Week of July 14-18

Faculty Affairs: Summary of key changes to the 2025-26 Faculty Handbook 

Each academic year, Faculty Affairs updates and publishes the Faculty Handbook on behalf of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Faculty Senate. The handbook serves as a guide for faculty in relation to their responsibilities and to other university policies, procedures, and resources that pertain to them. 

In addition to several administrative updates, the 2025-26 Faculty Handbook includes substantive changes that were approved through the governance process and by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. The revised sections are as follows: 

• Section 1.1.12 Faculty Organizations (CFA 2024-25K) 
• Section 2.2.4 Non-Discrimination, Harassment Prevention, Sexual Assault (CFA 2024-25D) 
• Section 2.3.2 (and throughout) Faculty Reconciliation (CFA 2024-25H) 
• Section 3.2.2 University Distinguished Professors (CFA 2024-25B) 
• Section 5.1.4 Clinical Faculty Series (CFA 2024-25A) 
• Section 6.1.2 Postdoctoral Associate (COR 2024-25A) 
• Chapter 12: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (CFA 2024-25J) 

This year’s handbook will also include an overview, and a letter from the provost and the president of the Faculty Senate and chair of the Commission on Faculty Affairs. 

For more information and details on the approved revisions, read the summary of changes memo or email Faculty Affairs.

CETL: Faculty preparing for fall instruction invited to attend Course Design Clinic 

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) invites faculty preparing for fall course instruction to attend a Course Design Clinic, August 13-14 from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in Newman Library Room 101S. Lunch will be provided. 

During the two-day clinic, activities will focus on identifying areas of both strength and weakness in existing course design, incorporating engaging pedagogy, identifying moments to check in with students, and building a stronger community and sense of belonging. The Course Design Clinic looks at stages of design to include: 

• Aligning goals and learning outcomes with activities and assessments 
• Organizing the course shell, syllabus, and schedule 
• Designing individual class meetings, activities, and assignments 
• Planning for assessment of student learning 

For more information and to register for the clinic, read this campus notice, visit the Course Design Clinic webpage, or email CETL.

LCI: Conversation Partners Program helps faculty connect students across cultures 

The Language and Culture Institute (LCI) is seeking faculty collaborators to integrate our Conversation Partners Program into their courses or co-curricular programs. 

This initiative pairs Virginia Tech students with international students for one-on-one conversations, offering a unique opportunity for intercultural exchange and language practice. Participants meet eight times per semester for about one hour per session. 

The Conversation Partners Program is looking for: 

• Courses or academic programs that can incorporate eight conversation sessions per semester 
• Faculty interested in experiential, globally minded learning 
• Opportunities to embed meaningful intercultural dialogue into the student experience

Students apply and are matched based on interests and availability. Meetings can be virtual or in-person, and orientation and support are provided through LCI.

For more information, read this campus notice or email Meredith Hutton with the Language and Culture Institute.

Student Affairs: Seeking Hokie Helpers to welcome students, assist with fall move-in 

Virginia Tech Student Affairs is gearing up to welcome our new and returning Hokies with Fall Move-In, and is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to serve as Hokie Helpers to assist them as they move into residence halls. 

There are five kinds of Hokie Helpers: Tent Volunteers, Check-in Volunteers, Building Ambassadors, Wayfinding Volunteers, and Cart Wrangler Volunteers. Helpers do not handle student belongings, but they do ensure carts are available at check-in tables and help families find residence halls, get checked in, and find their rooms. 

Volunteers are needed for half-day shifts August 19–22. Faculty and staff may sign up for just one or as many shifts as their schedule allows. 

The last day to sign up to volunteer is August 14. 

For more information and to access the online volunteer sign-up form, read this campus notice or visit the Hokie Helpers webpage.

ICYMI: Federal Guidance webpage provides campus community with updates, resources 

Virginia Tech has launched a new webpage that consolidates updated information, guidance, and resources to assist the campus community in navigating recent government actions and directives. 

The Federal Guidance page serves as a resource hub for the following: 

• Leadership messages 
• University commitments 
• University support and resources 
  • International students and employees 
  • Global travel 
  • Research 
  • Academics and instruction 
  • Other 

Updates will be posted as new guidance and info becomes available. An online feedback form has also been created for members of the university community who need individual guidance or have additional questions or concerns. 

For more information, visit Virginia Tech’s Federal Guidance webpage or contact your department head, school director, or immediate supervisor. 

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC

• Share your expertise! Teach for the Lifelong Learning Institute
• ADA Title II compliance target date announced, resources available
• ‘Conflict Management for the Dog Days of Summer: A Reflective Mindset'
• Make the most of summer with training, development opportunities
• Considering Generative AI at Virginia Tech
• Update to guest sharing settings in Microsoft 365
• Register for the CETL Welcome Back Symposium 2025
• Departmental Emergency Action Plans due August 1