Week of October 13-17

Virginia Tech: Working group establishes framework for responsible, ethical use of AI 

Virginia Tech’s artificial intelligence (AI) working group, co-chaired by Dale Pike, associate vice provost for Technology-Enhanced Learning, and David Raymond, associate vice president for security and identity in the Division of IT, has published a report establishing a framework, guidelines, and core principles for the responsible and ethical use of AI at Virginia Tech. 

With input from campus stakeholders, the framework establishes seven core principles to guide AI use across Virginia Tech’s teaching, research, operations, and outreach functions: 

• Mission alignment
• Innovation for good
• Human-centered benefit
• Responsible and ethical use
• Fairness and transparency
• Human judgment and accountability
• Data security and privacy

Implementation of the report recommendations will include AI literacy training programs, policy and procedure updates, governance structure establishment, and expanded access to approved AI tools and resources. 

For more information including the complete AI working group report, AI principles, and framework implementation details, read this announcement or visit the Artificial Intelligence at Virginia Tech website.

Provost’s Office: Nominations open for Academies of Faculty Service, 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. 

Submissions are due November 14. 

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

Research and Innovation: October 15 deadline to apply for NIH R01 writing workshop 

Research and Innovation invites faculty who plan to work on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 proposal in spring 2026 to apply for a semester-long writing workshop, which is scheduled to begin January 20, 2026. 

Over the workshop’s five sessions, participants will develop and refine each section of their proposal with guidance from faculty mentors, peers, and specialists. The final draft will be reviewed in a mock study section composed of Virginia Tech faculty with successful NIH proposal preparation experience. 

To be considered, faculty should complete an online application by October 15. Interested faculty are required to submit an abstract for the planned proposal as part of the application materials. Attendance at all workshop sessions is mandatory. 

For more information and to apply, read this campus notice or visit the NIH R01 proposal development workshop webpage.

CRCPE and TLOS: Revisions to ADA Title II require accessibility conformance for all digital content 

Critical revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II now require accessibility conformance to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for digital content provided by Virginia Tech or through paid third-party resources by April 24, 2026. WCAG represent rules for creating accessible documents and webpages. 

All Canvas content, webpages, apps, word-processing documents, PDFs, images, videos, spreadsheets, forms, and social media posts must be equally usable for everyone. Many documents actively used to support university operations and teaching and learning will need remediation. 

Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education (CRCPE) and Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) are leading this initiative to address the impact of new regulations which will affect all areas of the university. 

For more information, read this campus notice or visit the Virginia Tech Accessibility Portal for additional guidance and resources.

ICYMI: Message from Provost Clarke, COO Sebring message on monitoring government shutdown 

Provost Cyril Clarke and Chief Operating Officer Amy Sebring recently shared a message with the university community on how the institution is monitoring and managing the federal government shutdown. Here are the message highlights: 

• Though critically important to our institutional priorities, federal funding is just one of many resources that comprise the overall university budget.
• Virginia Tech is well-positioned to manage disruptions of a temporary federal shutdown and remains focused on our goals, priorities, and responsibilities. 
• While we await further details, university employees should continue with normal instructional, research, and operations activities until further notice.
• We encourage you to stay connected and share feedback with your college/unit leadership, who will be able to provide program and unit level information.
• The Office of Sponsored Programs advises researchers to continue to work on their grants and contracts unless the sponsoring agency directs all work to stop or the federal contract/grant officer issues a stop work order.
• Faculty should keep in touch with OSP post-award grants/contracts administrator and check the Research and Innovation webpage for updates.
• Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Virginia Tech. We will continue to provide updates and guidance as new information becomes available. 

Virginia Tech has established a University Guidance and Updates webpage to provide information to the campus community related to the current government shutdown and other emerging federal actions that impact the institution. 

Read the full message from Provost Clarke and COO Sebring.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: GLC Weekly (Graduate School) 

• Green Zone Training: Understanding, supporting veterans at Virginia Tech 
• Working parents resources roundtable Zoom session 
• Exploring 'The Power of Place': Humanities Week returns October 27–31 
• 'The Language of Connection': A five-month learning series 
• Celebrate National Transfer Student Week with campus events 
• Learn leadership skills while having Coffee with Coaches 
• ISCE Webinar: Individual Fellowships, Grants for Advancing the Liberal Arts 
• Take part in Biennial Virginia Tech Community Child Care Needs Survey