IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
1. Jigsaw Connect: “Holistic Application Review: Understanding Application Criteria to Make Better Admissions Decisions”
Deadlines & Dates to Remember
August 17, 2021: GTA Workshop
August 20, 2021: New Student Orientation
(please see Administrative Announcements for details)
Policy Updates
Administrative Announcements
1. GTA Workshop Requirement
2. New Student Orientation and Welcome Events
3. Raising Awareness of the Ombudsperson
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
1. Jigsaw Connect: “Holistic Application Review: Understanding Application Criteria to Make Better Admissions Decisions”
Monday, August 16 at 2:00 pm
Join us for our August session in our monthly series focused on Recruitment and Retention Support for Graduate Programs. This session is entitled “Understanding Application Criteria to Make Better Admissions Decisions” featuring John Augusto, Strategic Advisor to Education Testing Services (ETS). Register at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrceGopzosGNZKYm0D9zavtNg8bDcl1UWV. Email ordi@vt.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
Policy Updates
Administrative Announcements
1. GTA Workshop Requirement
Graduate students who hold a GTA appointment and have not yet taken GRAD 5004, a one-credit course required for all GTAs, must register for GRAD 5004. Registration will open on August 2 and students are asked to register before August 11 to ensure that they receive all the necessary details before Phase I begins on Tuesday, August 17, 8:30-4:00 with the option of participating in person or by Zoom. Students with a GTA appointment for fall were sent a reminder on August 28 about this requirement. Phase II sessions will take place throughout the fall semester. Please encourage your GTAs to register for the workshop as soon as possible. Learn more about the GTA workshop at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/courses-and-scheduling/graduate-school-courses/gta-workshop.html.
2. New Student Orientation and Welcome Events
New graduate students have been sent notice about new student orientation (https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/orientation.html) and other welcome events planned for the beginning of the semester. You can find the full message at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/content/dam/graduateschool_vt_edu/gsso/Welcome_message.pdf.
New student orientation will be on Friday, August 20, 9:00-10:30 conducted virtually by Zoom. For those of you who would like to meet new and returning students and Graduate School staff in person, we will be hosting a watch party in Owens Banquet Hall with light refreshments, followed by a social hour (10:30-11:30). Students are asked to complete a registration to indicate whether they plan to attend in person or by Zoom.
3. Raising Awareness of the Ombudsperson
Connecting face-to-face with students and the faculty they work with is one of the best ways for individuals to learn about the services the Ombuds office can provide. One way to do this is to allow 10 minutes for a short presentation during your orientation programs for first year students. These conversations will cover an introduction to the role; examples of how, why, and when to engage with this resource; and certain initiatives that the office is working on. Longer sessions built around specific skill-building topics in first year seminar courses can also be a good way to introduce this resource to your community. Additionally, speaking during a faculty meeting would be another way to increase awareness of the role with those that work directly with students on a daily basis.
If you would like to schedule a session or discuss other opportunities to connect with your students and faculty, please contact Bryan Hanson, Ombudsperson for the Graduate School, at bryanh76@vt.edu.