Week of May 4-8

2026

Virginia Tech: Listening sessions scheduled for Presidential Search Committee

Virginia Tech faculty and staff are invited to attend a listening session on Monday, May 11, at 4:00 p.m. in Latham Ballroom at The Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The listening session will allow faculty and staff to share their insights on the characteristics they seek in the next Virginia Tech president.

Justin Lemkul, faculty representative to the Board of Visitors (BOV), Marlena Lester, A/P faculty representative to the BOV, and Amber Hagan, staff representative to the board, will join Rector John Rocovich for this session. Additional sessions will be scheduled in the coming weeks and will be announced through Virginia Tech News.

The search for Virginia Tech's 17th president began in April when President Tim Sands announced that he would be stepping down once a successor is in place.

For more information, read this Presidential Search Committee listening session campus notice.

University Operations: Blacksburg campus offices to open at 11:00 a.m. on May 15

Due to the impacts to spring commencement and to minimize campus congestion, university offices in Blacksburg will operate under a modified operations schedule from 6:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15.

Virginia Tech's spring University Commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15, in Lane Stadium. The influx of graduates and their families and guests arriving creates traffic congestion on the southern end of campus and along major arterial roadways.

Certain offices must be open for commencement or for operational reasons. Thus, supervisors should use judgment and staff appropriately. Employees should refer to the guidance below on recording time worked, which is summarized from Policy 4305: Authorized Closings Leave and Compensation Policy.

For more information including employee guidance for recording time worked, read this modified schedule campus notice or visit the Commencement 2026 website.

Student Affairs, Honors College: Faculty Principal of Honors Residential Commons call for applications

Student Affairs and the Virginia Tech Honors College are now accepting applications for the Provost Residential Faculty Fellowship, specifically, the Faculty Principal of the Honors Residential Commons (HRC). The faculty principal is responsible for coordinating various educational programs, fostering academic engagement, and enriching the HRC's unique culture.

Prospective candidates for HRC Faculty Principal will want to explore more about the Honors Residential Commons, Honors College, and Living-Learning Programs at Virginia Tech, and the importance of this role to student learning and experiences.

The deadline to apply is Friday, June 12. The application process details are outlined in the call for applications. The new Faculty Principal will take over for Natalie Cook, assistant professor of Public Health, who has led the HRC since 2021.

For more information and to learn more about the HRC, Faculty Principal role, and application process, email Jamie Penven or call 540-231-7938.

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 this Faculty Affairs memo, contact your department head/chair or school director, or email Faculty Affairs.

ICYMI: Update on timeline for, compliance with Title II ADA digital accessibility regulations

While the deadline for compliance with Title II Subpart H of the ADA has been delayed by a year, Virginia Tech’s maintains its obligations to engage in effective communication and provide equal access to services, programs, and activities.

These obligations emerge from various federal laws and the Virginia Information Technology Access Act. Similar to Virginia Tech Policy 7215, the Access Act requires Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA conformance for digital content.

The effective date for state law was Friday, April 24. As such, Policy 7215 is currently in effect and applies to electronic and information technology, including webpages and digital course materials.

For more information, email Beth Valentine, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Virginia Tech's Digital Accessibility Officer, or visit the Digital Accessibility website.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Research Services (University Libraries)

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.