Week of September 15-19

2025

CETL: Resources, guidance for navigating difficult conversations in the classroom

Each semester, faculty and graduate teaching assistants (GTA) manage classroom conversations and debates related to current events and intervene when a discussion on a complex topic becomes contentious. As the course instructor or GTA who sets the tone for classroom discussion, their disposition – the behavior they exhibit and the language used – serves as a model for students.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), in partnership with Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), provides strategies and resources for navigating challenging moments in the classroom so that student learning remains the focus.

Adopt a Disposition for Dialogue – Often, when students make a comment that we regard as controversial or problematic, what is needed from us is guidance so that we can engage students in thinking more carefully and critically about topics, and about their use of language.
Know When to Pause – Sometimes, despite our best efforts to be proactive and to model a disposition for dialogue, a disruption occurs and at times, a single voice dominates causing other students to disengage. Your leadership of the class can be undermined, making it impossible to continue.
Be Proactive – The best strategy is to be prepared and establish a classroom environment that fosters trust and common purpose among students.

For more information and details on these strategies and resources, visit the Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Classroom webpage or email CETL.

Office of the CFO: Updates on risks, contingency planning for financial uncertainty

Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Simon Allen and his team recently provided an update to the Board of Visitors on risks and contingency planning for the financial uncertainty faced by higher education.

The presentation focused on quantifying key risks around federal funding changes, state appropriations, enrollment, and athletics funding, and how the university is managing them. Here are the highlights from that presentation:

Virginia Tech starts from a robust position with a structurally balanced budget, strong student demand, sufficient working capital and lines of credit, and growing donor support and philanthropy.
Key financial uncertainties faced by Virginia Tech include federal priorities and funding, state funding, student enrollment, and intercollegiate athletics.
Virginia Tech is managing current and potential reductions in governmental support through the following:
- Active monitoring and contingency/scenario planning
- FY26 budget built with a modified overhead policy and more conservative overhead budget stance
- Localized reduction of expenditures as externally funded activities are reduced
- Conservative fiscal approach, emphasizing slow-to-spend behavior

CFO Allen and his team will continue to monitor changes to the fiscal landscape and share updates on the university’s financial position and any conditions or impacts that need to be addressed.

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

The Global Education Office (GEO) offers trainings during the fall 2025 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 and again every two years.

New Program Leader Training (November 6, 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.
Returning Program Leader Training (November 20, 9:00-11:00 a.m.) for those who have previously attended the New Program Leader Training.

For more information on these trainings, visit the PageUp registration webpage or email the Global Education Office. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, email the GEO or call 540-231-2867 during regular business hours, at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Organizational Excellence: Fall semester workshops on fundamentals of change management

Virginia Tech’s Office of Organizational Excellence invites faculty and staff to take part in a free workshop on “Taking Charge of Change: Fundamental Concepts for Key Stakeholders in Change Management," in-person on September 23 and October 21 at North End Center in Blacksburg, or via Zoom on November 19.

The half-day workshop applies the five tenets of change management to a specific project or change initiative to build awareness and desire for change management. Learning objectives include the following:

Establish a shared definition of change management and how it impacts organizational outcomes
Develop an awareness of the three phases of organizational change, and work through assessment and planning for a change initiative
Develop a ‘commitment to action’ plan

For more information and to register, visit the PageUp workshop webpage or email Amy Hogan, executive director for Organizational Excellence.

ICYMI: Internal application process for executive vice president and provost search

The search committee for Virginia Tech’s next executive vice president and provost has developed an internal application process for candidates who are interested in applying for this position. The information, as well as the details for submitting nominations, is included on the Office of the President's website.

Candidate materials must be received no later than September 17.

Department heads and faculty are encouraged to consider nominating colleagues who would serve the university well in this important leadership role.

For more information or if you are interested in applying or nominating someone for the position, visit the search webpage or email the search committee.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Undergraduate Research Weekly

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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.