| Restructuring plans for our nine colleges began in May 2002. Certain subject areas and academic disciplines will move to new college affiliations. It is anticipated that this restructuring of our colleges will not be concluded for approximately 18 months. Up-to-date information can be found at the university's web site: http://www.vt.edu. |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a publicly supported, comprehensive, land-grant university, serves the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the international community by generating and disseminating knowledge in the humanities, arts, social sciences, scientific, and professional disciplines through instruction, research, and extension. Inspired by its motto, "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), the university instills within each member of the university community an appreciation of the values and obligations of productive citizenship and the responsibilities of leadership while promoting personal and intellectual development. Its scholastic programs are accessible to all who demonstrate academic merit to gain entrance.
To achieve this mission, it will identify and build on strengths across the university, forge innovative and mutually productive relationships with industry and government, manage resources efficiently, and establish a clear identity as a forward-thinking, high-quality institution that systematically guides and evaluates its future.
Since its founding as a land-grant college in 1872, Virginia Tech has grown to become the state's largest university with an enrollment of about 26,000. With approximately 200 degree programs and more than $150 million in research expenditures each year, Virginia Tech offers the widest range of degree choices in Virginia and is the state's leading research institution.
The university offers more than 70 bachelor's degree programs through its seven undergraduate academic colleges: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Pamplin College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Human Resources and Education, and the College of Natural Resources. On the postgraduate level, the university offers about 120 master's and doctoral degree programs through the Graduate School and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Undergraduates study under the tutelage of the best minds of the university with about 90 percent of lecture classes taught by university faculty members, not part-time instructors or graduate students. Faculty members and students, including undergraduates, are also involved in more than 3,500 research projects in fields ranging from biotechnology to urban planning.
As a leading research institution, it's not surprising that the university has become a world-class leader in computing, information, instructional, and communications technology. That technology is permeating just about every aspect of the university, including its instruction, research, and outreach activities. It is dramatically changing how the university operates, how it teaches, how its students learn, and the reach and impact it has around the state, nation, and world.
The campus is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, about 38 miles southwest of Roanoke, Virginia. To reach the campus from Interstate 81, take Exit 118 B (Christiansburg) onto U.S. Rt. 460 West. Remain on 460 West to Virginia Tech. Take the Virginia Tech exit (314 East) off U.S. 460.
Virginia Tech has about 100 campus buildings, hundreds of research laboratories, the Corporate Research Center, an airport, 2,600 acres in Blacksburg, and a 1,700-acre research farm in Montgomery County.
Among the university's major on-campus facilities are: Carol M. Newman Library, with over 2 million volumes; Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center, a conference center with 100 rooms for guests; Cassell Coliseum (seating 10,000); Lane Stadium (seating 63,459); and a communications network that provides voice, video, and computer data transmission to offices, classrooms, laboratories, and dormitory rooms; a teleport of satellite dishes for receiving and transmitting; and a computing and communications complex providing the university community with access to information systems and resources worldwide. Adjacent to campus is the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, which employs about 1,000 and offers businesses the opportunity to establish close working relationships with the university.
Major off-campus facilities include: the Center for European Studies and Architecture in Switzerland; the Virginia Tech/University of Virginia Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church; the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center; the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center; public radio station WVTF in Roanoke; the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg; the Washington-Alexandria Center of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies; a dozen agricultural experiment stations; and six 4-H centers throughout the state.
The University Libraries consist of the Carol M. Newman Library and four branches: Art and Architecture, Geosciences, Veterinary Medicine, and the Resource Service Center located in Falls Church, Virginia. The University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the organization of the 120 largest research libraries in North America.
The University Libraries has a collection of over 2 million bound volumes; 6 million microforms; 8,870 videos and films; 8,640 cassettes and recordings; and 131,472 maps. The libraries subscribe to over 7,000 journals and periodicals. The Special Collections Department houses major research and archival collections including the Archives of American Aerospace Exploration, the International Archive of Women Architects, and the Josh Billings Civil War Collection.
As the libraries move to become more "electronic," additional services and resources are available on the University Libraries' home page at http://www.lib.vt.edu. Using the libraries' home page from on or off campus, you can ask a brief reference question, place recalls on books that have been checked out, request items through Interlibrary Loan, search Addison (the on-line card catalog), and access databases.
Virginia Tech subscribes to over 200 searchable databases for locating journal articles; a complete alphabetical listing or breakdown by subject is available from the "Research" link on the libraries' home page. These databases cover all major disciplines. Some databases contain the articles in full text while others offer only bibliographic information; some are subject specific while others cover a broad subject range.
For users with disabilities, there is a Special Services Room in Newman Library equipped with adaptive software and hardware. See Center for Alternative Media's (CAM) Media Database at http://www.lib.vt.edu/services/cam/md/ for videos, cassettes, DVDs, CDs, and filmstrips etc.
Two reference desks (1st floor and 4th floor tower) and an Information/Help desk, located in the lobby of Newman Library, are staffed by persons who can help library patrons locate and use appropriate resources for their information needs.
The above information can only begin to introduce you to the wealth of materials, resources and services available from the University Libraries. A "get acquainted" tour of Newman library can be accomplished in several ways: a virtual tour can be taken at http://www.lib.vt.edu/research/libinst/virtualtour/; the Newman Library lobby desk has self-guided tour booklets and at the start of each semester a tour schedule is posted in Newman library.
Virginia Tech long has enjoyed a national reputation related to innovative and effective uses of computers and other information technologies. That tradition continues as the Information Systems & Computing Center, with its sister organizations, continues to build the network and technological infrastructures that will be needed by students at a comprehensive university in the 21st century.
Anchoring the university's electronic information technology complex, the Virginia Tech Information Systems & Computing Center centrally provides to the institution systems and services in broad demand (like campuswide electronic mail, the online library catalog, and high-end computing power) as well as those systems necessary for the operation of the institution itself (like budget, payroll, and student records).
The university data networks are accessible from every office and residence hall as well as from off campus. Students who have personal systems attached to the network can use them to communicate in various ways with others around the world via the Internet, the emerging information superhighway. Students also may use systems and software available in various computer labs located around campus, both general purpose ones and those with more specialized capabilities like the Multimedia Lab, the Visualization Lab, and the new Media Center in the Newman Library.
Continuous improvements to our computer systems and networks are coordinated with related formal training for our faculty and staff. Even as these investments increase operational efficiency and effectiveness, they are helping us to incorporate more computing in the curriculum so that we may better prepare students for the world of work in the information age. As a result, while at Virginia Tech, our students operate in an information technology environment second to none.
Communications Network Services is responsible for the provision of all communications services (voice, data, video) to the university community, including telephone and telecommunication services for students in the residence halls on campus. Off-campus students may obtain access to Virginia Tech's data network via a group of high speed modems. CNS's major goal is to provide communications services which maintain and enhance the university's leadership position in the delivery of instructional, research, and extension services. To accomplish this goal, a concerted effort is expended to remain current with respect to advances in communications technology. High-speed Ethernet connections have been added to every dorm room. In addition to Ethernet, the university supports local area networks utilizing broadband and token ring technologies with a fiber optic inter-building backbone.
Student life at Virginia Tech encompasses learning inside and outside the classroom. Students have the opportunity to become involved in over 500 student organizations which sponsor a broad array of social, cultural, and educational activities. Information on how to get involved in student life at Virginia Tech is found in "University Policies for Student Life," the undergraduate student handbook. Entering students receive a copy of this handbook during orientation. Others may request a copy from the Office of the Dean of Students. Information is also available on the Dean of Students home page (http://www.dos.vt.edu).
Students are encouraged to make healthy and responsible decisions concerning lifestyles as members of the university community. The university recognizes a student as an adult and expects that students will assume responsibility for their actions. The university offers assistance to students through a number of services, such as the University Counseling Center, to discuss issues concerning difficult decisions during the college years. Information concerning services and a detailed statement of the responsibilities of students is contained in "University Policies for Student Life."
The Honor Code is the university policy which defines the expected standards of conduct in academic affairs. The Virginia Tech Honor Code embodies a spirit of mutual trust and intellectual honesty that is central to the very nature of the university and represents the highest possible expression of shared values among the members of the university community.
The fundamental beliefs underlying and reflected in the Honor Code are: that trust in a person is a positive force in making that person worthy of trust, that every student has the right to live in an academic environment that is free from the injustices caused by any form of intellectual dishonesty, and that the honesty and integrity of all members of the university community contribute to its quest for truth.
The functions of the Honor System are to communicate the meaning and importance of intellectual honesty to all students of the university; to articulate and support the interest of the community in maintaining the highest standards of conduct in academic affairs; and to identify, sanction, and educate those who fail to live up to the stated expectation of the university community with regard to these standards. (Please see the "Academics" section of this catalog for details relating to the Honor Code and System.)
The Division of Student Affairs is concerned with all aspects of student life at Virginia Tech. The division consists of the following units: the Dean of Students Office, University Student Health Services, University Counseling Center, University Career Services, Residential and Dining Programs, University Unions and Student Activities, Military Affairs (including the Corps of Cadets and ROTC Programs), and Recreational Sports.
The mission of the Dean of Students Office is to foster a welcoming community for all students. The office supports the transition to college life, coordinates access and accommodation for students with disabilities, leads the response to student emergencies, serves as a voice for student concerns within the broader community, and develops programs to affirm the inclusion of all students.
Members of the Dean of Students staff are available to meet with students on a walk-in basis, although appointments are appreciated. For more information about the following issues, contact the Dean of Students Office in 152 Henderson Hall:
Admission to Virginia Tech is based on requirements outlined in the application and in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs. Admission decisions are made without regard to disabilities. All applicants to the university are reviewed through the same admission procedure. Virginia Tech is committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to take part in educational and employment programs and services on an equal basis.
To be eligible for services, students with disabilities must identify themselves and present professional documentation to the Dean of Students Office, Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). In general, the less obvious the disability, the more information is required to assess a student's needs and make accommodation recommendations. Documentation should be recent, relevant, comprehensive, and, where appropriate should contain test scores and interpretation. If the original documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability or reasonable accommodations, the university has the discretion to require additional documentation. Any cost incurred in obtaining additional or initial documentation is borne by the student. Until appropriate documentation is provided, SSD cannot support the student's request for services. Faculty members are not expected to provide services unless students present verification of needs from SSD.
University Student Health Services provides general ambulatory health care to students throughout the year. Students who have paid their health fee (included as part of the university's comprehensive fee) and submitted a health history form are eligible for services. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified college health nurses, and licensed practical nurses manages most common illnesses and injuries. X-ray, laboratory, and pharmacy services are available on site.
The university has contracted with an insurance carrier to offer group health coverage for all full-time students at Virginia Tech. For details on levels of coverage and specific limitations, please contact the Student Medical Insurance office at 540/ 231-6226.
Medical insurance is mandatory for all international students with F-1 or J-1 visas at a minimum of $50,000 accident and sickness coverage. Medical insurance is mandatory for all College of Veterinary Medicine students at a minimum of $100,000 accident and sickness coverage. All students in these two areas must show in writing that they have equal or better coverage of the minimum levels from another insurance company, or they must purchase the university-sponsored plan. Review of insurance policies is done by the Student Medical Insurance office. Once the student's policy is verified by the university, each student must complete a waiver, which can be obtained at that office.
An overseas emergency evacuation program is available to faculty, staff, students and their families who may travel overseas either on business or pleasure. MEDEX provides emergency services outside your home country. Included are
MEDEX is already a part of the Virginia Tech medical insurance offered to full-time students attending the university. For further information on MEDEX services or the student medical insurance program, contact Risk Management at telephone 540/231-7439, or fax 540/231-5064, or e-mail to canoe@vt.edu.
University Counseling Services offers to all students a range of services designed to reduce the effects of personal problems, to enhance learning skills, and to promote effective educational and career decision making. The center offers both group and individual sessions throughout the year.
Career Services, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs, offers services and resources to help all students in the university, from freshmen through graduate level, with the following areas of need:
Information on all of Career Services' programs, as well as direct access to many job listings, is available through our Web site at http://www.career.vt.edu. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 540/231-6241, and students are always welcome to visit the office on the top floor, Henderson Hall.
The Co-op/Internship Program is an academic program that provides students the opportunity to combine real world work experience with classroom theory. It involves one or more semesters of paid, full-time work, and is a partnership among the student, Career Services, the academic department, and the employer. Gaining career-related experience gives the co-op/internship student the opportunity to test career goals, defray the costs of a college education, and gain an important edge in the full-time employment market.
Co-op/Internship Program Orientation Sessions are available throughout the year to introduce students to the program, to provide guidelines for participation, and to explain the services and resources available in seeking opportunities. Please call (540) 231-6241 to find out more.
Colleges and academic departments participating in the Cooperative Education program are:
Agriculture and Life Sciences
Animal and Poultry Sciences
Biochemistry
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
Food Science and Technology
Horticulture
Arts and Sciences
Art
Biology
Chemistry
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Economics
English
Geography
Geological Sciences
History
International Studies
Mathematics
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Statistics
Architecture and Urban Studies
Urban Affairs and Planning
Business
Accounting and Information Systems
Economics
Finance, Insurance, and Business Law
Management
Business Information Technology
Marketing
Engineering
Aerospace
Biological Systems
Chemical
Civil
Computer
Electrical
Engineering Science and Mechanics
Industrial and Systems
Materials
Mechanical
Mining
Ocean
Human Resources and Education
Clothing and Textiles (Near Environments)
Human Development
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Housing, Interior Design, and Resource Management (Near Environments)
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Natural Resources
Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
Forestry
Wood Science and Forest Products
Residential and Dining Programs (RDP) serves students by providing facilities and services for on-campus housing and dining. With seven dining facilities and 34 residence halls, RDP offers various dining and housing options to best meet the students' needs.
Residence halls vary in size and shape and students may live in either traditional rooms or suites, single sex or coeducational halls. Staffing within each residence hall includes Resident Advisors who are responsible for community development, programming and judicial actions with assistance from a Head Resident Advisor or Graduate Hall Director. Professional live-in Area Coordinators assume primary responsibility for the supervision of the hall staffs in their assigned area. In addition, the Residence Hall Federation (RHF) focuses on improving the quality of residence hall living and implementing educational social programs for the resident communities. All residence hall students are automatically members of the RHF. Numerous leadership opportunities are available with this student organization.
All entering freshmen live on campus unless they fall into one of the following categories: those living with parents or other relatives; those who are married and living with their spouses; veterans of at least 6 months of military service; and those who are at least 21 years old. Requests for exceptions to this policy should be addressed to the Office of Residential and Dining Programs.
On-campus housing is also available, but not guaranteed, for upper-class students. The demand for a limited amount of on-campus space has necessitated the development of a random selection process for allocation of on-campus space to upper-class students.
The Virginia Tech Off Campus Housing Center (VTOCHC) provides information and assistance to students seeking rooms, apartments, houses, or roommates in the area. These services are free to students. A sublet service allows students to locate others to live in their place and provides those seeking off-campus housing a place to live for a short term in Blacksburg. To receive information about off- campus housing, send a self-addressed 8 1/2" x 11" envelope with three postage stamps to Virginia Tech Off Campus Housing, 121 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0138. Include a letter explaining your needs. If you have questions, you may phone the staff at 540/231-3466, or send e-mail to vtoch@vt.edu.
Numerous dining options are available for both on-campus and off-campus students, as well as for faculty, staff, and campus visitors. All on-campus students choose one of five dining plans. Off-campus students, faculty, and staff may select one of ten dining plans or participate in the Dining Dollars debit card program. Two traditional, all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities provide well-balanced nutritional meals. In addition, there are à la carte facilities where customers can choose from specialty and cooked-to-order items. Owens Food Court has twelve specialty shops and offers an array of international cuisine, including Italian, Mexican and Asian. Both Owens Food Court and Hokie Grill & Co., which features gourmet burgers, fries, yogurt and a large salad bar, are located in Owens Food Center. Deet's Place, RDP's award-winning specialty shop, serves freshly roasted gourmet coffees, espressos, cappuccinos, ice cream and baked goods. Located conveniently in Dietrick Dining Center, the coffeehouse atmosphere is the perfect place for studying or taking a break with friends. Freshens Yogurt, the newest specialty shoppe, located in Schultz Hall, offers a variety of frozen yogurts and features Sweet City Candy Express. Pool tables and video machines are also available for student use.
All vehicles, including motorcycles, parked on the Virginia Tech campus must be registered with the Parking Services Office and must display a university parking permit. Parking permits are available for full year, semester, summer, or daily, and an appropriate fee is charged for each permit. Bicycles must also be registered and this is available free of charge. Visitors are required to display a visitor permit provided free of charge. For more information about parking or to request a parking regulations handbook, contact the Parking Services Office at 455 Tech Center Drive, or call 540/231-3200.
University Unions and Student Activities (UUSA) serves the university community and enhances student development by coordinating and administering a wide variety of co-curricular activities. UUSA staff members advise many major student organizations, including student-run programming organizations which provide concerts, touring theatre productions, dances, films, and other leisure and entertainment activities through the Office of Program Advising and Student Entertainment. The Office of Leadership and Student Organization Programs and the Office of Greek Life work with more than 500 student organizations, including the Class System, which is one of Virginia Tech's oldest traditions.
Through the Class System, all undergraduate students are members of the Student Government Association. Undergraduate students elect executive officers, and senators are elected from each academic college. Students have a voice in establishing university policies through representation on the Commission on Student Affairs, the University Council, and most university committees.
UUSA is housed in Squires Student Center, the hub of student life on campus. Squires also houses theatres, ballrooms, a speakers' hall, the Black Cultural Center, the Multicultural Center, and the Perspective Art Gallery, all of which host a wide range of programs for the university community. Lounge spaces, a food court, meeting rooms, recreational areas, and student organization offices attract both students and faculty to Squires. The Division of Performing Arts occupies space for both music and theatre programs, in addition to the Music Department's offices.
UUSA also manages the War Memorial Chapel, the G. Burke Johnston Student Center, the Cranwell International Center and the Department of Recreational Sports. Through UUSA Event Planning, groups may reserve spaces throughout campus, including numerous outdoor locations.
Virginia Tech is one of two public universities in the United States offering a cadet program within a larger, non-military student body. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, a militarily structured organization, offers many leadership development opportunities to both male and female students. The Center for Leader Development offers a concentration in leadership studies. (Contact R. E. Denton, Jr., Director, [540/231-7136] for additional information on the center.)
The Corps is supervised by the Commandant of Cadets, who establishes overall policies and methods of operation for the Corps. The cadet student commanders and staff officers are responsible for implementation of policies and procedures.
Membership in the Corps involves a 24-hour-a-day commitment. Members wear a distinctive Virginia Tech cadet uniform and live in designated cadet residence halls. Both cadets and non-cadets are part of one student body, attend the same classes, and are organized into one student government. Cadets participate in all university activities, including athletics, social events, and cultural programs. Membership in the Cadet Regimental Band, the "Highty-Tighties," is restricted to cadets. Although many benefits are available through participation in one of the three ROTC programs offered at Tech, a student does not have to enroll in an ROTC program to be a member of the Corps of Cadets.
The Reserve Officer Training Corps Programs conducted at Virginia Tech are optional electives for cadets only and are offered by the Army, Navy/Marine Corps, and the Air Force. All students participating in ROTC are required to be members of the Corps of Cadets. Details about courses offered, as well as available scholarships and stipends, can be found in the department listings under the College of Arts and Sciences; ROTC (Army), ROTC (Navy/Marine Corps), and ROTC (Air Force). Upon successful graduation from Virginia Tech and completion of the ROTC program, the student is appointed as an officer in either an active or reserve component of the Armed Forces. Students completing the ROTC program may not receive credit toward degree requirements for all their completed ROTC courses. The total ROTC credits permitted to be applied toward a degree varies by major and ranges from four to 24. Consult your course advisor for information on ROTC credits which may be used within your major.
Students interested in additional details should contact the professor of military science for Army ROTC, the professor of naval science for Naval/Marine Corps ROTC, or the professor of aerospace studies for the Air Force ROTC program.
All Virginia Tech students are eligible to join the Cadet Regiment and participate in the cadet lifestyle. Cadet student status is a prerequisite for participation in any of the ROTC programs.
Physical Standards: The Department of Defense has prescribed physical standards for formal enrollment in the ROTC programs. Cadets not physically qualified for an ROTC program may remain in cadet status as a member of the Corps of Cadets.
Cadet Regulations: Cadets are expected to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code and abide by all cadet regulations, directives, policies, and procedures of the Corps, as well as the rules governing civilian students found in The Pylon.
The following summary gives the prospective cadet an understanding of the nature of his or her obligation as a cadet:
See the section on Academics for details on the ROTC course credits which apply toward degrees.
For additional information:
| Commandant of Cadets | Air Force ROTC |
| 143 Brodie Hall | 228-A Military Building |
| Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech |
| Blacksburg, VA 24061 | Blacksburg, VA 24061 |
| 540/231-6858 | 540/231-6404 |
| Army ROTC | Naval/Marine Corps ROTC |
| 226 Military Building Hall | 417 Femoyer |
| Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech |
| Blacksburg, VA 24061 | Blacksburg, VA 24061 |
| 540/231-6403 | 540/231-7883 |
Virginia Tech has a diverse and highly active athletic program for men and women students in intercollegiate, intramural, and extramural sports. The athletic program is recognized as one of the most successful in the nation because it is geared to meet the needs of all students interested in physical and recreational sports activity, not just scholarship athletics.
The university has extensive and modern athletic and recreational facilities, including: Cassell Coliseum, an indoor arena seating 10,000; Lane Stadium, seating 63,459; a fully equipped recreation gymnasium, including an indoor swimming pool; Rector Field House and Indoor Tennis Pavilion; a baseball field; outdoor tennis courts; an 18-hole golf course; a track; a pond for ice skating in the winter; and the South Recreation Field Area for outdoor sports.
Virginia Tech's athletic varsity teams compete at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The university participates in the Big East Conference for all varsity sports. The wrestling team competes in the Eastern Wrestling League. Athletic scholarships are available in the following intercollegiate sports:
baseball (men)
basketball (men and women)
football (men)
golf (men)
lacrosse (women)
soccer (men and women)
softball (women)
swimming/diving (men and women)
tennis (men and women)
indoor/outdoor track/cross country (men and women)
volleyball (women)
wrestling (men)
The following extramural sports clubs also are available: bowling, clay target, crew, cycling, women's field hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse, rugby, soccer (women's), softball (women's), volleyball, and water skiing. Some of these clubs compete in NCAA events, while others are instructional and recreational/social in nature.
Virginia Tech offers intramural and recreational programs for men and women in the following sports: basketball, bowling, flag football, racquetball, handball, a frisbee tournament, golf, horseshoes, innertube water polo, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, volleyball, and wallyball.
Virginia Tech -- Undergraduate Catalog, 2002-2004
Last update: August 2002
URL: http://www.vt.edu/academics/ugcat/ucaGenInfo.html