Virginia Tech supports and encourages programs to acknowledge and formally recognize the contributions, exemplary performance, and continuous service of our employees to the university. State employees may only receive compensation, whether from public or private sources, under the authority of approved policies. Whereas classified employees are covered by the Commonwealth’s Personnel Act and policies set forth by the state’s Department of Human Resource Management, the terms and conditions of employment for Teaching and Research and Administrative and Professional Faculty are established by the university’s Board of Visitors. This policy describes the process for establishing recognition programs and providing awards to faculty and classified staff outside of the normal merit process.