Week of October 7-11

2024

From Provost Cyril Clarke: Support for students, colleagues affected by Hurricane Helene

The scenes of devastation extending from neighboring states to our communities in southwest Virginia as a result of Hurricane Helene speak to the profound impact on our faculty, staff, and students, especially those who have friends and loved ones in those areas. The physical, emotional, and financial damage has affected many on our campus and their ability to focus on their studies and responsibilities.

In support of our students and colleagues and echoing a video message from Dean of Students Mark Sikes, please join me in offering those impacted by this disaster your understanding and advocacy during this difficult time. For our instructional faculty who are responsible for decisions on academic requirements and assessments in their respective courses, I encourage you do your best to be flexible when it is appropriate and offer your consideration and support to students who are struggling to navigate this crisis.

Please also encourage those students and colleagues in need to access available university and community resources if they require additional support or assistance.

Provost’s Office: Launch of National Distinction Program, recognition of T&R faculty prominence

With the support of the Board of Visitors as part of Virginia Tech’s annual budget process, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 National Distinction Program (NDP).

The NDP is a strategic investment in recognizing and retaining nationally and internationally prominent teaching and research (T&R) faculty whose work has earned prestigious external recognition. Specifically, the NDP will recognize faculty who have achieved national or international prominence, with a particular emphasis on those who have garnered noteworthy external recognition, achieved significant scholarly distinction, and/or received prestigious or highly prestigious awards.

To be eligible, T&R faculty must be at least partially funded on Education and General funds (E&G, also known as 208 funding). Faculty fully funded on Extension (also known as 229 funding) or through external grants are not eligible.

The program nomination process will be conducted this fall with awards becoming effective January 10, 2025.

For more information on the National Distinction Program or the nomination process, email the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Faculty Affairs: Requests for Pre-tenure Pandemic Course Relief Program for AY2025-26

The Office of Faculty Affairs is now accepting applications for the Pre-Tenure Pandemic Course Relief Program for academic year 2025-26. The program is intended to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on faculty advancement. It provides a one-course buyout in one semester for pre-tenure tenure-track faculty negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Requests for academic year 2025-26 or later course buyouts are due to department heads, chairs and school directors by October 25, 2024. Completed applications are due to Faculty Affairs from colleges by November 1, 2024.

This is the final opportunity for faculty whose research was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and who have not been previously funded, to apply.

The Provost’s Office will provide up to $5,000 in matching funds to the faculty member’s college or department for a one-course buyout to be used prior to their mandatory promotion and tenure year. The goal is to allow additional time for faculty to focus on their research programs as they prepare for promotion and tenure.

For more information and a link to the application form, visit the Pre-Tenure Pandemic Course Relief Program webpage or email Faculty Affairs.

Global Education Office: Mandatory training for faculty leading student groups abroad

The Global Education Office (GEO) offers several trainings throughout the fall 2024 semester to support faculty and administrators in their efforts to lead study abroad programs. Virginia Tech Policy 1070: Global Travel Policy requires university employees leading either credit-bearing or co-curricular student groups abroad to complete training with GEO prior to departure.

New Program Leader Training (Thursday, October 24, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) is designed to provide program leaders and those supporting programs with the tools and resources to lead students abroad.
Program Leader Community Update is for those who have previously attended the New Program Leader Training. GEO is offering several sessions during the academic year:
- Wednesday, October 30, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (in-person)
- Thursday, November 14, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (virtual)

For more information on these trainings, read this campus notice or email the Global Education Office. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, email Allie Oberoi or call 540-231-2867 during regular business hours, at least 10 business days prior to the event.

ICYMI: Technology-enhanced learning showcase set for October 11

Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) invites faculty, staff, and graduate students to attend a day of workshops on October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in University Mall (801 University City Blvd., Suite 21).

This full-day showcase event will feature cutting-edge projects and opportunities to learn about current and emerging technologies for teaching and learning. Workshop topics include artificial intelligence in the classroom, new Canvas features, the Hypothesis social annotation tool, and using extended reality in the TLOS Production on Demand (POD) recording studio.

Attendees may register for either in-person or virtual participation. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

For more information, read this campus notice or visit the workshop showcase webpage. If you are an individual with a disability or desire an accommodation, email TLOS during regular business hours at least two business days prior to the event.

Additional Resources and Updates

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.