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From: Transportation and Campus Services

New Bike and Personal Transportation Policy

The new Bicycle and Personal Transportation Devices policy number
5005 has recently been approved. The policy was developed to address the growing needs of the cycling community on campus. In addition, the policy also includes information on mopeds and motor-scooters, skateboards and other electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs).

A few highlights of the new policy are:

• Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks but pedestrians have the right of way and bicyclists must be careful of and courteous to pedestrians.
• Skateboards are allowed on sidewalks and other paved surfaces but
  not roadways.
• All wheels on skateboards must be on the ground at all times.
• Mopeds and motor-scooters must purchase and display a parking
  permit and must park in the designated moped/ motor-scooter or motorcycle parking spaces and not at a bike rack.
• Mopeds and motor-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks except to
  access designated moped/motor-scooter parking spaces.

Please visit http://www.policies.vt.edu/5005.pdf for complete details.

From: The Office of the Provost
Re: 2009-10 P&T Guidelines and Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Dossier-Building Sessions

In 2009-2010, all promotion and tenure dossiers submitted for university-level review must be delivered in PDF file format. The 2009-2010 promotion and tenure guidelines are available at http://www.provost.vt.edu/tenure.php . If you have any questions or concerns regarding the promotion and tenure process, you may contact Cyndi Hutchison at chutchison@vt.edu or Suzie Karlin at skarlin@vt.edu.

In support of the new requirement for submitting promotion and tenure dossiers in the PDF file format, the Faculty Development Institute is offering “Adobe Acrobat Professional 9.0 for Faculty Building P&T Dossiers.” Each one-hour session provides the same information, and covers topics most needed by faculty in completing a P&T dossier. Sessions are also open to staff members who assist in dossier submissions to departmental, college, and university-level committees. The curriculum for this short course will include how to convert Word documents into a PDF file; how to set bookmarks within a PDF file; and how to insert and delete pages using the Adobe Acrobat Professional 9.0 software. While sample files will be provided, participants are encouraged to bring their own dossier materials on a USB jump drive for use during the workshop. For those in search of one-on-one help beyond these workshops, the InnovationSpace in 1140 TORG is open from 10:00 to 6:00, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer.

Sessions will be held in 3080 Torgersen Hall on the following dates:

• Monday, July 20 11:00 – noon
• Friday, July 24 8:30 9:30
• Friday, July 24 – 2:00 – 3:00
• Monday, July 27 – 9:00 – 10:00
• Tuesday, July 28 – 10:00 – 11:00
• Wednesday, July 29 – 1:00 2:00
• Thursday, July 30 – 2:00 – 3:00
• Friday, July 31 11:00 – noon

Registration is open now at https://www.fdi.vt.edu/public/?term_pk1=8220

The information sessions will be repeated as part of the Fall FDI schedule. Registration for those sessions will not be available until late July or early August. A campus notice will be run when registration for those sessions is open.

From: The Office of the Provost
Re: 2009-10 P&T Guidelines and Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Dossier-Building Sessions

In 2009-2010, all promotion and tenure dossiers submitted for university-level review must be delivered in PDF file format. The 2009-2010 promotion and tenure guidelines are available at http://www.provost.vt.edu/tenure.php . If you have any questions or concerns regarding the promotion and tenure process, you may contact Cyndi Hutchison at chutchison@vt.edu or Suzie Karlin at skarlin@vt.edu.

In support of the new requirement for submitting promotion and tenure dossiers in the PDF file format, the Faculty Development Institute is offering “Adobe Acrobat Professional 9.0 for Faculty Building P&T Dossiers.” Each one-hour session provides the same information, and covers topics most needed by faculty in completing a P&T dossier. Sessions are also open to staff members who assist in dossier submissions to departmental, college, and university-level committees. The curriculum for this short course will include how to convert Word documents into a PDF file; how to set bookmarks within a PDF file; and how to insert and delete pages using the Adobe Acrobat Professional 9.0 software. While sample files will be provided, participants are encouraged to bring their own dossier materials on a USB jump drive for use during the workshop. For those in search of one-on-one help beyond these workshops, the InnovationSpace in 1140 TORG is open from 10:00 to 6:00, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer.

Sessions will be held in 3080 Torgersen Hall on the following dates:

• Monday, July 20 11:00 – noon
• Friday, July 24 8:30 9:30
• Friday, July 24 – 2:00 – 3:00
• Monday, July 27 – 9:00 – 10:00
• Tuesday, July 28 – 10:00 – 11:00
• Wednesday, July 29 – 1:00 2:00
• Thursday, July 30 – 2:00 – 3:00
• Friday, July 31 11:00 – noon

Registration is open now at https://www.fdi.vt.edu/public/?term_pk1=8220

The information sessions will be repeated as part of the Fall FDI schedule. Registration for those sessions will not be available until late July or early August. A campus notice will be run when registration for those sessions is open.

From: University Organizational and Professional Development

Since 1996, the Administrative Professional Development Program (formerly Office Managers Development Group) has offered an opportunity for professional growth to nearly 290 employees in administrative support roles.

Members of each class are given a way to exchange ideas and to develop skills and abilities. Participants become more valuable to their departments through increased knowledge of campus policies, procedures and programs, enhanced supervisory and communication skills, and greater confidence in carrying out their complex roles. The program is also described on-line at http://www.upd.vt.edu/staff_opp/Individual_Development/apdp/index.html

Our experience with previous classes has demonstrated the value of professional development programs for VT employees. We believe the opportunity should be extended to all staff who have responsibilities in an administrative support role at Virginia Tech. It is now time to form another class to begin in Fall 2009. This class, as with previous ones, will consist of approximately 25 members who meet the following criteria:

• Hold full-time administrative support positions in Pay Bands 2 & 3, such as Office Manager, Executive Secretary, Secretary Senior, Administrative Assistant, Administrative & Program Specialist, Office Services Supervisor or comparable assignments.
• Perform a variety of duties such as office management, bookkeeping, project management and/or supervision.
• Desire to further develop skills and abilities, and are willing to be active participants of the APDP.
• Can commit approximately 2-3 hours of their work schedules per month, as well as one daylong session during the academic year.

If someone in your department fits the above criteria and can fulfill the time commitments, please complete the nomination form found on-line at:
http://www.upd.vt.edu/staff_opp/Individual_Development/apdp/index.html

Nominations should be returned to Terri Tishman, University Organizational and Professional Development, Campus Mail at 0538 or faxed to 540-231-6479. Forms must be received no later than Monday, July 13, 2009. Those selected for APDP 2009-2010 will be notified by August 15th.

Please call 231-6727 with any questions.

Thank you for supporting your staff and their professional development for your nomination.

To the University Community:

Although Friday, July 3rd will be recognized as a holiday in observance of Independence Day (4th of July), it will also be an exam day for the end of Summer Session I. All faculty are to treat July 3rd as they would any other exam day that occurs when the university would ordinarily be closed, i.e. Saturdays at the end of Fall or Spring semesters.

From: Office of the Vice President for Research

Deadline July 2 for three limited submission programs

Many funding agencies place limits on the number of proposals or applications that a university may submit in response to a particular announcement. To prevent any potential disqualification of submissions coming from Virginia Tech, the Office of Research created a system for reviewing proposals internally.

July 2 is the deadline for internal notices of intent for the Bridges to the Doctorate Program (R25), Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program
(R25) – PAR-07-411, and AAEP/American Live Stock Inc. Veterinary Student Scholarship.

Learn more at and submit a notice of intent to apply for a program at research.vt.edu/ltdsubs/">https://secure.
research.vt.edu/ltdsubs/.

After submitting a Notice of Intent on-line, researchers will automatically be notified about their status in the process. This information will include word that no competition exists and a submission can go forward to the funding agency or that an internal competition must be held and pre-proposals are required. At each stage of the Limited Submission process, researchers will receive e-mails keeping them abreast of various due dates, all in an effort to eliminate confusion and missed communications.

Limited Subs deadlines are available through RSS, which can be subscribed to from the Limited Subs web page.

If you have any questions, contact Beth Trantor at btranter@vt.edu or 1-1782.

From: Office of the Provost

Save the Date: Faculty Mentoring Workshops

Results from recent faculty surveys indicate that almost half of Virginia Tech faculty feel that they do not receive effective mentoring. Discussions with pre-tenure faculty indicate that they would like to have more interaction with senior colleagues both within and outside their home departments, and associate professors feel that they receive little guidance on professional development post-tenure.

Considerable informal and formal mentoring occurs at Virginia Tech.
However, informal mentoring may not meet the needs of all colleagues, and not everyone automatically knows how to be a good mentor.
Research shows that effective mentoring is highly correlated with career success in academe, providing not only opportunities to develop skills and abilities but also connecting colleagues to important professional networks and department and disciplinary culture.

Colleges and departments at Virginia Tech currently employ a variety of approaches to mentoring and career development. Some use a traditional one-on-one mentoring model with an assigned mentor, others meet with junior faculty as a group. Peer mentoring has also been successful for some faculty. One size definitely does not fit all.

In order to provide additional resources for faculty and departments interested in starting or improving a mentoring program, AdvanceVT and the Office of the Provost have invited Dr. Mary Deane Sorcinelli, Director of the Office of Faculty Development at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, to Blacksburg on September 23-24, 2009, to present a series of workshops.

Dr. Sorcinelli uses a model of “Mutual Mentoring” that recognizes that no single individual can provide a faculty member with all of the information or advice needed to succeed. More information on Dr.
Sorcinelli’s work at UMass can be found at http://www.umass.edu/ofd/mentoring/index.html. She will present three workshops during her visit, each targeting different audiences:
department heads and senior faculty, pre-tenure faculty, and associate professors.

Please mark your calendars for September 23-24, and be on the lookout for more information as the date approaches. Consider bringing a small group of faculty from your department to the workshop on September 23. If you would like to schedule a meeting with Dr.
Sorcinelli while she is on campus, please contact Peggy Layne at playne@vt.edu or 231-9948.

From: Transportation and Campus Services

The Spring/Summer 2009 Edition of the Transportation & Parking Update is now available online at http://www.facilities.vt.edu/T&Pupdate/update_spring_2009.pdf

Inside you will find:

• U Car Share comes to Virginia Tech
• 09-10 Parking Permit Information
• Biodiesel use at Fleet Services
• Fleet Services Building Renovations
• New Bike Policy information
• Summer Road Closures

If you have questions or comments please email hilaryw@vt.edu.

From: University Unions and Student Activities

Gobblerfest, a welcome festival for students, staff, faculty, and community members will be held Friday, August 28, 2009. All university departments, services, and programs are invited to take part in this exciting event!

Your department can join us for this special event to showcase your programs and services to the Hokie community. This is a great chance to show your Hokie spirit and introduce yourself to thousands of attendees.

During the first Gobblerfest, more than 12,000 students and community members came to learn what local businesses have to offer, how they could get involved in student organizations, what volunteer opportunities are in our community, and what university departments, programs, and services are offered at Virginia Tech. Gobblerfest proved to be a wonderful way to welcome new and returning members of the VT and Blacksburg community to the Hokie neighborhood in a fun and festive atmosphere. Everyone is welcome!

Virginia Tech’s University Unions & Student Activities is once again hosting Gobblerfest, outside of Squires Student Center and the Graduate Life Center, and up College Avenue into the downtown business district. Gobblerfest includes games, food, and prizes, as well as a Business Expo, VT-Engage Volunteer Fair, Student Organization Showcase, music, and the Class of 2011 Kickoff Concert and pep rally.

• All Gobblerfest booths will be open from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the Class of 2011 Kickoff Concert and pep rally at 5 p.m. and late night activities in Squires beginning at 8 p.m. Set up starts at 9 a.m.
• We accept credit card payments, HokieMart, or ISRs for registration at our secure website at www.gobblerfest.org
• A basic table will cost $50, but departments that sponsor an
  approved entertainment or an attraction can register for free! See the list of possible attraction sponsorships at www.gobblerfest.org for great ideas to bring attention to your department.

More information can be found at the Gobblerfest website at www.gobblerfest.org, where you can also view photos of last year’s event.

If you have any questions, please contact us. We look forward to your participation as we grow this new tradition. Register today to be a participant in Gobblerfest 2009 at www.gobblerfest.org. Welcome to the Hokie Neighborhood!

Greg Beecher
Gobblerfest Planning Committee Chair
Phone: 540.231.5431
Fax: 540.231.5430
E-mail: gbeecher@vt.edu.

Julie Walters-Steele
Director of University Unions
Phone: 540.231.5431
Fax: 540.231.5430
E-mail: jws@vt.edu.

Sandy Broughton
UUSA Marketing and Communications
Phone: 540.231.3467
Fax: 540.231.5430
E-mail: siemens@vt.edu.

From: Eileen Hitchingham, Dean of Libraries

Leslie O’Brien, the Director of the Jean Russell Quible Department of Technical Services for the Libraries, will take on additional responsibilities to serve as the Director for Collection Management, effective July 1, 2009. Edward Lener, College Librarian for Science, will work with Leslie as Associate Director for Collection Management.

For more information, contact Eileen Hitchingham, Dean of Libraries at
540-231-5595.

From: Aprile Belk, Northern Virginia Center

Effective July 1, 2009 all mail delivered from Blacksburg to the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church Virginia will require postage from the sender in Blacksburg.

How will this affect you? Any one sending mail from the Blacksburg campus to the Northern Virginia Center effective July 1, 2009 are required to use a United States mailing address (not mail stop number 0362). The mail room in Blacksburg will return all mail coming to the Northern Virginia Center with no postage back to the originating department.

The mailing address is Virginia Tech/Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock Road, Fall Church, Virginia 22043. Please include name and department on all mail correspondence.

If you have any questions or concerns about this new change, please contact Aprile Belk or David Trauger.