IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
- Spring 2024 Graduate Coordinators Information and Networking Meeting
Deadlines & Dates to Remember
- Powell Fellowship Nomination Period is Open
Policy Updates
Administrative Announcements
- 2024-25 Graduate School Fellowships
- GPD Checklist Draft Document
- Applications sought for Associate Dean position in DC Metro Area
- Spring Break Message from Dean Surprenant
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
- Spring 2024 Graduate Coordinators Information and Networking Meeting
Wednesday, March 6, 1:00-2:00 pm, Zoom
We invite all graduate coordinators for this spring meeting to share information and best practices. Featured topics for discussion include:
- Update from Student Medical Insurance office regarding changes to enrollment, billing and waiver process
- Updates from Cranwell International Center regarding new international student admission and arrival and other topics
- Changes to spring commencement ceremonies
If you wish to attend, please register at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtdeCgrjorG9RqO1o0vpkT520ClrIvqYgx.
Deadlines & Dates to Remember
- Powell Fellowship Nomination Period is Open
Applications are currently being accepted for the Powell Fellowship. For eligibility and nomination information please visit https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html. The deadline is April 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Please contact Dr. Catherine Cotrupi at Cotrupi@vt.edu if you have any questions.
Policy Updates
Administrative Announcements
- 2024-25 Graduate School Fellowships
Nominations for Graduate School Fellowships are now being accepted for the 2024-25 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page, graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html.
- GPD Checklist Draft Document
As mentioned in the February 14 GPD meeting, the Graduate School has been compiling a checklist to summarize the duties and responsibilities of Graduate Program Directors. You can access and comment on this draft at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TR-bE_UlfyoGoAt1bYWzpJ3Ig-04Lk0IzP9wTZNaDz0/edit or alternatively, email Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu. We welcome your thoughts and recommendations.
- Applications sought for Associate Dean position in DC Metro Area
The Graduate School invites nominations and applications from Virginia Tech faculty for the position of Associate Dean of the Graduate School in the Washington DC Metro Area. This is a senior-level position reporting directly to the Dean of the Graduate School, at 75-100% FTE (negotiable) for a three-year initial appointment that is renewable upon the shared desire of both parties. The appointment is to be held concurrently with a Virginia Tech tenured associate professor or professor appointment. The associate dean works closely with the Dean of the Graduate School, other associate deans and directors, as well as with Virginia Tech faculty and administrators to ensure excellence in graduate education, supports graduate programs and Graduate School initiatives, provides support for policy and governance, and promotes diversity and inclusion. For a full position description see: https://gs.vt.edu/dcad. To apply, send a letter of interest, resume or CV, and a list of three references to gsdean@vt.edu by March 29, 2024.
- Spring Break Message from Dean Surprenant
Dear colleagues,
Spring break is almost here and many of us are getting ready for some productive work in the lab or library during the break. I hope you also plan to schedule some time off for yourselves.
For our graduate students, spring break can provide a time to take a mental and sometimes physical break from courses, research, and assistantship responsibilities. Our graduate students are balancing these responsibilities as well as family and other life commitments. The mental and physical wellness of our graduate students are very important.
Students on a full assistantship are expected to work an average of 20 hours/week during their contract period although work-time may vary from week to week. The supervisor should have established clear performance expectations including whether students need to do work during official school breaks and other details. We recognize that many graduate students play important roles in courses and labs, and that work cannot always be abandoned for spring break; however, we do ask that the faculty work with their students to the greatest extent possible to minimize student duties during the break and, if a student must work, provide the opportunity to have break time in the weeks leading up to or just after spring break. I suggest that graduate students and their advisors/supervisors have a conversation around this issue and plan accordingly.
Please join me in helping our graduate students get the rejuvenating breaks they deserve so they can come back to the rest of the semester refreshed and ready to contribute to our research and scholarship.
Happy break! Aimée