Meetings/Workshops/Events:
1. ASSISTANTSHIP MANAGEMENT 101 TRAINING
Friday, July 20, 10:30am-12:00pm, GLC Room B
There are still a few slots available in “Assistantship Management 101” training for anyone new to the assistantship process or for those who would like a refresher on the process. Will provide an overview of policies and technical details of various administrative stages of an assistantship and the responsibilities of departments, students, and the Graduate School from the time a position is offered through funding of the position. To enroll go to https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5vhP7ZujQ2kBN6B. NCR or satellite office faculty/staff members will be offered a separate training once it is clear how many people are interested. Please respond to the Qualtrics survey accordingly. If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu or call (540) 231-4558.
2. CREATING AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE GRADUATE EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT
Monday, July 23, 8:30am-12:00pm, Torgersen Hall 1100
This half-day session, led by Dean Karen DePauw, offers strategies and practices for faculty to create inclusive, affirming and globally diverse learning environments for graduate students. These strategies and practices range from the classroom to program considerations and include those for mentoring and individual interactions. This general overview will include identification of and response to implicit bias and micro-aggressions as well as the development of inclusive pedagogy. Go to https://app.nli.tlos.vt.edu/ to enroll.
3. HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS WORKSHOP
Thursday, Aug 16, 1:30-3:15pm, Inn at Virginia Tech (room TBD)
This workshop will provide an overview of the Graduate School’s recommended holistic admissions process, explore recent application and admission data, and identify areas academic units can consider for focused recruitment. Presented by Dr. Janice Austin and Kacy Lawrence. 1:30-3:15pm on Thursday, August 16th, Inn at Virginia Tech (room TBD)
4. ANNUAL ORDI RECRUITMENT AND DIVERSITY SUMMIT
Thursday, Aug 16, 3:30-5:00pm, Inn at Virginia Tech, Room TBD. Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators are invited to attend the annual Graduate School ORDI Recruitment and Diversity Summit (in conjunction with the university-wide Diversity Summit taking place at the Inn on 8/15 and 8/16). We will review recruitment and retention trends, discuss 2018-2019 recruitment efforts, and provide updates about diversity and inclusion initiatives coming up in the year ahead.
Administrative Announcements:
5. 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 intro to the role, the types of support available, 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 done. 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 at bryanh76@vt.edu.
6. WELCOME WEEK AND ORIENTATION FOR NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS
More than 1400 newly admitted students were sent an email by the Graduate School regarding our welcome week and orientation events during the week of Aug 13-17 and beyond, directing students to our online new student guide at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/getting-started-as-a-student.html. Welcome week (Aug 13-17) offers an information fair in the Graduate Life Center (GLC), and a variety of programs that help connect new students with people and resources on campus to make their transition smoother. The list of programs and events is available at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/student-life/events.html.
7. IMMIGRATION CHECK-IN FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS
New international students must check in with International Graduate Student Services for immigration purposes and view an online immigration orientation. Check-in is no longer completed in person; instead, students will be sent instructions on how to complete their self-check in online after they arrive in the U.S. See https://graduateschool.vt.edu/student-life/immigration-services/new-student-guide/mandatory-check-in.html for details.
8. VIRGINIA TECH GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATIONS
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) at Virginia Tech is getting ready for another academic year. They would like to send a representative to speak to new and returning graduate students during departmental orientation (Aug 13 – 17) to tell them about monthly meetings, small grants, events, and advocacy work. Presentations can be anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes long. Email gsa@vt.edu or contact President Samantha Fried directly at sjfried@vt.edu to schedule a representative.
9. FALL ASSISTANTSHIP APPOINTMENT PROCESSING TO BE COMPLETED ASAP
Please enter your 2018-19 assistantship and fellowship PAFs as soon as possible. The early entry of appointments and corresponding tuition awards will ensure that the student can:
* Sign up for payroll deduction prior to the August 10th payment due date;
* Have the out-of-state differential waiver applied to the bill prior to the August 10th payment due date;
* Open subsidy link for those who purchase the student medical insurance
