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Week of May 19-23

2025

End-of-Year Message from Provost Cyril Clarke and Faculty Senate President Rachel Miles

Provost Cyril Clarke and Faculty Senate President Rachel Miles shared a message of appreciation with the academic community last week as the 2024-25 academic year at Virginia Tech draws to a close. Here are summary points from the message:

  • We want to extend our appreciation and admiration for your extraordinary work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our university mission. 
  • We are especially grateful for your partnership and the open and thoughtful dialogue that many of you have engaged in this past year. 
  • To say the past few months have been challenging is an understatement, but through your efforts and engagement, you continue to move Virginia Tech forward in ways that will assure a bright future. 
  • The work you do, the impact you have, and the critical role you play in achieving our strategic goals and priorities is truly invaluable and a foundational element of our success. 
  • The voices, contributions, and impacts of faculty continue to be instrumental in shaping Virginia Tech’s path. 
  • Your support for academic freedom and freedom of expression has reaffirmed our commitment to creating an environment where both faculty and students can explore and discuss ideas freely and responsibly. 
  • As we move through the summer, the Provost’s Office in partnership with the Faculty Senate will continue to share information, updates, and resources. 
  • Thank you once again for your partnership and support in the advancement of Virginia Tech’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Read the full message on the Office of the Provost website. 

CETL: Stay up to date on programs, resources to support faculty in enhancing teaching strategies

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) supports Virginia Tech faculty in advancing research-based teaching and learning design and strategies through certificate programs, learning communities, and workshop offerings.

For the fall 2025 semester, the following are available to support the design, development, and implementation of learner-centered instruction:

For more information and to save the date for these upcoming offerings, visit CETL’s programs webpage or email CETL.

CPD: Learn to become a Career Champion for Virginia Tech students this summer

Career and Professional Development (CPD) invites faculty and staff to become a Career Champion for Virginia Tech students and learn more about CPD’s services for undergraduate and graduate students, career resources, and strategies for career conversations. Through the Career Champion program, faculty and staff will:

  • Learn the components of the career development process. 
  • Increase knowledge of resources available through CPD for undergraduate and graduate students with varying career needs. 
  • Increase confidence in ability to have career conversations with students. 
  • Understand the importance and value of Virginia Tech student reflection on career-related experiences. 
  • Increase awareness of current career trends.

Registration for the summer workshops closes on June 6.

For more information and to register for core training sessions, read this campus notice or visit TLOS’ Professional Development Network page for this program.

Policy and Governance: Reminder of Policy 4815 – Minors at Virginia Tech

As we begin the summer months and see an increase in minors on campus with various youth camps and educational events taking place, faculty and academic staff are reminded to refer to Policy 4815: Minors at Virginia Tech.

This policy was established to bring awareness to the presence of minors in programs conducted or hosted by the university and to set minimum requirements for the screening and training of individuals working with minors.

Faculty and academic staff who are planning to work with minors on campus or invite them to participate in a program or event hosted at Virginia Tech are encouraged to carefully review the policy and take part in an online survey.

For more information or questions about Policy 4815, visit the Office of Youth Protection webpage or email Tim Miles, youth protection associate specialist.

ICYMI: Support for faculty navigating 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 on federally sponsored grants and contracts, visit the Federal Research Updates webpage.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: University Libraries Research Services

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.