April 1, 2019

IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS

Administrative Announcements:
2. ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
3. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT GROUP
4. NEW PROCEDURES FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT REQUESTS
5. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
6. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT

Deadlines/Dates to Remember:
APR 11: PhD/EdD ETD submission deadline to participate in spring commencement

Meetings/Workshops/Events:
2. HOW TO USE iTHENTICATE – TRAINING SESSIONS
Tuesday, April 9, 7:00pm-8:00pm via Zoom Room 5402318316
Tuesday, April 16, 3:00pm-4:00pm in GLC C
The Graduate School is offering training sessions on how graduate students will use iThenticate, a newly available software system, to review the originality of documents, ensure accurate attribution to other authors, and eliminate occurrences of potential plagiarism. Please attend only one session if you are interested; registration at https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/ by searching for “iThenticate” in the search box.

Administrative Announcements:
ATTENTION! GRADUATE CATALOG EDITORS
The cycle to edit for catalog year 2019-2020 has begun. Those receiving notification from the system are responsible for content. You must review and submit content, even if the content will not be updated. The deadline to submit is Friday, 31 May 2019.

ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT GROUP
The Assistantship Management Group (AMG) is a listserv that sends out a bulletin on a regular basis, as well as periodic updates, with information on important deadlines and the administration of graduate assistantships, including creating contracts, entering PAFs, awarding tuition, and funding. If you have someone in your department who is not yet on this listserv who would benefit from receiving it, please email amg-g@vt.edu to request they be added.

3. NEW PROCEDURES FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT REQUESTS
Effective immediately, newly admitted international graduate students are asked to upload their financial and immigration documents in the IntlHokies portal. This replaces the previous method of submitting them through the admission application portal, by fax or in person. Document upload through the IntlHokies portal will reduce processing time so that students may receive their I-20 or DS-2019 form faster. We encourage Graduate Coordinators to review the details about the new process available at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/student-life/immigration-services/new-student-guide.html. Please make sure to refer new student inquiries to this website. If you have any questions about this new process, contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu; 231-9564.

4. POWELL FELLOWSHIP
Applications are currently being accepted for the Powell Fellowship. For eligibility and nomination information please visit  https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school/powell-fellowship.html. Nominations due by April 2, 2019. Please contact Shernita Lee at shernita@vt.edu with questions or concerns.

5. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING GRAD DEGREES AT VT
The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policy recently approved a new requirement for students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech: an inclusion and diversity education component as part of their studies. This requirement aligns with the Graduate School’s goal of providing all students with an affirming, inclusive, and diverse education program that helps prepare them for the challenges they will meet in their post-graduation careers. Four topics must be included in the plans: the University’s Principles of Community; the impact of personal actions and words; avenues of redress and shared responsibility as active bystanders to recognize and disrupt bullying; and a process of individual introspection and reflection leading to awareness of one’s own words and language. Other topics also may be included. Each program, department, or college may develop its own plan for meeting the requirement, and all plans must be approved by the Graduate School after submission by the unit’s Graduate Program Director or its equivalent. For more information about the requirement, including whom to contact for assistance and questions, please visit the Graduate School’s Inclusion and Diversity Requirement webpage at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/inclusion-diversity-requirement.html.