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Week of September 18-22

2023

Faculty Affairs: Requests for Pre-tenure Pandemic Course Relief Program for AY2024-25

The Office of Faculty Affairs is now accepting applications for the Pre-Tenure Pandemic Course Relief Program for academic year 2024-25. Requests for course buyouts are due to department heads, chairs, and school directors by October 16. Completed applications are due to Faculty Affairs from colleges by November 1.

The program is intended to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on faculty advancement and provides a one-course buyout in one semester for pre-tenure tenure-track faculty negatively impacted by the pandemic.

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 page or email Faculty Affairs.

Procurement: Upcoming information sessions on changes to IT Procurement operating model

Virginia Tech Procurement will be hosting two virtual information sessions to update faculty and staff on recently announced changes to the IT Procurement operating model. After a thorough assessment of its software procurement process as part of the IT Transformation program, Virginia Tech is taking measures to streamline software procurement activities, expedite acquisitions, and enhance the customer experience for employees.

Information sessions will be offered virtually on the following dates:

Information sessions will cover a range of topics, including a review of the operational changes, FERPA considerations, information security implications and a demonstration of the new purchasing process. Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session and participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance. Sessions will also be recorded and available for those unable to attend.

For more information, read this campus notice or email Virginia Tech Procurement.

Research and Innovation: Collaborating with Virginia Tech's Investment Institutes

Virginia Tech’s investment institutes fuel research and faculty development by investing in high-risk, high-reward projects and convening thought leaders in their respective disciplinary focus areas. These investment institutes leverage university funds to invest in targeted research areas with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary programs.

As part of its Research Development Series (RDS), the Office of Research and Innovation invites faculty and academic staff to a seminar titled, “Collaborating with Virginia Tech's Investment Institutes,” October 19 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in 2420 North End Center and via Zoom.

During the seminar, attendees will learn about the specific kinds of research being conducted in each institute and the support, resources, and collaborations that are available. Support may include recruitment, retention and recognition of faculty, seed funds for new research projects, equipment purchases, support and management of core facilities, graduate student recruitment, undergraduate experiential learning opportunities, and research-related outreach activities.

For more information or to register, visit the event page. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, email Robyn Smyth or call 540-231-1602 during business hours, at least 10 business days prior to the seminar.

IT: Acceptable Use Policy and Standard for employees using university information systems

Policy 7000 (Acceptable Use and Administration for Computer and Communication Systems) governs the use and administration of Virginia Tech computer and communication systems, network, services, and data.

As discussed in the accompanying standard (Acceptable Use of Information Systems at Virginia Tech), university employees in particular are reminded that acceptable use of these resources entails that employees must not use university systems for commercial or partisan political purposes, such as using a Virginia Tech email account, device, or network connection to organize support or circulate advertising for products or for political candidates.

The policy and standard also outline additional restrictions that users should review and understand.

For more information about Policy 7000, read this campus notice or visit the Acceptable Use of Information Systems at Virginia Tech page.

ICYMI: Call for proposals for Living-Learning Programs to launch in fall 2025

Student Affairs and the Office of Living-Learning Programs invites faculty and departments to submit a Living-Learning Program (LLP) proposal for communities that will launch at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester. LLPs are intentional communities at Virginia Tech where students make powerful connections between their academic and residential environments.

In LLPs, students integrate their intellectual life with where they live, who they live with, and how they make meaning of their university experience. LLPs are a highly effective way for faculty to enact innovative pedagogy and create an environment that helps students make the most of their experience at Virginia Tech.

Faculty interested in submitting a proposal are encouraged to attend an information session where they will receive more information about LLPs, creating a proposal, and coaching resources available throughout the process.

To ensure enough time to launch high quality Living-Learning programs, proposals must be received by November 6.

For more information and to register for an information session, visit the LLP Program proposals page or email Jamie Penven, director of LLPs.

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.