University Policy Updates: September to December 2025
From: Office of the Vice President for Policy and Governance
The following university policies were updated between September to December 2025. Both substantive and technical updates are included below. Note: The most recent updates to a posted policy can be found at the end of that policy under “Approvals and Revisions.” Please read to learn more.
Academic
No. 6400 – Policy on University Textbook Sales: This policy was revised to reflect operation of Virginia Tech Bookstores are by Virginia Tech Auxiliary and Business Services, and updates to procedures, definitions and links.
No. 6505 – Academic Consortial Relationships: This policy was modified to reflect alignment with SACSCOC interpretation of academic consortial arrangements, and updates to links, definitions, and position titles.
No. 6900 – Course Numbering and Approvals: This policy revision included an update to Section 2.2 to include Zero-credit Undergraduate Bridge Program and updated the proposal process in Section 3.0 to reflect current practices.
No. 6901 – Definition of a Credit Hour: This policy was revised to update links and clarify language in Section 2.0.
Advancement
No. 12111 – Acceptance of Terms and Conditions Associated with Donations, Gifts, & Other Private Philanthropic Support: This policy was revised to reflect updated position titles.
Campus-wide
No. 1025 – Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Assault and No. 1026 – Policy and Title IX Sexual Harassment and Responsible Employee Reporting: These policies were revised to update the definition of fondling in conformity with the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System.
No. 5600 – Policy for Authorized Closings and Modified Operations: This policy was modified to add language defining different levels of university operations, and expanded and clarified information regarding cancelation of classes.
Finance
No. 3400 – Administering Privately-funded Scholarships and Awards Managed by Virginia Tech: This policy was revised to update reporting due dates in Section 3.4.1.
Human Resources
No. 4000 – Recruitment and Selection of Staff, Wage, and Temporary Positions: This policy was revised to remove reference to diversity to comply with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resolution passed by the Board of Visitors on March 25, 2025, updated and removed language now encompassed in Policy 4005, Exceptional Recruitment and Retention Incentive Options Policy, removed reference to search committee charge workshop, and updated links and references.
No. 4260 – Probationary Period for Salaried University Staff Employees: This policy revision aligned notice of termination updates with Virginia Department of Human Resource Management Policy 1.60, Standards of Conduct; clarified procedures and included references to the university’s performance management system for staff; removed references to obsolete Form P125, Probationary Progress Review; clarified procedures related to probationary progress reviews, record retention, and termination or disciplinary action; and updated names of units, titles, policies, forms, and website links.
No. 4410 – Voluntary Transitional Retirement Program for Tenured and Continued-Appointment Faculty: This policy was revised to provide clarification language regarding eligibility requirements and program timing and updated the policy title to include continued-appointment faculty.
Research
No. 13020 – Policy on Misconduct in Research: This policy revision included alignment with the revised Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct outlined at 42 CFR 93; extended timelines for the inquiry and investigation; expanded documentation requirements; added additional safeguards and protections for the respondent and complainant; and expanded the definitions section.
Safety and Security
No. 1005 – Environmental Health and Safety Policy: This policy was comprehensively revised to clarify environmental health and safety responsibilities and update the policy title.
No. 5617 – Safety and Security Camera Acceptable Use Policy: This policy was modified to clarify the IRB role in approving cameras used in research, and NI&S references were updated to the Division of Information Technology.
No. 5810 – Food Truck Policy: This policy was comprehensively revised to clarify roles, responsibilities, and procedures for university food trucks and non-university food trucks, and updated definitions and the policy title.
For more information on policies and the policymaking process at Virginia Tech, visit Policies at Virginia Tech. Policy questions may be sent to vppg@vt.edu.