Week of March 10-14

2025

From Provost Clarke: Updates on federal actions and support for campus community

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message with faculty and staff last week as university leaders continue to monitor and assess the impacts of federal actions on our academic and research missions. Here are summary points from the message:

University leadership continues to commit significant time and attention to tracking federal actions, working to understand and evaluate them, and addressing emerging issues in a prioritized manner.
As many actions have been enjoined by federal courts, it may take time to determine which directives are ultimately actionable.
We recognize the pressure and concern these federal orders and actions have created, and we remain committed to providing guidance and information as we navigate these developments.
Virginia Tech remains steadfast in its commitment to academic freedom for both students and faculty. These opportunities are foundational to Virginia Tech and its land grant mission, and we will continue to uphold them.
We recognize that many in our community are experiencing anxiety and frustration with both the short- and long-term implications of these orders.
While most of these factors are beyond our control, it doesn’t diminish the angst you are feeling and we want to reassure you that we understand, empathize with, and share in your concerns.
We encourage you to remain focused on your work, continue striving for excellence, and support and advocate for your students and one another.
Please stay connected to and share feedback with your deans, departments heads, and school directors, who will be able to provide college and classroom level guidance on these and related matters.

Read the full message on the provost’s website. If you have questions or comments, please email Provost Communications.

Faculty Affairs: P&T impacts from research grant, contract interruptions

Recognizing the concerns of pre-tenure, tenure-track faculty about the potential impacts of federal grant and contract disruptions on their research progress, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding these disruptions, a recent memo from Faculty Affairs clarifies the promotion and tenure (P&T) mechanisms available to support those faculty affected.

Virginia Tech is committed to supporting faculty through unexpected professional challenges. To help mitigate the impact of funding disruptions, the Faculty Handbook (Section 3.4.1.3) allows for extensions of the probationary period in cases of “extraordinary professional circumstances not of the faculty member’s own making.”

Faculty who believe their research progress has been significantly affected are encouraged to consult with their department head, chair, or school director to discuss their specific circumstances. As the impacts become clearer, the Office of the Provost, in collaboration with departments and colleges, will carefully consider tenure clock extension requests to ensure faculty have the necessary support to succeed.

For more information, read the memo, contact your department head/chair or school director, or email Faculty Affairs.

Research and Innovation: NSF CAREER program workshop to focus on effective proposal prep

The Office of Research and Innovation is hosting a two-hour National Science Foundation CAREER program workshop for Virginia Tech junior level, tenure-track faculty to learn how to prepare effective proposals for the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award program.

The workshop will take place April 18 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in Kelly Hall, Room 310 on the Blacksburg campus or virtually via Zoom. There is no cost, but registration is required for either the in-person or virtual option.

Randy Heflin, senior associate vice president for Research and Innovation, will provide an overview of the CAREER program, strategies for developing a successful submission, and tips on creating a compelling Project Summary. Additionally, recent CAREER award recipients will discuss their experiences followed by Q&A session.

For more information, read this campus notice or visit the Research and Innovation events webpage. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, email Robyn Smyth least 10 business days prior to the event.

University Libraries: Resource trials available to faculty, staff throughout March

The University Libraries through the Department of Collections, offers trials each semester for databases that are not currently a part of our resource collections. With trials, the University Libraries can gather feedback from the community about potential new resources before we fully invest in a subscription or a purchase.

University Libraries has trials for the resources below through the end of March:

Faculty, staff, and students are asked to provide feedback on these resources via the links to surveys provided in the description boxes for each trial listed.

For more information, read this campus notice or visit the Department of Collections trials libguide.

ICYMI: Applications for next cohort of Bridge Experience Program due on March 14

The Academy for Experiential Learning (AEL) at Virginia Tech invites department heads and school directors to apply for the next cohort of the Bridge Experience Program. Bridge experiences support students’ career exploration and enable them to apply academic learning in a real-world setting.

Academic programs in the Bridge Experience Program work with the AEL to implement an undergraduate experiential learning requirement as part of Virginia Tech’s strategic plan and Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Successful applicants will have access to funding, additional support, and a collaborative Community of Practice to facilitate their curricular change.

The application deadline for programs starting in summer 2025 is March 14.

For more information or to apply for the next cohort, read this campus notice or email Jill Sible, director of the Academy for Experiential Learning.

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.