Faculty Handbook
2026-27 Virginia Tech Faculty Handbook
Approved June 2, 2026
Virginia Tech Board of Visitors
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Office of the Vice President for Policy and Governance
This document is subject to change. Please refer to the provost’s website for the most recent Faculty Handbook information.
University policies are available online, as are many important procedures maintained by the Procurement Department, Human Resources, and the Controller’s Office websites are updated as policies and procedures change. Please refer to them for issues not addressed in the Faculty Handbook.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
Faculty have the responsibility to be fully acquainted with and to comply with this handbook and the relevant policies of Virginia Tech.
1.1 Governance of the University
1.1.1 University Shared Governance Structure
1.1.3 Principles of Shared Governance
1.1.5 University Council Cabinet
1.1.7 University and Senate Commissions
1.1.8 University Standing Committees
1.1.9 Council of College Deans
1.1.10 Department Heads Council
1.1.11 College Faculty Associations
1.2 University Shared Governance and Policy Support
1.2.1 University Policies, Administrative Policies, and Presidential Policy Memoranda
1.2.1.2 Administrative Policies
1.2.1.3 Presidential Policy Memoranda
1.3.2 Executive Vice President and Provost (Provost)
1.3.3 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVPCOO)
1.4.1 College and Academic Deans
1.4.1.2.1 Dean of University Libraries
1.4.1.2.2 Dean of Honors College
1.4.1.2.3 Dean for Graduate Education
1.4.2 Academic Department and School Administration
2.0 Employment Policies for All Faculty
2.0.1 Virginia Tech Statement on Freedom of Expression and Inquiry
2.0.2 Annual Evaluation and Salary Adjustments
2.1 The General Faculty and Faculty Categories
2.1.1 Teaching and Research (T&R) Faculty
2.1.1.1 Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty
2.1.1.2 Instructional Faculty not on the Tenure-Track
2.1.2 Administrative and Professional (A/P) Faculty
2.1.2.1 Administrative Faculty
2.2 Additional Faculty Categories
2.2.1 Virginia Cooperative Extension Faculty (Extension)
2.2.2 The Faculty of Health Sciences
2.2.2.1 Leadership of the Faculty of Health Sciences
2.2.2.2 Types of Appointments to the Faculty of Health Sciences
2.2.3 The Faculty of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM)
2.2.3.1 VTCSOM Standards for Commercial Support
2.2.3.2 Additional Policy Obligations
2.2.3.3 Tenure-to-Title Track Faculty Appointments
2.2.4 Emeritus or Emerita Faculty
2.3.3 Academic Year Appointments (AY)
2.3.4 Research-Extended Appointments for Faculty on Academic Year (AY) Appointments
2.3.5 Calendar Year Appointments (CY)
2.3.6.2 Summer Session Appointments
2.3.6.3 Sponsored Grants and Contracts
2.3.6.4 Winter Session Appointments
2.3.6.5 Winter and Summer Session Appointments for A/P Faculty
2.3.7 Endowed Chairs, Professorships, and Fellowships
2.4.2 Terms of Faculty Offer (TOFO)
2.4.3 Documentation of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Authorization to Work in the U.S.
2.4.4 Conviction and Driving Record Check for Employment
2.4.5 University-Sponsored Applications for Permanent Residency
2.4.6 Qualifications for Teaching
2.5 Search and Appointment of Executive and Senior Administrative and Academic Leaders
2.5.1 Search and Appointment of the University President
2.5.2 Search and Appointment of Provost, EVPCOO, and Administrative Vice Presidents
2.5.3 Search and Appointment of College and Academic Deans and Academic Vice Presidents
2.5.4 Search and Appointment of Academic Associate and Assistant Deans
2.5.5 Search and Appointment of Department Heads, Chairs, and School Directors
2.6 Annual and Periodic Review of Executive and Senior Administrative and Academic Leaders
2.6.1 Annual and Periodic Reviews of Administrators Reporting to the President
2.6.4 Annual and Periodic Review of Department Heads, Chairs, and School Directors
2.7 Advanced Study at Virginia Tech
2.8 Types of Leave and Leave Reporting for all Faculty
2.11 Continuing and Professional Education Activities
2.14 Non-Reappointment of Faculty Members on Temporary or Restricted Appointment
2.15 Non-Reappointment of Faculty Members on Regular Appointment
2.15.3 Non-Reappointment for Research Faculty on Regular Appointment
2.16.1 Reduction in Force (RIF) Under Conditions of Financial Exigency
2.16.2 Reduction in Force (RIF) for Academic Program Restructuring or Discontinuance
2.17.1 Transitional Severance Benefits
2.17.2 Alternative Severance Option (ASO)
2.17.3 Unclaimed Personal Property
2.18 Professional Responsibilities and Conduct
2.18.1 Policy on Misconduct in Research
2.18.2 Statement of Principles of Ethical Behavior
2.18.3 Allegations of Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct
2.18.3.1 Allegations of Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct against an A/P faculty member
2.19 Faculty Senate Standing Committees on Ethics and Review
2.19.2 Faculty Review Committee
2.20 Disclosure Requirements for Activities and Interests (Conflict of Interest and Commitment)
2.21 Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
2.22 Additional Employment by Graduate Students with a Full-Time Assistantship
2.23.2 Non-Discrimination, Harassment Prevention, Sexual Assault
2.23.3 Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention
2.23.4 Safe Academic and Work Environment
2.23.6 Emergency Action Plans: Preparedness and Response
2.23.7 Authorized Closings and Modified Operations
2.23.8 Standards for Acceptable Use of Information Systems and Digital Media Communications Tools
2.23.9 Privacy of Electronic Communications
2.23.13 Stewardship of Resources and Internal Controls
2.23.14 Domestic and International Travel
2.23.15 Use of University Facilities
2.23.16 University Space Management
2.23.17 Operation of Autonomous Aircraft
3.0 Employment Policies for Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty
3.2 Honored Faculty Appointments
3.2.1 Alumni Distinguished Professor
3.2.2 University Distinguished Professor
3.4 Work-Life Resources for Tenure Track and Tenured Faculty
3.5 Annual Evaluation and Salary Adjustments
3.5.1 Unsatisfactory Performance
3.6.1 Pre-Tenure Probationary Period
3.6.1.1 Reviews of Progress Toward Promotion and/or Tenure
3.6.1.2 Guidelines for the Calculation of Prior Service
3.6.1.3 Extension of Pre-Tenure Probationary Period (Extending the Tenure Clock)
3.6.2 General Expectations for Promotion and Tenure
3.6.3 Departmental or School Evaluation for Promotion and Tenure
3.6.4 College Evaluation for Promotion and Tenure
3.6.5 University Evaluation for Promotion and Tenure
3.7 Appeals of Decisions on Non-Reappointment, Tenure, or Promotion
3.7.1 Appeal of Probationary Non-Reappointment Decision
3.7.2 Appeal of Promotion and/or Tenure Decision (and summary table)
3.10 Imposition of a Minor or Severe Sanction, or Dismissal for Cause
3.10.2 Imposition of a Minor Sanction
3.10.3 Imposition of a Severe Sanction
3.11 Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures
3.11.1 Ombuds, Mediation Services, and Faculty Reconciliation
3.11.2 The Formal Grievance Procedure
3.11.3 Timeliness of Grievance and Procedural Compliance
3.11.4 Particular Concerns and Definitions
3.11.5 Overview of the Formal Grievance Process for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
4.1 Faculty Ranks for Continued Appointment Track and Continued Appointment
4.2 Appointments with Continued Appointment
4.3 Work-Life Resources for Continued Appointment Track and Continued Appointment Faculty
4.3.1 Temporary, Part-Time, Continued Appointment and Continued Appointment-Track
4.3.2 Permanent, Part-Time Continued Appointments
4.3.5 Extension of the Probationary Period
4.4 Annual Evaluation and Salary Adjustments
4.4.1 University Libraries Minimal Standards
4.4.2 Unsatisfactory Performance
4.5 Reappointment, Promotion and/or Continued Appointment
4.5.1 Probationary Period and Progress Reviews (pre-continued appointment)
4.5.1.1 Guidelines for the Calculation of Credit for Prior Faculty Service
4.5.1.2 Probationary Reappointment
4.5.2 Guidelines and Evaluation for Promotion and Continued Appointment
4.5.4 Review and Recommendations by the Dean of University Libraries
4.5.5 The University-level Committee Evaluation for Promotion and Continued Appointment
4.5.6 Continued Appointment Decision
4.5.7 Promotion Consideration and Decision
4.5.8 Review of Progress Toward Promotion to Professor
4.6 Appeals of Decisions on Reappointment, Continued Appointment, or Promotion
4.8 Post-Continued Appointment Review
4.9 Imposition of a Severe Sanction or Dismissal for Cause
4.9.2 Imposition of a Severe Sanction
4.10 Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures
4.10.1 Ombuds, Mediation Services, and Faculty Reconciliation
4.10.2 The Formal Grievance Procedure
4.10.3 Timeliness of Grievance and Procedural Compliance
4.10.4 Valid Issues for Grievance
5.0 Employment Policies for Non-Tenure-Track Instructional Faculty
5.1 Non-Tenure-Track Instructional Faculty Series
5.1.3 Professor of Practice Series
5.1.4.1 Clinical Instructor Track
5.1.4.2 Clinical Professor Track
5.1.5 Collegiate Faculty Series
5.4 Annual Evaluation and Salary Adjustments
5.6 Appeals of Decisions on Promotion
5.7 Termination Procedures for Non-Tenure-Track Faculty on Regular Appointments
5.7.2 Termination of Appointment During the Contract Period
5.8 Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures
5.8.1 Ombuds, Mediation Services, and Faculty Reconciliation
5.8.2 The Formal Grievance Procedure
5.8.3 Timeliness of Grievance and Procedural Compliance
5.8.4 Valid Issues for Grievance
5.8.5 Particular Concerns and Definitions
5.8.6 Overview of the Formal Grievance Process for Non-Tenure-Track Instructional Faculty
6.0 Employment Policies for Research Faculty
6.1.1 Considerations for Establishment of Research Faculty Positions
6.1.3 Research Professional Faculty
6.1.4 Research Professor Ranks
6.1.4.1 Research Assistant Professor
6.1.4.2 Research Associate Professor
6.2 Research Faculty Appointments
6.2.1 Instructional Responsibilities for Research Faculty Members
6.2.2 Research Professional Faculty Promotions
6.2.3 Research Faculty Promotions: Professorial Ranks
6.3 Affiliated Research Faculty
6.4 Searches for Research Faculty
6.5 Terms of Faculty Offer (TOFO) and Documentation of Credentials
6.5.3 Calendar Year (CY) versus Academic Year (AY) Appointments
6.8 Merit and Special Adjustments
6.10 Termination Procedures for Research Faculty
6.10.2 Non-Reappointment of Research Faculty
6.10.3 Termination of Position Because of Insufficient Funds or No Further Need for Services
6.11 Effort Certification Compliance Issues for Research Faculty
6.12 Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures
6.12.1 Ombuds, Mediation Services, and Faculty Reconciliation
6.12.2 The Formal Grievance Procedure
6.12.3 Timeliness of Grievance and Procedural Compliance
6.12.4 Valid Issues for Grievance
6.12.5 Particular Concerns and Definitions
6.12.6 Overview of the Formal Grievance Process for Research Faculty
7.0 Employment Policies for Administrative and Professional Faculty
7.1 Categories and Definition of Administrative and Professional Faculty
7.1.1 Administrative Faculty – Executive and Senior Administrators
7.2 Administrative and Professional Faculty Rank and Title
7.2.1 University Libraries Faculty
7.2.2 Virginia Cooperation Extension faculty (Extension Faculty)
7.2.2.1 Consulting Activities for Virginia Cooperative Extension Faculty
7.3 Policies Related to Administrative and Professional Faculty Appointments
7.3.1 Protection of Academic Freedom
7.3.2 Initial Appointment and Appointment Term
7.3.3 Degree Verification and Qualifications for Teaching
7.3.4 Calendar Year (CY) and Academic Year (AY) Appointments
7.4 Annual Evaluation and Salary Adjustments
7.4.2 Electronic Faculty Activity Reporting (EFAR)
7.6 Non-Reappointment or Reassignment
7.6.1 Non-Reappointment of Administrative and Professional Faculty on Regular Appointments
7.6.2 Non-Reappointment of Administrative and Professional Faculty on Restricted Appointments
7.7.1 Imposition of Sanctions other than Dismissal
7.9 Grievance Policy and Procedures for Administrative and Professional Faculty
7.9.1 Ombuds and Mediation Services
7.9.2 The Formal Grievance Procedure
7.9.3 Timeliness of Grievance and Procedural Compliance
7.9.4 Valid Issues for Grievance
7.9.5 Particular Concerns and Definitions
7.9.6 Overview of the Formal Grievance Process for Administrative and Professional Faculty
8.0 Instruction-Related Policies
8.1 Assignment of Academic Responsibilities
8.1.1 Special Authority Conferred to the University Registrar During States of Emergency
8.1.2 Summer and Winter Sessions
8.1.3 Independent Study and Undergraduate Research
8.1.4 Graduate and Professional Program Standards and Policies
8.4 Textbooks and Other Instructional Materials
8.4.1 Faculty-Authored Course Materials
8.6.1 Syllabus and Performance Expectation
8.6.4 Undergraduate Student Grade Appeals
8.6.5 Graduate Student Grade Appeals
8.6.6 Student Academic Complaints
8.7 Faculty Instruction-Related Responsibilities
8.7.3 Students with Disabilities
8.8 The Virginia Tech Honor Code Pledge
8.8.1 The Undergraduate Honor System
8.8.1.1 Faculty Participation in the Undergraduate Honor System
8.8.1.2 Undergraduate Honor Code Statement in Course Syllabi
8.8.1.3 Undergraduate Honor Code Definitions of Academic Misconduct
8.8.1.4 Undergraduate Honor Code Sanctions
8.8.1.4.1 Grade Adjustments for Suspected Academic Misconduct
8.8.2 Graduate and Professional Student Honor System
8.8.2.1 Graduate Honor System (GHS)
8.8.2.2 Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
8.8.2.3 Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
8.10.1 Student Evaluation of Courses and Faculty
8.10.2 Peer Evaluation of Courses and Faculty
8.12 Undergraduate Student Advising
8.13 Identifying and Referring the Distressed Student
8.14 Faculty Awards for Teaching, Advising, Research, and Outreach
9.0 Policies for Research, Creative and Scholarly Activities
9.1 Principal Investigator Guidelines
9.3 Preparation of Proposals for Sponsored Projects
9.4 Laboratory Services and Facilities
9.5 Research Involving Human Subjects, Animal Subjects, and Biohazardous Agents
9.5.1 Research with Human Subjects
9.5.2 Teaching and Research with Animals
9.5.2.1 Animal Resources and Care Division (ARCD)
9.6 Ownership and Control of Research Results
9.7 Financial Conflicts of Interest Related to Sponsored Research
9.8 Classified and Controlled Unclassified Research
9.9 Special Circumstances for Theses and Dissertations
9.11 Scholarly Integrity and Misconduct in Research
9.11.3 Procedures for Reporting, Investigating, and Resolving Misconduct in Research
9.12 Removal of a Principal, Co-Principal, Lead Investigator, or Equivalent
9.13 Effort Certification and Salary Charges to Sponsored Grants and Contracts
9.13.1 Effort Reporting and Certification
9.13.2 Summer Research Appointments for Nine Month Faculty Members