Week of May 8-12

End-of-Year Message from Provost Cyril Clarke and Faculty Senate President Robert Weiss

Dear faculty and staff,

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

Faculty Affairs: Special Leave for recipients of prestigious, highly prestigious awards

In an effort to provide support to recipients of prestigious and highly prestigious awards, both for the benefit of the faculty member and to help increase the university’s share of these awards, Special Leave (Faculty Handbook Section 2.14.2) is available to help faculty secure the time and flexibility necessary to participate in the requisite activities of the award.

In the past, on an ad hoc basis, Faculty Affairs has worked with individual faculty members on the use of Special Leave to help them take advantage of these opportunities. However, it is likely that many faculty are not aware of this option and may have passed up opportunities to apply for prestigious or highly prestigious awards or fellowships as a result.

In the coming months, Faculty Affairs will communicate more widely the details of this option and will work with faculty members and their department and college to appropriately structure the use of Special Leave to support participation in award activities. In so doing, Faculty Affairs will abide by the following principles:

• Work to ensure there is no financial “penalty” to the faculty member for taking this opportunity, especially as it relates to the additional costs that would be incurred while they are in residence elsewhere while maintaining their primary residence. 
• Wherever possible, protect a faculty member’s eligibility for taking a research leave, so they do not have to use their earned research leave to take advantage of their award opportunity. 
• Recognize and try to account for the financial needs of the department in covering classes or other responsibilities while the faculty member is in residence elsewhere. 
• Prioritize the use of Special Leaves for faculty who receive prestigious and highly prestigious awards as defined by the AAU.

For more information on eligibility and use of Special Leave to support recipients of prestigious and highly prestigious awards, please contact your department head/chair or school director, or email Rachel Gabriele, associate vice provost for Faculty Affairs.

CPD: Join colleagues and learn to be a Career Champion for Virginia Tech students

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. The online program, consisting of interactive asynchronous learning, hands-on reflection, and content application, is designed to provide participants with tools and referral resources for career-related discussions with students.

The “Career Everywhere” concept recognizes that conversations can happen anywhere. Whether with peers, faculty, staff, alumni, employers, supervisors, or beyond, students seek advice about their career aspirations and plans from a variety of people. Through the Career Champion program taking place this summer, faculty and staff will:

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

For more information and to register, please read this campus notice or visit the TLOS Professional Development Network page for this program. Registration closes Friday, May 26, 2023, at noon. Additional question or inquiries may be emailed to the CPD office.

Human Resources: Attend the 2023 Employee Appreciation and Hokie Wellness Fair

Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and non-student wage employees, local to the Blacksburg campus and surrounding region, are invited to attend the 2023 Employee Appreciation and Hokie Wellness Fair on Wednesday, May 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lane Stadium.

Employees can relax and enjoy music by DJ Flex in the morning and Half Throttle Band in the afternoon, show off their competitive side by playing games, access the Avery Tunnel that leads onto Worsham Field and touch the Hokie Stone, and more. Lunch will be available during the entire event, with all menu items being available at multiple concession stands. Popcorn, ice cream, and water will be available throughout Lane Stadium.

Also, the Hokie Wellness Fair, sponsored in part by Atlantic Union Bank and Blacksburg Boxing and Fitness, will host a wide variety of benefits, health and wellness, and approximately 60 exhibitors. Wellness Fair events include, but are not limited to, vaccinations, acupuncture, health screenings, and appearances from the Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center therapy dogs.

For more information, please read this campus notice or email the Human Resources Service Center. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please email Kari Evans during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

ICYMI: Call for applications for Virginia Tech’s Faculty Fellows Program

The Office of Faculty Affairs announces a call for applications for Virginia Tech’s Faculty Fellows Program. In this part-time role, Faculty Fellows will work directly with the Faculty Affairs team and other senior leaders in developing and implementing programs and developing resources and policies to support faculty success and excellence.

The Faculty Fellows Program will provide opportunities to:

• Engage and work with colleagues in different departments and colleges across all Virginia Tech campuses. 
• Gain valuable knowledge and experience in higher education administration. 
• Expand administrative skills in developing and implementing programs and policies in a decentralized university environment.  
• Develop expertise in a content area(s) of faculty affairs.  
• Contribute to decision-making in support of faculty program offerings and initiatives.

Faculty Affairs has particular interest in advancing programs and policies related to:

• Faculty evaluation 
• Collegiate faculty support 
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives 
• Navigating the university (for new faculty members) 
• Academic leadership development

Proposals for other areas of focus or programs and policies are also welcome. Selected faculty will be expected to serve for a one-year period, as applicable to the assignment(s), with the possibility of renewal. Though the expected time-period for the Fellowship is the academic year, the start date may be negotiated to accommodate the faculty member’s other responsibilities.

For more information on the program and the application process, please visit the Faculty Fellows Program website or email Rachel Gabriele, associate vice provost for Faculty Affairs.

Additional Resources and Updates

• ISCE accepting applications for PREP Program Faculty Cohort
  Posted-May 12
  Program is intended for faculty relatively new to the proposal writing process or whose prior proposals have not been funded.
• Changes to Google Auxiliary Email creation, shared drive procedures
  Updated-May 10
  Additional info on forthcoming changes to Google services at Virginia Tech can be found on the Google changes website.
• Access one-on-one support with Care.com Care Specialists
  Posted-May 10
  Care Specialists can save time by researching, identifying, and vetting resources that meet an employee’s unique needs.
• Traffic, pedestrian impacts: Summer construction
  Posted-May 9
  To accommodate capital construction and maintenance work, there will be periodic road and pedestrian route closures and traffic delays.
• Process of proposing course offerings for Winter Session 2024
  Posted-May 5
  Guidelines and procedures for proposing Winter Session courses are available to faculty via one-hour information meetings.
• 2021-22 Title IX annual report available
  Posted-May 1
  The annual report provides trends, data transparency, and context for reports of sexual harassment and violence involving students.