u/Haunting-Tangelo3638

Looks like Canvas is back up as of 7:50 AM 5/8. Wait for further instructions from the university. I strongly recommend going in and taking screenshots of your current grades just in case (or downloading your gradebooks ASAP for professors). I suggest against using any of the chat/message functions in Canvas for now.
It's looking like the university may (?) recommending against adding any new data to canvas (no new grading, no posts, no messages, etc.). For students, that could mean that any outstanding assignments may be waived or may need to be completed a slightly different format. For professors, that could mean that they need to prepare for manual grading rather than relying on their programmed canvas system. Because the university hasn't said anything yet and canvas has been open since seven this morning, I don't know if this is just a recommendation from IT in my department or if it will be a blanket recommendation. It's best to continue to be cautious for now while we wait to see if further instruction is sent out.
7:45 PM update, Friday exams are moving to Sunday. Accommodations for religious reasons or things like work will try to be honored as much as possible. You can reach out to your professors directly about that.
Make sure to watch your email for updates from your academic advisors, professors, general VT IT, and/or the university itself.
We have confirmation that VT has secured all gradebook data and has downloaded it to an external server.
Try not to be a dick to your professors or advisors about what's going on. If we were hacked, all of us were hacked. Whether you are a student, a grad student, GTA, UTA, advisor, administration, professors, etc.. do not beg for exceptions and grade adjustments. The university will almost certainly make a decision across the board on the exam situation and how grading will be handled.
Those are the things that come to mind for now, but feel free to give out more suggestions below.
Remember our motto. Band together to support eachother in the ways that you can. I'm sure that there will be resolutions and more official information soon.
From the university- Additional guidance will be shared soon via email and posted on the university status page.
I know some people only had a Friday and/or Saturday exam and have flights/travel scheduled on Sunday. In that case, my best suggestion is to reach out to your professor. I'm pretty sure the recommendation is going to be to work something out between you and them if they can still offer it on Friday anyway (most will probably be open to doing so), but they'll definitely have to offer it on Sunday. If, ultimately, exams are thrown out, taking it anyway shouldn't be held against you. At worst it's going to be an only if it helps not hurts situation if that happens.
Blacksburg Transit is going to adjust their routes on Sunday to provide more transportation availability for students. They are expected to provide an update on their website by 5 PM today. The update will also be reflected on the VT status page.
SSD should be sending out a message soon regarding availability of the Werth Testing Center on Sunday. The message will include the following:

Sunday administration will use the same scheduled testing windows planned for today (Friday)
Existing testing locations remaining unchanged
No individual rescheduling accommodations outside of the adjusted university schedule unless otherwise directed through institutional processes

Canvas Down - How to Plan