Week of July 31-August 4

Graduate School: Information on graduate application, admissions process

Please be aware that the Supreme Court’s recent decision that race may not be considered as a factor in admissions decisions applies to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.

Since 2017, the Graduate School has employed a holistic application process that provides applicants with an opportunity to share information on educational experiences such as community involvement and service; leadership; overcoming social, economic and/or physical barriers; personal and professional ethics; recognition of achievements over time; and research and scholarship.

This process will continue to be employed, except that an applicant’s race will no longer be visible to or considered by those making admissions decisions. Admissions committees will continue to base their evaluations on the applicant’s suitability for the program from a holistic view, taking into consideration pertinent additional educational experiences and personal attributes of value for academic success.

Please read this campus notice. Questions about the graduate application process should be addressed to Graduate School Dean Aimée Surprenant.

Global Education Office: Fall dates for Study Abroad Program leader training

The Global Education Office (GEO) offers several trainings throughout the academic year to support faculty and administrators in their efforts to lead study abroad programs. Virginia Tech Policy 1070: Global Travel Policy requires university employees leading either credit-bearing or co-curricular student groups abroad to complete training with GEO prior to departure. Please register online by October 3 for fall sessions.

• New Program Leader Training (October 17: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) is designed to provide program leaders and those supporting programs with the tools and resources to lead students abroad. 
• Program Leader Community Update (previously Returning Faculty-Leader Training) is for those who have previously attended the New Program Leader Training. This training is a concentrated session and at completion updates faculty/staff training compliance. GEO is offering several sessions this semester:
  • September 27: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (GEO Conference Room) 
  • October 5: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Virtual) 
  • October 12: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (GEO Conference Room) 
  • October 18: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Virtual) 
  • October 25: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Virtual) 
  • November 2: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Virtual)

For more information on these trainings, please read this campus notice or email the Global Education Office.

InclusiveVT: Deadline to apply for Future Faculty Diversity Program is August 15

The Office of Inclusion and Diversity continues to accept applications for the 13th annual Future Faculty Diversity Program, taking place October 1-4, 2003, at The Inn at Virginia Tech. The program is designed to help departments identify and recruit talented scholars from historically underrepresented populations, specifically U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are African Americans, Hispanics/Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders.

The deadline to apply is August 15.

Benefits of the Program:

• Identify and recruit diverse talent who could succeed at Virginia Tech 
• Advance Virginia Tech’s Strategic Plan diversity goals

Selection Process:

• Applications will be shared with Academic Diversity Directors no later than August 18. 
• Departments and colleges will have until September 1 to provide a list of fellows to invite.
• Host departments will be responsible for creating an interview schedule on October 3 that includes meetings with key faculty, students, the faculty liaison, and a job talk.

Departments are asked to please share this opportunity widely with faculty and within professional networks.

For more information, please visit the Future Faculty Diversity Program website or email Erica Cooper in the Office of Inclusion and Diversity.

Offices of the Provost, Chief Operating Officer: Impacts from October 26 home football game

Virginia Tech will host a nationally televised football game on the evening of Thursday, October 26 against Syracuse University. Kickoff for the game is 7:30 p.m. The traffic impact on the university community for events such as this is especially acute on a weekday evening. Therefore, the university will take steps to ensure the orderly flow of traffic and increase safety across the Blacksburg campus:

• University employees who have remote or hybrid work agreements and schedules are strongly encouraged to work remotely on October 26. These personnel are expected to work their normal schedule at their alternate work site and will not receive authorized closing leave, consistent with University Policy 4305. 
• Administrative offices and non-instructional university offices will close at 2:00 p.m. in Blacksburg. 
• Designated emergency personnel who work will receive authorized closing leave for their time worked from 2:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. 
• All online classes will be held as scheduled. 
• All in-person classes in Blacksburg beginning at or after 3:15 p.m. will be canceled.

Faculty who have in-person classes affected by this early closing may want to consider including this information on their course syllabi.

Employees needing to stay on campus after 2:10 p.m. on October 26 should use the Perry Street Garage, the North End Center Garage, or the parking spaces around the Drillfield.

For more information, please read this campus notice or refer to University Policy No. 4305: Authorized Closings Leave and Compensation Policy. If employees have additional questions, they should contact their supervisor or HR representative.

ICYMI: TLOS Showcase to share ideas and innovative pedagogical approaches, outcomes

Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) invites faculty and academic staff to attend their TLOS Showcase on August 17. Featured workshops will be led by TLOS faculty partners who will share their perspectives and innovative pedagogical approaches and outcomes. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Registration will open on Monday, July 31. The following workshops and presentations are being planned for the day-long showcase:

• History Lab: Creative Technologies, Hidden Histories, Informal Learning 
• Artifical Intelligence (AI) 
• AR/XR/VR 
• Digital Assessment 
• Digital Credentials 
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 
• Study Aboard 
• Authentic Assessment using UDL 
• Video Storyboarding 
• Teaching Students the History and Science of Food 
• Teaching Construction Safety with Immersive Augmented Reality 
• Hypothesis 
• AR/VR Studio

For more information or details on planned workshops, please email TLOS or visit the TLOS Showcase website.

Additional Resources and Updates

• Additional child care enrollment options for Blacksburg area
  Child care partners now include Children’s Nest, Giles Health and Family, Rainbow Riders Center, Valley Interfaith Child Care Center.
• New information adjusts planned course on email, online storage
  Modifications to the decision on Google Workspace is in response to changes to Microsoft’s licensing model for higher ed institutions.
• Hokie Helpers needed to welcome students, assist with move-in
  Volunteers for this fall are needed during move-in from August 14-21, and for Weeks of Welcome events from August 15-September 1.
• Back-to-school savings from the PerkSpot discount website
  Virginia Tech’s discount shopping website features deals on clothing, footwear, electronics, language learning, rental cars, and more.
• 2023-24 parking permits for faculty, staff now on-sale
  Permits will be mailed beginning August 7 and are valid from the time of purchase until August 31, 2024.
• Moss Arts Center curator offering free gallery tours
  Curator Brian Holcombe will host a series of free walking gallery tours for its summer group exhibition, “I’ll be your mirror….”