Week of March 31-April 4

From President Tim Sands: A message to the Virginia Tech community

President Tim Sands shared a message this morning with the university community on recent actions in compliance with federal orders and the importance and value of freedom of expression and our Principles of Community. Here are summary points from his message:

• Diversity is essential to ensuring the intellectual environment at Virginia Tech remains vibrant, and our students build skills that empower them to serve communities across the Commonwealth and the world. 
• That diversity of human experience is only possible with an inclusive environment, free of discrimination, that promotes dialogue across differences as expressed in our statement on Freedom of Expression and Inquiry as well as our Principles of Community. 
• The Board of Visitors recently approved a resolution that aims to ensure compliance with current interpretations of federal law regarding discrimination. 
• The resolution directs the university to dissolve the Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence, transfer permissible programs to other areas, and conduct a comprehensive review of university programs. 
• I know many members of our community have concerns and questions about the path forward. 
• I do not yet have all of the answers, but there are elements of our future state that are sufficiently settled to discuss with our community. 
• A live-streamed town hall is scheduled for Friday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m., to be followed by conversations on specific topics within the scope of recent changes in our regulatory and funding environment at the federal level. 
• I am heartened by the BOV’s commitment to the value of diversity and inclusion as core to the mission of the university as affirmed in the opening paragraphs of the resolution. 
• InclusiveVT will continue to guide our work in support of our strategic priorities – Virginia Tech Advantage and Global Distinction – that promote student success and elevate our impact as a modern land-grant research institution. 
• Thank you for caring deeply about Virginia Tech, our community, and future.

Read President Sands’ full message on VT News.

TLOS: Faculty invited to test Rolai, use generative AI to enhance teaching and course management

Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) invites teaching faculty to participate in a limited test of Rolai, a generative AI platform tailored for higher education. Rolai offers unlimited access to multiple leading generative AI models, integrates with Canvas, and leverages generative AI to assist with and streamline course management and teaching.

Participants must be full-time faculty who regularly teach graduate and/or undergraduate students, teach a for-credit course in fall 2025 or spring 2026, and participate in monthly professional development sessions provided by Rolai.

Selected instructors will receive a Rolai license and access to assign up to 30 student licenses for one course during either fall 2025 or spring 2026. Because this is a pilot to evaluate Rolai, there is no promise of continued access to the platform after the pilot ends in June 2026.

For more information and to apply, read this campus notice, visit the Apply to Test the Rolai Platform webpage, or email TLOS. Deadline to apply is April 25.

Faculty Affairs: Reminder of guidance on promotion and tenure cases prior to mandatory year

Faculty Affairs reminds college deans, department heads, and school directors that guidance is available regarding non-mandatory promotion and tenure (P&T) cases.

The guidance memo clarifies that P&T cases do not have to wait until a faculty member’s mandatory year if there is agreement that the faculty member has satisfied all the department’s expectations for P&T. Furthermore, faculty who are being evaluated for promotion and tenure, whether in their mandatory year or in a non-mandatory year, are held to the same standards as described in each department’s or school’s expectations document (see Section 3.4.2 of the Faculty Handbook.)

For more information on this guidance, please read the guidance memo on the Faculty Affairs website or visit the Promotion and Tenure page for further details. Questions may be emailed to Faculty Affairs.

ICAT: Virginia Tech, local communities invited to Creativity + Innovation Day 2025

The Institute of Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) invites the campus and local communities to Creativity + Innovation Day 2025, Monday, May 5 at the Moss Arts Center. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to come and experience an array of inspiring interactions and fun at the intersections of science, engineering, arts, and design.

This annual celebration will feature transdisciplinary works, student and faculty SEAD grants, ICAT-affiliated projects, and community collaborations. Exhibits will be staffed from 3:00-5:00 p.m. as ICAT brings together individuals across disciplines and the public to learn and engage with each other.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to submit a proposal by March 21 that tells ICAT more about the exhibit you wish to showcase at this event.

For more information, read this campus notice, visit the Creativity + Innovation Day 2025 website, or email ICAT.

ICYMI: 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 becomes contentious. 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) and Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) provide 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 details on these strategies and resources, visit the Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Classroom webpage or email CETL.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Academic Advising Initiatives Monthly

• Open forums announced for finalists for CNRE dean
• Continue to monitor Research and Innovation Federal Agency Updates page
• Celebrate authorship at Authors Recognition Event on April 10
• Research Development Series: NSF Research Traineeship info webinar
• New Exchange Online feature helps prevent phishing, spoofing
• Applications open for Vibrant Virginia Seed Fund Grant
• Expanded Summer Institute now open to all undergraduate instructors
• Employee Appreciation and Hokie Wellness Fair set for May 21