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Week of November 11 - 15

2024


Global Education Office: Recent updates to Policy 1070-Global Travel Policy

Virginia Tech, through the Global Education Office (GEO) and the Global Travel Oversight Committee (GTOC), has updated Policy 1070: Global Travel Policy to continue to provide support to faculty, staff, and students taking part in university-supported travel outside of the United States.

What is new in Policy 1070:

  • Travelers are now required to report incidents while abroad using Global Safety and Risk Management as a one-stop-shop for reporting requirements and support. Incidents include, but may not be limited to injury, illness, damage to university property, robbery, burglary, vehicle accidents, assault, harassment, and arrest. 
  • More clarity in what is considered a “high risk” destination. 
  • Improved support for faculty planning non-credit or co-curricular student travel. 
  • Updated list of definitions.

What has not changed under Policy 1070:

  • Faculty, staff, students, and guests on university-supported travel outside of the United States must register their travel prior to departure. 
  • All university-supported travelers abroad must enroll in Virginia Tech’s contracted international emergency medical and assistance insurance (this is an authorized reimbursable expense). 
  • High risk travel is not authorized unless the traveler/group receives an exception to university policy from GTOC. 
  • Faculty leading groups of students abroad must register through the Global Education Office (credit-bearing) or VT Engage (non-credit).

Fiscal personnel, business managers, departmental leadership, and anyone who engages in university-supported international travel should familiarize themselves with the recent updates to Policy 1070.

For more information on GEO support and resources, read this campus notice, visit the Global Safety and Risk Management website, or refer to Policy 1070. 
 

Provost’s Office: Nominations for Academies of Faculty Service and Faculty Leadership

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost welcomes nominations of faculty of all ranks (instructional, research, and administrative and professional) for the Academy of Faculty Leadership and the Academy of Faculty Service.

The Academy of Faculty Service recognizes exceptional service to the university beyond a faculty member’s usual responsibilities. The Academy of Faculty Leadership recognizes exceptional leadership within the university, either within or beyond a faculty member’s usual responsibilities.

Before starting the nomination process, please review the Tips for Nominators page that contains suggestions for submitting a complete nomination. Please note that separate surveys previously used for each academy have been combined so faculty members may be nominated for either or both awards with a single submission.

Submissions are due Monday, November 18.

For more information including guidelines for the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and the submission form, visit the Academies of Faculty Service and Faculty Leadership website or email the Office of Faculty Affairs. 
 

Innovation and Partnerships: Proof of Concept Grant call for proposals

Innovation and Partnerships’ LAUNCH, The Center for New Ventures, in collaboration with Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, is seeking proposals from Virginia Tech researchers for Proof of Concept (POC) Grants designed to provide paths to market for research and technologies with the potential for significant societal and economic impact.

The POC Program combines early-stage commercialization grants and complementary resources to assist Virginia Tech researchers who want to increase the impact of their research and actively pursue the potential commercialization of technologies emerging from their labs. The program supports activities intended to reduce the uncertainty of potential commercial opportunity.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to support research activities and associated resources. Since June 2020, the POC Program, has awarded over a million dollars in non-dilutive grant funding to our Virginia Tech research community.

The deadline for submitting a POC proposal is January 21, 2025, with grant award announcements expected by March 3, 2025.

For more information or to apply for a POC grant, read this campus notice or visit the Innovation and Partnerships I-Corps website. 
 

Operations: Updated traffic, pedestrian impacts due to campus construction projects

As a result of numerous capital construction, renovation, and maintenance projects on the Blacksburg campus, the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities reminds faculty and staff to expect periodic road, building access, and pedestrian route closures and delays in limited areas throughout the fall semester.

Below is an updated list of projects and areas where impacts may occur:

For more information including an interactive map of impacted areas, read location-specific campus notices in VT News or email Virginia Tech Facilities. 
 

ICYMI: Provost Clarke’s message on presidential election outcomes conversations

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message recently with faculty and academic staff about facilitating discussions and classroom conversations on the outcome of the presidential election, and his support for engaging in active and respectful dialogue. Here are the highlights of Provost Clarke’s message:

  • The general election provides yet another opportunity to engage in and celebrate our democracy. 
  • Presidential campaigns have expressed divergent views about many aspects of our nation’s past, its current circumstances, and our future aspirations. 
  • I anticipate that when the election results are confirmed, there will be those who will be satisfied with the outcome and others who will be distressed. 
  • Irrespective of who wins or loses, I am confident that both our country and our university will continue to commit to building a prosperous future. 
  • Course instructors and mentors should feel free within the context of their courses and learning goals to facilitate discussions about the election that will enable processing of results and critical thinking. 
  • I have confidence in your ability to facilitate conversions in support of active listening and respectful dialogue. 
  • It is important that mutual respect and constructive dialogue remain central to our efforts to provide a supportive and collaborative learning environment. 
  • Thank you for your continued commitment to these principles and to ensuring every voice and viewpoint is valued.

For the full message from Provost Clarke, visit the provost’s website. 
 

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: The ISCE News Flash


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.