Week of May 12-16

2025

Faculty Affairs: Support for faculty managing P&T impacts from 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, a recent memo from Faculty Affairs clarifies the promotion and tenure (P&T) mechanisms available to support affected faculty.

To help mitigate the impact of these 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 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 Faculty Affairs memo, contact your department head/chair or school director, or email Faculty Affairs. For the latest updates on federally sponsored grants and contracts, visit the Federal Research Updates webpage.

University Libraries: Toolkit for those who receive federal funding, need to make research public

University Libraries recently published a Public Access Toolkit to help Virginia Tech researchers navigate federal requirements for making all federally funded research publicly accessible.

The University Libraries Public Access Toolkit offers background information about federal agency public access requirements, guidance for publishing and data management, examples of compliance, and a glossary of terms.

In August 2022, the White House OSTP issued a memorandum (known as the 2022 Nelson Memo) on Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research calling on federal agencies to make “articles resulting from all U.S. federally funded research freely available and publicly accessible by default in agency-designated repositories without embargo or delay after publication.”

Most recently, the National Institutes of Health moved up its implementation date for making NIH-funded research publicly accessible from December 31 to July 1, 2025.

For more information, read this campus notice, visit the Public Access Toolkit webpage, or email University Libraries’ public access team.

Provost’s Office: 2025 New Faculty Welcome scheduled for August 21-22 in Blacksburg

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost encourages incoming faculty to save the date for Virginia Tech’s 2025 New Faculty Welcome set for August 21-22 in Blacksburg. The event is free to attend, but registration is required and will open with further details in June.

The annual event, hosted by Faculty Affairs in partnership with units across the university, is designed to provide overview information about the university, perspectives from current faculty, and an opportunity to network with colleagues and leadership. Faculty who have joined Virginia Tech between August 10, 2024, and August 10, 2025, are cordially invited.

Presentations, information, and resources from past years' events are available on the New Faculty Welcome page. Faculty are encouraged to check this webpage periodically before and after the event for updated information and resources.

For more information, read this campus notice, visit the New Faculty Welcome webpage, or email Leslie Stevens in the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Division of Facilities: Summer traffic, pedestrian impacts due to campus construction projects

As a result of numerous summer capital construction, renovation, and maintenance projects on the Blacksburg campus, the Division of Facilities reminds faculty and staff to expect periodic road and pedestrian route closures and traffic delays in limited areas of the campus through August.

Below is a list of recently announced projects and areas where traffic and pedestrian impacts may occur. Please check below to see if your route or building is affected.

For more information and an interactive map of impacted areas, read the campus notices in VT News for each impacted area or email Virginia Tech Facilities.

ICYMI: Updated commencement information, schedules for faculty and guests

The Spring 2025 University Commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m. in Lane Stadium and the Graduate School ceremony will be Wednesday, May 14 at 3:00 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.

The Commencement 2025 website has updates and detailed information on schedules, parking, live stream, regalia, and FAQs. Gates to Lane Stadium will open on Friday, May 16 at 7:00 a.m. for the University Commencement ceremony and will open one hour before the start of each college ceremony.

The Washington D.C. Area Commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the GMU Center for the Arts (Fairfax), for graduates of programs located in northern Virginia. See complete event information and schedules on the Washington D.C. Area Commencement webpage.

For more information, schedule updates, and speaker announcements, visit the Commencement 2025 website.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Moss Arts Center: Performances, Exhibitions, and Events

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.