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Week of October 24-28

2022

Reminder: Election Day (November 8) voting and political activity

Virginia Tech is supportive of all employees exercising their right to vote in the upcoming elections on Tuesday, November 8. While the university encourages civic engagement, all political activity should be kept separate from the workplace. A political opinion should not be shared as a Zoom background, email tag line, poster, or in other forms in the workplace.

Per the university’s Statement of Business Conduct Standards (Professional and Personal Integrity section), “Employees must take care to ensure that their university-related activities are kept separate from their political activities; it must be clear that they act as citizens in such activities, not as representatives of the university. Further, employees must not use university resources, including computer and network systems and university work time to promote political positions or political campaigns.”

For more information, please read this campus notice. For questions or concerns, email the HR Service Center or call 540-231-9331.

Message from Provost’s Office and Dean of Students: Student absences amid flu cases

As cases of influenza have increased on our campus and in our community over the past couple of weeks, so too has the number of student absences due to flu and related illnesses. The Provost’s Office and Dean of Students Office are aware of this situation and are working together to provide guidance to faculty in addressing student absences and the expectations of students who have missed class assignments and requirements.

Currently, Schiffert Health Center is seeing high numbers of students with flu symptoms or similar respiratory illnesses. Some of these students can manage with self-care while some seek care from off-campus providers. Yet, many students still come to Schiffert primarily because they are told they need an absence verification for class. Please note that Schiffert does not provide excuses for students, except in special circumstances.

The Dean of Students Office is asking students to communicate directly with their faculty if they need to miss class due to illnesses or other health-related circumstances, and to keep up with all assignments and course requirements. Students are informed that their faculty ultimately decide whether or not they can makeup missed classes, assignments, exams, or other course requirements. At the same time, faculty, with support from their deans and department heads, are encouraged to be flexible on class absence policies and to work with students to provide opportunities to make-up assignments and complete exams, if appropriate. If absence verification is essential, please direct students to the Dean of Students Office.

We recognize the challenges this can cause in managing classes, maintaining rigor and consistency of instruction, and engaging student in in-person activities. Please know that you have the full support and confidence of university leadership, and we trust that faculty will use the experience gained in managing absences during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue supporting students in their academic progress. With this flexibility, faculty are not required to create or deliver customized course instruction, make-up assignments or exams for individual students, unless there is a documented student need, per Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).

Thank you for your continued service to and advocacy for our students. As we progress together through the school year, your guidance and mentorship to our students will strengthen our institution and the physical and mental well-being of our campus community.

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Dean of Students Office

OIA and Cranwell Int’l Center: International Education Week to highlight global education

Virginia Tech will celebrate International Education Week, November 7-14, with a series of engaging events open to the entire Virginia Tech community. Sponsored by Cranwell International Center with generous support from the Cranwell family and organized in partnership with Outreach and International Affairs (OIA), International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education that highlights the benefits of international education and mobility worldwide.

Virginia Tech’s inaugural Global Symposium will begin on November 10 and feature a keynote speaker, concurrent panel discussions, cultural events, and a variety of interactive workshops.

The International Education Week schedule of events is as follows:

November 7 – 14:

  • International dishes at select dining halls 
  • Study abroad virtual tours 
  • International stories featured in VT news and social media

Thursday, November 10:

  • Welcome and keynote address 
  • Global symposium 
  • Intercultural learning workshop 
  • Kandyan Dance Workshop with Chitrasena Ensemble (3:00 - 4:30 p.m.)

Friday, November 11:

  • International Student Perspectives Panel 
  • Fulbright: Ask Me Anything Forum 
  • Five Recipes, Five Continents: The Intercultural Kitchen

Saturday, November 12:

  • Dance of Nations

Sunday, November 13:

  • Multilingual Open Mic

Monday, November 14:

  • Diversity and Belonging Across Cultures panel discussion

Faculty, staff, and students will have an opportunity to earn an International Education Week digital badge from Cranwell International Center. The badge, earned after attending at least six events and completing an after-session survey, can be added to an online resume, website, social media page, or LinkedIn profile.

For more information on International Education Week or global education, please visit the Cranwell International Center or OIA website.

Caregiving: Monthly programs focused on supporting child care and parenting needs

Early Childhood Education Initiatives invites members of the Virginia Tech community to join monthly program sessions focused on supporting parents in meeting their child care and parenting needs.

“Choosing Quality Childcare” workshops are held virtually on the first Thursday of each month at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. In these interactive workshops, participants discuss what parents should look for in quality early care and education.

“Conversations About Our Kids” are interactive discussions to support parents in their role as nurturing, supportive and responsive parents. Discussions will take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. Upcoming discussion topics include Cultivating Cooperation and Surviving the Holidays.

Virginia Tech is pleased to present these programs with support from ChildCare Aware of Virginia and NRV Cares. In addition to these monthly programs, Virginia Tech offers students and employees a number of campus and community resources to assist in caring for family. These are located on the Child Care Resources website.

For more information or to register for upcoming sessions, please email Kim Thomason, program manager for Early Childhood Education Initiatives, or visit the Virginia Tech Caregiving website.

ICYMI: Seminar on new NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships

The Office of Research and Innovation is hosting a seminar for faculty at all stages of their career to learn about the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships and how it can support current and future extramural funding. Guest speaker Erwin Gianchandani, NSF’s assistant director for technology, innovation, and partnerships, will discuss the new mission of the directorate and the growing portfolio of funding opportunities in the context of three focus areas during the seminar:

  • Fostering Innovation and technology ecosystems 
  • Establishing translation pathways 
  • Partnering to engage the nations diverse talent

This Research Development Series seminar will take place on November 10 at 4:00 p.m. at the Virginia Tech Research Center’s Executive Briefing Center in Arlington. The event is free to attend, but registration is required for in-person or Zoom participation.

NSF launched its Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships in March 2022. As NSF’s first new directorate in 30 years, it aspires to accelerate the development and deployment of use-inspired, translational technologies, and solutions that meet societal and economic needs; drive the creation of new, high-wage jobs; and strengthen the nation’s international competitiveness.

The Research Development Series is designed to help faculty in their journey to increase the scope and impact of their research, creativity, and innovation portfolio. With events focused on different facets of sponsored research, from sponsor-specific perspectives to how to work with partners, this webinar series is intended to answer researchers' biggest questions and enlighten scholars at every step in their career.

For more information on this and other Research and Innovation events, please visit their Events and Programs website.

Additional Resources and Updates

If you have comments or recommendations for how we can improve the Weekly Communications Update or suggestions for specific information and topics that should be shared with faculty, staff, and academic program personnel, please provide them through this Google form or email Provost Communications.

Please visit VT Ready and the Provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VTx Daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.