IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1.iTHENTICATE TRAINING
Policy Updates:
2. REMINDER: TOEFL MINIMUM REQUIREMENT INCREASED BEGINNING FALL 2018
3. ASSISTANTSHIP ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE FOR NEW STUDENTS
Administrative Announcements:
4. TAKE YOUR STUDENTS TO LUNCH DURING GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK
5. NEW GRADUATE CONTRACT TOOL
6. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
7. ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT TRENDS
8. DEAN’S DIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIPS – DEADLINE MARCH 9
9. MCNAIR ASSISTANTSHIPS – DEADLINE MARCH 10
Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
MARCH 1: Last day to submit application for degree form for spring for name to appear in commencement bulletin.
MARCH 21: iThenticate Training
MARCH 22: PHD/EdD last day to defend to participate in commencement
MARCH 26-30: Graduate Education Week
APRIL 15: Assistantship Acceptance deadline (See #3 for details).
MAY 31: Deadline to submit edits to Graduate Catalog (see #5)
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. iTHENTICATE TRAINING
Wednesday, Mar 21 – Hold the date: details to follow
Beginning Summer Session I, iThenticate will be used in conjunction with scheduling final examinations and submitting the ETDs. Thus it is important that the faculty and graduate students are trained in its use. Turnitin will be providing initial training for Graduate Program Directors on March 21. It is vitally important that GPDs learn about the tool and specifically how it will be used for ETD submission so that you will be able to assist faculty and graduate students in your department. These hour-long sessions will likely be in the morning (8:30-9:30) and early afternoon (1:00-2:00, 2:15- 3:15) and are designed for faculty members. Please hold the date and plan to attend. More details will be forthcoming in the next bulletin.
Policy Updates:
2. REMINDER: TOEFL MINIMUM REQUIREMENT INCREASED BEGINNING FALL 2018
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required of all international students whose first language is not English, except for those applicants who have graduated from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction. The university-wide minimum requirements for the Fall 2018 and semesters after are:
* 90 for the internet-based test
* 233 for the computer-based test
* 577 for the paper-based test
3. ASSISTANTSHIP ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE FOR NEW STUDENTS
The Council of Graduate Schools established April 15 as the earliest deadline schools may set for the acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as assistantship or fellowship) for the next academic year by a prospective graduate student. You may encourage but not require newly accepted students to respond to an assistantship or fellowship/scholarship offer before April 15. Our International Graduate Student Support office will start issuing immigration documents to new international students in February to allow students sufficient time for the visa application process.
Administrative Announcements:
4. TAKE YOUR STUDENTS TO LUNCH DURING GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK
We invite and encourage all departments and graduate programs to host their own GEW events as well, or invite their students to the Student Appreciation Lunch, our official kick-off of Graduate Education Week 2018, on Monday, March 26. By advance reservation only; seating is limited – go here to see a flyer with more information: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/content/dam/graduateschool_vt_edu/glc-events/2018_GEW_appreciation_lunch_form.pdf.
5. NEW GRADUATE CONTRACT TOOL
The new Graduate Contract Tool is up and running and the old tool was retired on February 28 as planned. If you experience any problems with creating or managing contracts, please email gradcontracts@vt.edu. If you need assistance in incorporating workflow of the new contract tool into your existing process, please contact us at grads@vt.edu and we would be happy to help you. Also, there is still space in a Contract Tool Training being held on March 5 at 2:00pm. To register for this class go to: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eniuSxPbYk4hhrv.
On our webpage at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-information-for-departments/NewContractManagementTool.html, you can find a link to the contract as well as a link to the training slideshow and a training manual.
6. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
The cycle to edit for catalog year 2018-2019 will start at the beginning of April. Please be sure to review and edit your program and certificate content. Regardless of whether you have changes or not, content must be reviewed and submitted. This is your affirmation that content is up-to-date. The deadline to submit May 31, 2018. Note the deadline is earlier this year.
7. ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT TRENDS
We will soon be providing you with a link to data you can use to raise conversations about recruitment strategies in your departments and programs. When we meet again in August for the annual recruitment and diversity summit, we want to begin recommending some new and different approaches. Please contact Kacy Lawrence (klawr5@vt.edu) and Christian Matheis (matheisc@vt.edu) if you would like data tailored more specifically to your programs.
8. DEAN’S DIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIPS
To be eligible, students must be Master’s or Doctoral students. Preference is given to students who did not attend Virginia Tech for their undergraduate degree. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their first year of graduate study. A regular departmental assistantship stipend is provided as well as In-state tuition (any applicable out-of-state fees will be waived). Students must pay their own comprehensive fees. A maximum of three nominations per department is allowed. Nominations must be made by a faculty member with a Virginia Tech PID and password and must be submitted by March 9. To access the Nomination form go to: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3vBDWlTpFjhaYDj&Q_JFE=0. For more information on these and other funding opportunities, contact Christian Matheis at (540) 231-6529 or go to https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html.
9. MCNAIR ASSISTANTSHIPS
To be eligible, students must be Master’s and Doctoral-level students who were Ronald E. McNair Scholars as undergraduates and U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their first year of graduate study. This is a one-year assistantship, with departmental matching required for the second year. A regular departmental assistantship stipend and In-state tuition (any applicable out-of-state fees will be waived) are provided. Students must pay their own comprehensive fees. One award per academic year is given. Nominations by a faculty or staff member by March 10 can be done here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0DIhaMEtQQ2ZLYF&Q_JFE=0. For more information on these and other funding opportunities, contact Christian Matheis at (540) 231-6529 or go to https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html.