Week of March 17-21

2025

TLOS: ‘Empowering Educators’ is theme for annual Universal Design for Learning Day

Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), in partnership with Undergraduate Education and Services for Students with Disabilities, invites faculty, staff, and graduate teaching assistants to participate in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Day, April 11 from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at North End Center in Blacksburg.

The theme is “Empowering Educators: Practical Strategies for ADA Compliance and UDL Implementation.” UDL Day aims to equip participants with the following:

Technologies, strategies, and resources available at Virginia Tech
Methods to align teaching practices with digital accessibility requirements and UDL principles
Tactics to support all learners and individualized accommodation needs
Best practices to reduce educational barriers for students and make course materials accessible

Seating is limited to 70 participants and light refreshments and lunch will be provided. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

For more information and a schedule of events, read this campus notice, visit the UDL Day webpage, or email TLOS. Individuals with a disability who desire accommodations may request them on the event registration form.

Policy and Governance: Tutorials on shared governance system available online

To assist faculty and staff in understanding Virginia Tech’s shared governance structure and how it serves stakeholders across the university, the Office of Policy and Governance has created a series of self-paced online tutorials that outline the history of and guiding principles for effective governance, and the role that faculty, staff and student representative bodies play in the process.

The tutorials, which typically run from three to 20 minutes, include two new modules:

Other online modules available to faculty and staff are as follows:

For more information or to access these valuable resources, visit Virginia Tech’s shared governance system website.

CETL and GEO: Global learning with local partners focus of Global Teaching Scholars South Africa

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and the Global Education Office (GEO) are co-facilitating a cohort-based program for faculty across the university to learn more about planning, recruiting for, and leading community-based learning experiences for students abroad.

Beginning with a series of preparatory sessions in Blacksburg during the spring semester, the training culminates in an 11-day, on-site workshop in South Africa in June 2025. Participants will have the opportunity to visit sites locally, engage in best practices for community-based learning abroad, and learn from facilitators from Virginia Tech and local partners.

Full time faculty on continuing contracts are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to those who best demonstrate how participation in the program will inform their teaching or research and contribute to their overall professional development.

For more information including themes, schedule, cost, and application process, visit the program website or email CETL or GEO.

Reminder: Plan ahead for Blacksburg campus impacts from May 7 Metallica concert

Virginia Tech will host a concert by Metallica on Wednesday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m. With increased traffic and travel impacts expected, the university will take steps to ensure the orderly flow of traffic and increase safety across the Blacksburg campus:

All in-person classes in Blacksburg ending later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 will be shifted online.
All online classes will continue as scheduled.
University employees who have remote or hybrid work agreements and schedules are expected to work remotely on May 7.
University employees who wholly perform their duties on the Blacksburg campus will use authorized closing leave for the hours they would normally work during the authorized closing.
Administrative and non-instructional offices on the Blacksburg campus will close at 12:00 p.m.

Faculty and instructors who have in-person classes affected by this early closing may want to notify students early or include this information in their course portal.

For more information or questions about leave during an authorized closing, read this campus notice or refer to University Policy No. 4305. If employees have additional questions, they should contact their supervisor or HR representative.

ICYMI: Addressing P&T impact 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.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: FOCUS on Research (Research and Innovation)

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.