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Week of September 2-6

2024

Message from Provost Cyril Clarke: Welcome to the 2024-25 academic year

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message last Friday to welcome faculty and academic program staff to the 2024-25 academic year, and to provide important information and updates on university initiatives, priorities, and opportunities that will impact Virginia Tech’s academic and research efforts.

The value and importance of partnership with faculty, staff, and administrators across the campus on these and other commitments cannot be overstated. Please know that the Provost’s Office, along with leadership and governance groups across the university, is here to support you in your teaching, research, and outreach activities.

Read the full message from Provost Clarke.

TLOS: Top 10 tips, resources for faculty for a successful fall 2024 semester

The start of the academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenges for faculty and students. As classes get underway, here are ten things Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) hope will help faculty and instructors prepare for a successful fall semester.  

  1. Apply for a Technology-Enhanced Learning Grant
  2. Consider your approach to generative AI
  3. Complete the EDUCAUSE 2024 faculty survey
  4. Register for an inclusive course design workshop
  5. Use Gradescope in your courses
  6. Try out the new Canvas grading options
  7. Explore new Canvas features
  8. Review new Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor features
  9. Request assistance with instructional media and video
  10. Subscribe to the PDN Monthly Workshop Spotlight newsletter

For more information and detailed descriptions of these ten important tips and resources, please visit TLOS’ Top 10 webpage.

Academic Advising Initiatives: Faculty support for students via the Early Academic Referral System

Virginia Tech’s Early Academic Referral System (VT EARS) has been developed as a tool to assist faculty in proactively identifying and referring undergraduate students who may be experiencing academic difficulty early within a semester. Research indicates that intervention within the first 6-8 weeks of the semester can make a significant difference.

VT EARS has a significant impact on student success because of its potential to:

  • Increase awareness of the academic support networks. 
  • Reduce the number of undergraduate students on academic probation or suspension. 
  • Reaffirm the institution’s commitment to at-risk students. 
  • Increase engagement between faculty and undergraduate students.

Faculty and instructors are encouraged to become familiar with and utilize VT EARS. Submitting a referral can be done easily by entering Faculty Access through Hokie Spa. Faculty will simply choose the "Faculty Access" tab at the top of the page and click the blue link titled "Faculty and Advisor Student Menu” and locate the “Early Academic Referral System Menu."

For more information, visit the VT EARS webpage or email Academic Advising Initiatives in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. NOTE: VT EARS is not intended for urgent, sensitive, time-critical referrals. If you have an emergency or require immediate assistance, please call 911 for the police.

Research and Innovation: Faculty invited to roundtable on VTCSOM Clinical Grand Challenge

The Office of Research and Innovation is hosting a roundtable session uniting researchers and health care professionals from Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic for the “Clinical Grand Challenge,” September 12 from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. in Roanoke at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Room M210.

In this inaugural in-person event that will tackle developing tools that include patient-related factors to improve screening and predict outcomes, Carilion Clinicians Farrell Adkins and Peter Apel will share specific ways this opportunity presents itself in patient care and how it has been approached in the past. Structured conversations brainstorming potential transdisciplinary solutions will follow the presentation along with networking. Lunch will be served prior to the presentation.

Collaborative teams will be formed to pursue these solutions further and will identify specific steps to continue moving forward. Participants will also learn about available resources to support their efforts.  

For more information and to register for the event, read this campus notice or visit the Research and Innovation Events webpage.

ICYMI: Updated guidance, procedures for sponsored events and activities (Policy 5000)

University Policy 5000: University Real Property (Buildings, Grounds, Infrastructure) Usage and Events has been updated to provide faculty, staff, and students with guidance and procedures for safely gathering on campus in a manner that positively supports the university’s mission and respects and affirms the rights of others as outlined in Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community.

Members of the campus community are responsible for making themselves familiar with the policies, procedures, and guidelines related to the use of the university’s Real Property – facilities, infrastructure, grounds, and public spaces – owned or leased by Virginia Tech.

Relatedly, Virginia Tech has established Time, Place, and Manner guidelines regarding the use of university Real Property and resources. These guidelines support events in a manner that does not interfere with university functions, negatively impact public safety, or obstruct or damage university Real Property.

For more information including a list of guidelines, revisions, and clarifications to Policy 5000, read this campus notice.

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.