difficult conversations in the classroom

Each semester, faculty and graduate teaching assistants (GTA) manage classroom debates and disruptions related to current events and intervene when a discussion on a complex topic goes awry. As the course instructor or GTA who sets the tone for classroom discussion, your disposition – the behavior you exhibit and the language you use – serves as a model for students.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), in partnership with the Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID), and Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), provides some strategies and resources for navigating challenging moments in the classroom so that student learning remains the focus.

  • Adopt a Disposition for Dialogue – Often, when students make a comment that we regard as problematic, what is needed from us is guidance so that we can engage students in thinking more carefully and critically about topics, and about their use of language. 
  • Know When to Pause – Sometimes, despite our best efforts to be proactive and to model a disposition for dialogue, a disruption occurs and at times, a single voice dominates causing other students to disengage. Your leadership of the class can be undermined, making it impossible to continue. 
  • Be Proactive – The best strategy is to be prepared and establish a classroom environment that fosters trust and common purpose among students.

For more information and additional details on these strategies and resources, visit the Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Classroom webpage or email CETL. 
 

Research and Innovation: Faculty invited to apply for NIH R01 writing workshop

Virginia Tech faculty who plan to be working on an National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 proposal in spring 2025 are encouraged to apply for a 10-week writing workshop hosted by the Office of Research and Innovation.

The highly interactive workshop, scheduled to begin February 25, will be jointly led by senior faculty mentors with significant experience writing and reviewing NIH grants. Over the workshop sessions, participants will develop and refine their proposal with guidance from peers, faculty mentors, and specialists in scientific writing.

The final draft will be reviewed by a mock study section composed of Virginia Tech faculty with successful NIH proposal preparation experience. The workshop will be a reading- and writing-intensive effort; participants should expect to dedicate about 10 hours a week, outside of the workshop, to preparing and reviewing materials.

To be considered for this program, faculty should fill out the online application form no later than January 28. Additional cycles of the workshop will be planned for the fall 2025 semester.

For more information, read this campus notice or visit the Research and Innovation Training and Professional Development webpage. 
 

Reminder: Updated guidance, procedures for sponsored events and activities (Policy 5000)

University Policy 5000: University Real Property (Buildings, Grounds, Infrastructure) Usage and Events has been updated to provide faculty, staff, and students with guidance and procedures for safely gathering on campus in a manner that positively supports the university’s mission and respects and affirms the rights of others as outlined in Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community.

Members of the campus community are responsible for making themselves familiar with the policies, procedures, and guidelines related to the use of the university’s Real Property – facilities, infrastructure, grounds, and public spaces – owned or leased by Virginia Tech.

Relatedly, Virginia Tech has established Time, Place, and Manner guidelines regarding the use of university Real Property and resources. These guidelines support events in a manner that does not interfere with university functions, negatively impact public safety, or obstruct or damage university Real Property.

For more information including a list of guidelines, revisions, and clarifications to Policy 5000, read this campus notice. 
 

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 offer feedback, email Provost Communications. 
 

ICYMI: ADA Title II revisions require accessibility conformance for all digital content

Critical revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II now require accessibility conformance to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for most digital content provided by Virginia Tech or through paid third-party resources by April 24, 2026. These revisions will impact all areas of the university.

The Office for Equity and Accessibility (OEA) and Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) are leading this initiative to address the impact of new regulations on the university. Here’s what you can do to prepare:

For more information, read this campus notice. Additional information will be available in early 2025 on the Virginia Tech Accessibility Portal. 
 

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: The GCC Weekly (Global Change Center) 


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.