The Virginia Tech Graduate School has its largest class, enrolling a total of 6,947 students from all campuses. This milestone continues a growth trend that has been steadily climbing since 2005.

From: Office of the Associate Vice President for Facilities

November 20, 2009

From: Office of the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services

Subject: Energy Conservation - Thanksgiving Break

During the week of the Thanksgiving break, we have an opportunity to realize considerable energy savings for the Blacksburg campus. We are requesting that everyone within their respective areas support Virginia Tech’s energy conservation efforts.

Accordingly, Facilities Services will modify the operation schedule of the HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) systems in many campus buildings or sections of buildings next week. Air handling units in the affected buildings will only operate from 7 am to 5 pm on Monday 11/23 and Tuesday 11/24, from 7 am to 1 pm Wednesday 11/25, and be turned off completely from 1 pm on Wednesday 11/25 until midnight on Sunday 11/29. Beginning at midnight on Sunday 11/29 all air handler operations will return to pre-Thanksgiving Break schedules.

While this may result in building temperatures drifting somewhat below the seasonal target of 68 degrees during times when the building is expected to be unoccupied, substantial savings will be generated as a result of this action. As a safeguard, Facilities Services will be monitoring building temperatures throughout the week and will make adjustments as needed based on weather conditions.

The Facilities Services web site http://www.facilities.vt.edu/ provides a listing of centrally controlled buildings where portions of the HVAC system is scheduled for reduced operations. Please contact Larry Smith in Facilities Services (X1-9921 or lasmith4@vt.edu) if you have any questions or concerns with the modified operations schedule.

Each of us can also take actions that will have a meaningful impact to lower our energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint.

• Windows and doors should be closed and secured.
• Computers, lights, space heaters, and other electrical equipment should be turned off whenever possible.

Collectively, these actions will reduce operating costs and advance the university’s sustainability goals as articulated in the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment.

For more information, contact Vickie Chiocca at 231-4416.

From: College of Engineering

Dennis Hong, an associate professor with the Virginia Tech College of Engineering and director of the Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa), will be a featured speaker at the Nov. 20 TEDxNASA event in Newport News, Va.

TED is a well-known annual event where some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. The TEDx events are smaller versions, held in a variety of locations. At its Web site, TEDxNASA organizers said their event will “spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.”

Hong will speak tomorrow from the Ferguson Center for the Arts on the Christopher Newport University campus. “I will be speaking about all the innovative robotics work we do at RoMeLa and how a spark of imagination in the middle of the night, inspiration from nature, and rigorous research lead to innovative robots,” Hong said earlier this week, via e-mail.

The event will be live-streamed over the Web on various formats. Among other speakers at the event is “Tuesdays with Morrie” author Mitch Albom. The speaking engagement, for which Hong was invited, is the latest coup in a stellar year for the robotics researcher. Hong recently was named to Popular Science’s 8th annual Brilliant 10. He also was promoted to associate professor of mechanical engineering and awarded the SAE International’s Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award.

From: C. Edward Watson, director of Professional Development and Strategic Initiatives

Blackboard Shutdown Progress on Target

Blackboard is being replaced by Scholar and will no longer be available for course use after August 16, 2010. If you haven’t begun the process of moving your Blackboard materials to Scholar, we encourage you to do so before the summer rush.

This semester, approximately 50% of the faculty who were using Blackboard have already switched to Scholar. If you are not in this half, we suggest that you consider taking advantage of the following resources:

1. Workshops regarding Scholar are being offered throughout the fall, and spring 2010 “Blitz Week” sessions are now open for enrollment. To sign up, for either sets of programming, please visit http://www.fdi.vt.edu 2. A “Course Copy Tool” is available that will move your content from Blackboard to Scholar; however, some reorganization is required after this transfer. You can access this tool at https://learn.vt.edu/transition/

Please note that the “Course Copy Tool” will not move tests and quizzes. Online Course Systems (OCS) will do that for you. To request help with quiz migration, please use our help form at http://4help.vt.edu – Those with large sets of question pools are encouraged to contact OCS as soon as possible.

For more information, contact Watson at (540) 231-4234.

From: Office of the President

The Spring 2010 Graduate School commencement ceremony will begin 30 minutes earlier than it has in the recent past to facilitate the transition between the Graduate School ceremony and the University Ceremony. That is, the Graduate School ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14. The procession will begin at 2:15 p.m. Check-in for students and faculty participating in the hooding ceremony will be in the practice gyms on the ground floor of Cassell Coliseum beginning at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 2:00 p.m. Faculty members participating in the procession are requested to arrive at the practice gyms no later than 2:00 p.m.

For more information, contact (540) 231-6231.

From: Virginia Tech Golf Shop

All faculty, staff and students are invited to the VT Golf Shop One-Day Christmas Sale on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 from 8:30AM to 6:00 PM. All merchandise is marked down from 20% - 60%. Apparel items feature the VT logo and make wonderful gifts for the the golfer and non-golfer on your Christmas list. Visit our website for additional information: http://www.recsports.vt.edu/facilities/VTGolfCourse.com

From: Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science

Good Morning,

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsors the Summer Faculty Research Program for U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who hold teaching or research appointments at U.S. colleges and universities. This program provides an opportunity for faculty members to participate in research of mutual interest to the faculty member and professional peers at U.S. Navy Laboratories. In particular, NSWC Dahlgren is interested in hosting Virginia Tech faculty under this program.

The Summer Faculty Research Program is a 10-week program, beginning in May 2010. There are three levels of appointment: Summer Faculty Fellow, Senior Summer Faculty Fellow, and Distinguished Summer Faculty Fellow. Stipends range from $1,400 to $1,900 per week for the summer program.

Each fellow will be reimbursed for expenses incurred on an optional pre-program visit to the sponsoring laboratory and one round-trip encompassing travel to the sponsoring laboratory at the beginning of the program and travel back to their home residence at the end of the program. Relocation assistance is provided to qualifying participants. At the discretion of the Navy lab, fellows may be allowed to bring a student (undergraduate or graduate) to the lab to assist with the summer research. The students' stipends will be comparable to those in the NREIP Program.

This program is residential and all work must be completed on site at the sponsoring U.S. Navy Laboratory.

Applications for the 2010 ONR Summer Faculty Research Program are due by December 4, 2009.

Additional information and applications are available at: http://onr.asee.org/

Jon Greene
Program Manager
Virginia Tech
Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science ICTAS Building,
Suite 410f (0193) Stanger Street Blacksburg, VA 24061

email: greenej@vt.edu
office: 540-231-8566
mobile: 540-553-5846

From: Transportation and Campus Services

Blacksburg Transit to Begin Christiansburg Service

The Town of Blacksburg and the Town of Christiansburg will launch expanded Blacksburg Transit bus service in Christiansburg on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 9 a.m. This expansion of the existing public transportation system includes three separate routes:

1. The Shopper Express, a circulator around the mall shopping area of Christiansburg 2.The Explorer, a circulator around the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods 3.Go Anywhere! Christiansburg route which provides service from anywhere to everywhere in Christiansburg.

To launch the new service and encourage the public to try it out, there will be games and freebies on Nov. 23 and extended hours and fare free service will be provided through December 31st.

For more information and times of service visit www.btransit.org or call 540-961-1185.

From: Transportation and Campus Services

Mail Services – delivery changes for Nov. 25

Due to the University closing at noon on Wednesday, November 25, Mail Services will only be making morning deliveries.

If you usually receive your mail in the afternoon, you WILL NOT receive your mail that day. If you have mail that needs to be sent out on Wednesday, you can bring it to the Virginia Tech Post Office by 11:00 a.m.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mail Services at 231-6909 or mailservices@vt.

From: University Unions and Student Activities

Heritage Month Posters displayed on Virginia Tech campus

The office of leadership development in the department of student activities is sponsoring heritage month leadership posters, which will be displayed on campus during designated heritage months. This informative and decorative presentation promotes awareness of different cultures by profiling significant leaders. The heritage month posters are displayed on the third floor of Squires Student Center, on the plasma screens in the Graduate Life Center and Johnson Student Center, and online.

Ana Sofia Barrenchea, assistant director for leadership development programs, coordinates the heritage month leadership poster exhibits. She said, “We want to grab the attention of the Virginia Tech community and introduce them to these leaders and their accomplishments while celebrating their cultural heritage. We hope this will enlighten others about the accomplishments of these populations and their impact on society. We also hope it will help individuals understand that what can be seen as impossible can indeed be achievable and that there is the potential to triumph through adversity.”

During each designated heritage month, the posters highlight important role models, both historical and contemporary, who have made a difference. This fall, Hispanic heritage month was commemorated by showcasing Cesar Chavez, Ellen Ochoa, Gloria Estefan, Louis Walter Alvarez, and Roberto Clemente. The current display, celebrating American Indian heritage, includes profiles of Wilma Mankiller, Jim Thorpe, LaDonna Harris, Maria Tallchief, and Russell Means. In the upcoming months, posters will be displayed for Black history, January 18 to February 28; Jewish awareness, March 16 to April 15; and Asian Pacific American heritage, April 1 to April 30.

The content of the posters is researched by the office of leadership development. The Virginia Tech community is invited to make suggestions for the heritage month leadership posters via email at stuact@vt.edu. For more information about displays and to view leaders profiled in the past, visit the heritage month leadership poster website at http://www.uusa.vt.edu/studentActivities/heritagemonthposters.php.

The department of student activities is part of University Unions & Student Activities (UUSA). UUSA, a unit within the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, complements the academic program by providing a variety of activities, educational opportunities, programs, facilities, and services that enhance student development and enrich the quality of campus life at Virginia Tech.

Written by Dove Powers, a senior from Haysi, VA, and an English major in the college of liberal arts and human sciences.

For more information, contact Sandy Broughton at (540) 231- 3467.

Social networking companies compete in different ways from other companies, say two professors at Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business.

From: Kimberly Brown, Director, University Studies/University Academic Advising Center

Subject: Virginia Tech Awards for Exemplary Academic Advising: Call for Nominations

Virginia Tech sponsors three Exemplary Academic Advising Awards annually in an effort to recognize the outstanding efforts of faculty and professional advisors and the role they play in retaining students and developing an advising partnership which fosters a supportive environment. I am pleased to announce this year's call for nominations for each of these awards. Please consider nominating eligible advisors. More information is available at www.advising.vt.edu.

Nomination Deadline for all Awards: January 15, 2010

Each year, the university recognizes the importance of advising excellence through the awards described below.

• To make a nomination, visit the appropriate link to print the nomination form and submit it to Kimberly Brown, Director of University Academic Advising Center/University Studies by January 15, 2010.
• Completed nominating packets and supporting materials, including but not limited to nomination forms, dossier, and letters of support must be submitted by February 12, 2010 for review by the selection committee.

I. Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising: for excellence in undergraduate advising. The nominee must be a full-time faculty member and must hold the rank of professor or instructor

One award of $2000 is given each year. The awardee also will receive membership in the Academy of Advising Excellence. The committee reviews nominations made by students, alumni, faculty, departments, or self-nominations, and selects a recipient. An individual who has received any one of these awards is ineligible for another major award for a period of seven years and can receive any particular award only once.

II. Alumni Award for Excellence in Graduate Academic Advising: for excellence in graduate advising. The nominee must be a full-time faculty member and must hold the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor or instructor.

One award of $2000 is given each year. The awardee also will receive membership in the Academy of Advising Excellence. The Advising Award committee reviews nominations made by students, alumni, faculty, departments, or self-nominations, and selects a recipient. An individual who has received any one of these awards is ineligible for another major award for a period of seven years and can receive any particular award only once.

III. The Provost's Award for Excellence in Advising: to recognize an individual who serves undergraduate advisees in exemplary ways.

One award that includes a $2,000 cash prize, a plaque, and membership in the University's Academy of Advising Excellence is given each year. The nominee must be faculty (Instructor or other rank) or a classified staff member with assigned undergraduate advising responsibilities. The Provost's Award for Excellence in Advising is given annually to recognize an individual who serves undergraduate advisees in exemplary ways. Supporting documents are required for the Provost's Award for Excellence in Advising. For more information, please visit: http://www.advising.vt.edu/provosts_award.pdf.

From: Larissa Chadwick, Virginia Tech YMCA

YMCA Open University Classes in December

12/2-12/16 Japanese Calligraphy
This class will introduce students to the art of Japanese calligraphy. Students will learn the correct stroke style and order to create beautiful Japanese characters.

12/5 Stained Glass Holiday Ornaments
Learn basic stained glass copper foil techniques while constructing holiday-themed ornaments or suncatchers.

12/7 Solar Greenhouses
Want to grow produce in the winter? Dave Roper, the designer and builder of the YMCA Solar Greenhouse (YSGH) will present the basic principles of a solar greenhouse.

For more information or to register online, please visit http://www.vtymca.org/fall09.html or call 961-9622.

From: Kenny Jarels, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Lighting The World With Candles for Morgan Harrington

On Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 9:00 PM EST -

Let's Light a Candle to Bring Morgan Home

Please spread this to as many people in your email lists and your personal networking sites!!!!!

Saturday, November 21st 2009 at 9:00 PM EST - people all over the country and as far as we can spread this message will be lighting a candle - thinking of Morgan - Praying for Morgan and her family.

From: Office of the Senior Vice President and University Provost

Search begins for associate provost for resource management and planning

Virginia Tech has launched an internal search for the position of associate provost for resource management and planning, a position that has been held since 1999 by Dixon Hanna who is retiring effective January 1, 2010. "Dixon has been a critical member of the leadership team in the provost’s office. He leaves a legacy of strong relationships across the campus, having worked collaboratively with many others to find solutions to the complex financial and space problems that Virginia Tech has faced over recent years. I have benefited from his wise counsel and his unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of the institution," said Mark McNamee, senior vice president and provost.

The associate provost serves as the primary point of contact for the provost on matters of academic space, academic planning, and resource management.

The search committee invites applications for the position from the university community by December 7, 2009. See posting number 090654 on the Human Resources website at www.hr.vt.edu/employment/

From: Recreational Sports

Virginia Tech Recreational Sports presents Foxridge Apartments Intramural Flag Football Championships

Join the Hokie Gobblers at Foxridge Apartments Intramural Soccer Championships on Thursday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m. [date is subject to change] on the Upper SRA Fields. The event is also sponsored by Domino’s Pizza and POWERADE and is open to the public.

A variety of contests will take place during halftime of the first four championship games. Play Domino’s Pizza Punt, Pass, and Kick to win a large Domino’s Pizza. Dominate PK’s Wing Eating Contest, Football Bungee Endzone, and Dress-Up Football for a chance to win signed Virginia Tech football jerseys. Jerseys include #34 Ryan Williams, #11 Dyrell Roberts, and #5 Tyrod Taylor. Anyone can participate in these Hokie Gobbler contests for a chance to win a signed jersey or prizes from our sponsors. We will also raffle off a Foxridge Apartments goodie bag after each game.

Come watch the action as the teams compete. Participate in contests between games and enjoy free giveaways all night. Be sure to stop by the Hokie Gobbler and Foxridge Apartments give-a-way table anytime during the night to pick up information, goodies and FREE POWERADE.

For additional information visit our website at www.recsports.vt.edu.

An updated version of the VT Desktop Alerts application can be downloaded at http://www.alerts.vt.edu/desktop/. The VT Desktop Alerts application can be downloaded to any desktop or notebook computer connected to the Internet that uses a supported version of Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS X.

Mac OS X users who have the automatic updates feature enabled (which is turned on by default) will receive a prompt to install the update shortly after it is available. All Windows users and Mac OS X users who have disabled automatic updates will need to visit http://www.alerts.vt.edu/desktop/ to download the new version of the application.

There is no need to uninstall your previously installed version of VT Desktop Alerts. You can download and install the upgrade to replace the existing version.

Learn more about the VT Desktop Alerts application at http://www.alerts.vt.edu/desktop/.

From:

Hokie Wellness announces line-up of offerings:

Maintain, Don't Gain department challenge and Free Personal Nutrition Counseling just in time for the Holidays. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and November 19 is the Great American Smokeout. Locate smoking cessation resources for you or someone in your life and learn about Virginia's new smoking law effective December 1.

For these and many other resources see: http://www.hokiewellness.hr.vt.edu

For more information, contact Theresa Conti at 231-4806.

From: Jan Helge Bøhn, Vice Chair, Commission on Outreach and International Affairs (Contact: Kim Rhodes, rhodesk@vt.edu)

Nominations open for Alumni Awards for Outreach Excellence through Dec. 1

To: Deans, Department Heads, and University Center Directors

Date: November 16, 2009

RE: Alumni Awards for Outreach Excellence: Individual Achievement & Team Achievement

Nominations are invited for the university-wide Alumni Awards for Outreach Excellence (Individual and Team Achievement). The alumni awards are funded through the Alumni Association and are managed and administered by the Commission on Outreach and International Affairs. Please share this information with your faculty and staff and request that they nominate those who are deserving of these awards.

The nomination deadline for the Alumni Awards for Outreach Excellence is 5 p.m. December 1, 2009. Information outlining the nomination process as well as previous winners can be found at the links below.

The recipient of the Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence, Individual Achievement, will receive a monetary award of $2,000 and a plaque, and those recognized for Team Achievement will share $2,000 and a plaque.

Please refer to the Employee Awards and Recognition Programs Policy 4335, Section 3.4, regarding taxation of awards.

The Alumni Awards are conferred during the Faculty Awards dinner in August. Recipients of the Alumni Awards are inducted into the Academy of Outreach Excellence at Outreach NOW in September.

College Awards for Outreach Excellence (now in their sixth year) are solicited and evaluated by individual colleges. Individual colleges will be determining deadlines for the college awards and when the recognition is to occur. Recipients of the college-level awards receive a $500 award and a plaque at their college award ceremony. College award winners are NOT in the academy.

The Academy of Outreach Excellence recognizes those who have contributed to excellence in the outreach mission of the university. This mission includes activities in Continuing and Professional Education, Virginia Cooperative Extension, International Research, Education, and Development, Economic Development, Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement, and other outreach projects and accomplishments by the university community.

Nomination criteria can be found at: http://www.outreach.vt.edu/awards_doc/Outreach-Excellence-Announcement.pdf

Past award recipients can be found at: http://www.outreach.vt.edu/awards_doc/Outreach_Awards-1995-present.pdf

Prospective nominees are encouraged to consult: http://www.provost.vt.edu/faculty_awards.php

For more information, contact Kim Rhodes at 231-3205.

From: Kristen Swanson Houston, Multicultural Programs and Services

The 31st semi-annual Donning of The Kente Ceremony will take place on December 17, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the Old Dominion Ballroom (Squires Student Center). The Donning of the Kente Ceremony serves as a celebration of achievement for undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. candidates. The Black Organizations Council (BOC) designs this ceremony to provide graduates with a positive and rewarding experience which recognizes them for their hard work and dedication. Family and friends are a very important part of this recognition ceremony and are given an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of their loved ones. Each graduate that participates in the ceremony will receive a Kente stole, which they are able to wear during the University’s commencement ceremonies. The Ceremony will also include a formal address by a chosen speaker to acknowledge individual graduates’ achievements as well as a dinner reception following the closing remarks.

The Black Organizations Council is hoping that you, as a faculty or staff member, would like to attend the Donning of the Kente Ceremony to help us honor December’s graduates. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP through the VT survey link no later than Thursday, December 3, 2009. Please note that you may need to copy and paste this link on to your internet browser. If you are also interested in wearing your academic regalia and participating in the faculty processional during the Donning of the Kente Ceremony, the survey will give you an opportunity to indicate as such.

The Black Organizations Council hopes that you will add the Donning of the Kente on December 17th to your calendar. If you have any questions about this Ceremony, please feel free to email Helene Jones at joneshe@vt.edu.

For more information, contact Kristen Swanson Houston at (540)231-6023.