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Week of May 15-19

2023

Provost’s Office: Tell us how we can improve our Weekly Communications Update

If you have comments or recommendations for how we can improve the Weekly Communications Update, or you would like to make a request to have specific information or topics shared with faculty and academic program staff across the university, please provide your feedback and suggestions through this Google form.

Along with the Weekly Communications Update, faculty and department heads should visit the provost’s website frequently for new and updated information impacting the academic community. All employees of the university should also read their VT News Daily email for important campus events, notices, and resources.

For more information or feedback, please email Provost Communications.

SSD: Faculty, staff feedback needed on new Accessible Information Management database

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is seeking input from faculty and staff on the new Accessible Information Management (AIM) database. SSD is nearing the end of its phase one rollout of the AIM database which allows them to automate the emailing of a student's Course Accessibility Letter (formerly “accommodation letter”) directly to instructors. SSD will pilot test the system with students over the summer with the goal of sending all student letters through the new system beginning in fall 2023.

Through the new AIM system, instructors can log in to the faculty dashboard to view a current list of student accommodations approved in their course. As part of this transition, SSD extensively reviewed and updated language used to describe accommodations to provide greater clarity, students with better service to students, and answer FAQs from instructors.

To prepare for this change, faculty are encouraged to do the following:

For questions, more information on the new AIM system, or to schedule a demo presentation for your department/unit, please visit SSD’s AIM database webpage for instructors or email SSD.

CETL: Resources for faculty preparing for summer, fall course instruction

For faculty and instructors who are finalizing materials for summer course instruction or starting to plan for the fall semester, Section 9.6.1 (Syllabus and Performance Expectation) of the Faculty Handbook offers guidance for providing students with course syllabi that effectively communicates information about course content, class schedules and attendance, grading scales, and overall expectations of the instructor.

Faculty and instructors should design their syllabi and other course documents as a useful means for clearly setting the tone of their courses. Syllabi requirements, per the Faculty Handbook, include the following:

While not required, faculty and instructors may also consider additional information in the syllabi such as promoting student success, inclusion and diversity, creating a sense of belonging, and clear communication of course and conduct expectations.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) has developed a number of useful resources for further helping faculty prepare or update course documents in order to provide students with the necessary information and resources to successfully complete the course. These resources include:

In addition to course content and expectations, some instructors may choose to share their teaching philosophies, student resources available across the university, suggested readings, or policies that relate to their specific disciplines or course needs. Additionally, some instructors opt to include syllabus acknowledgement statements for students to sign that they have read the syllabus and understand the course policies.

For more information and resources on developing/updating course syllabi, please access the Faculty Handbook or visit the CETL website.

Campus Planning, Infrastructure and Facilities: Summer traffic, pedestrian impacts

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

Below is a list of the projects and areas where extended traffic and pedestrian impacts can be expected. Updates to these and other projects and access restrictions will be communicated through VT News.

  • Stanger Street single lane closure (May): To accommodate capital construction work on the New Upper Quad Residence Hall, there will be a single lane closure on Stanger Street near Old Turner Street to Major Williams Hall from approximately May 15–May 26. Flaggers and directional signage will be posted to assist with navigation.
  • Ag Quad Parking Lot closure (May–August): To accommodate capital construction work on Slusher Hall, a portion of the Ag Quad Parking Lot along with nearby sidewalks leading to and along Slusher Hall will be closed from approximately May 15–August 11. During this time, all ADA parking spaces will remain available. Accessible pathways will not be impacted by this work.
  • Johnson Hall sidewalk closure (May–August): To accommodate sewer line replacement work, a limited portion of the sidewalk adjacent to Johnson Hall will be closed from approximately May 15-August 4. During this time, pedestrians may utilize nearby alternative sidewalks to access Johnson Hall.
  • Military Building parking lot, bus shelter closure (May–August): To accommodate condensate line maintenance work, the parking lot adjacent to the Military Building and the nearby bus shelter will be temporarily closed from approximately May 15–August 4. Drivers are encouraged to utilize nearby parking lots. Riders should use alternative bus shelters. The sidewalk will remain open to pedestrians.
  • Stadium Lot closure (May–August): To accommodate waterline replacement work, limited portions of the Stadium Lot will be closed in phases from approximately May 15–August 4. During this time, drivers should exercise caution and obey posted signage.

For more information and to see maps of impacted areas, please read this campus notice or email Virginia Tech Facilities.

ICYMI: End-of-Year Message from Provost Cyril Clarke, Faculty Senate President Robert Weiss

As the 2022-23 academic year draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work and valued contributions to Virginia Tech. Once again, you have distinguished yourselves and our university through your commitment to teaching and learning, your impacts and innovations in research, and your service in the spirit of Ut Prosim.

Guided by Virginia Tech’s Beyond Boundaries vision and closely aligned with our university’s strategic plan, our academic goals and priorities have been elevated and advanced by your accomplishments, willingness to collaborate, and your dedication to our land grant mission. Strong partnerships, shared governance, and open communication have greatly contributed to our success during the past year and your role in each has allowed us collectively to create new opportunities for our students and stakeholders.

Looking forward to the next academic year, faculty will continue to play a central role in helping set current and future paths for Virginia Tech. Through your contributions to the revision of Beyond Boundaries, alignment of department and unit goals with university priorities, and engagement of students in active and experiential learning through both curricular and co-curricular activities, faculty and academic staff will lead our future development.

Thank you once again for your steadfast commitment to the progress and success of our students and the advancement of our institution. We hope you have a nice summer, enjoy time with family and friends, and find time to reflect on your achievements and service to our university.

Cyril Clarke, Executive Vice President and Provost
Robert Weiss, Faculty Senate President

Additional Resources and Updates

If you have comments or recommendations for how we can improve the Weekly Communications Update or suggestions for specific information and topics that should be shared with faculty, staff, and academic program personnel, please provide them through this Google form or email Provost Communications.

Please visit VT Ready and the Provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VTx Daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.