The Network Newsletter (Spring 2020)

From the Department Head

I would like to first say thank you to all of our alumni and friends who have reached out to the Department of Computer Science during these historically challenging times!

I am proud of the work our team has done to mobilize our efforts, as has the entire university, to maintain continuity of instruction and continue our research momentum. Our students, staff, and faculty have worked collectively, in the spirit of Ut Prosim, to truly think outside of the box (and the classroom!) in remarkably quick fashion.

I would like to leave you with a recent message that I shared with our students: "Finally, please take care of yourselves and those you love! That is the #1 thing at this point. You do not have to be perfect. We will not get everything 100 percent perfect. But we will walk through this together as Hokies who care about each other and our communities!"

Cal Ribbens

Virginia Tech student helps create website to track coronavirus
"I've never had a chance to work on something so real like this," shared Virginia Tech computer science junior, Austin Stout, on his role in the development of the trackcorona.live website. Read more >>

Professor Ali Butt speaks on global pandemic as a catalyst for technology changes
Virginia Tech computer scientist and cloud computing expert, Ali R. Butt, says that cloud infrastructure enables society to be technologically ready during this time and is creating new opportunities to improve work efficiency in the future. Read more >>

Faculty answer the COVID-19 research call
Computer science faculty and graduate students are at the frontlines of the COVID-19 research initiative, having been awarded grants, as well as actively submitting rapid proposals to contribute to this collective body of research. Learn more >>

Support the Student Emergency Fund
Many of you have asked how you can help our students during this extraordinary time. For those of you who want to give, the Student Emergency Fund is a powerful way to make a difference.

Update on Events
Based on an abundance of caution and deep concern for the possible risk that travel and assembling in crowded spaces creates, Virginia Tech is postponing or cancelling events scheduled prior to June 10. The department is continually monitoring the situation to plan for events in the Fall.

Although Giving Day is an online event, Virginia Tech has postponed the event from March to September 9-10, 2020 in light of COVID-19's widespread impact. 

To better stay connected with the department, review and update your information.